 Giovanni Mantovani, CEO & Director General of Verona Fiere says, "Growth for international operators is an evident sign of the trend on the world market. Moreover, despite the dramatic events affecting Japan, attendance by Japanese buyers held steady and Vinitaly in the World is considering a special initiative on behalf of the Japanese people, who hold Italian products and culture in such high esteem."
The fair has brought many new business opportunities, especially for the smaller companies. Lucio Mastroberardino, the wine producer from Campania and the President of the Italian Wine Union said. "We've seen an extremely dynamic event that generated major opportunities for contacts, especially for smaller companies. It is now up to companies to grasp the opportunities that this exhibition set in motion. There is also the spur to move forwards and be even more an instrument at the service of companies."
The sentiments were echoed by Lamberto Vallarino Gancia, a Piemontese producer and President of Federvini, when he said, "This Vinitaly smiled on business, thanks to international contacts and signs of markets in recovery. There is also a great deal of interest and curiosity for the 2012 edition that will have a new format as regards dates."
A favourable assessment was also made by the President of Zonin, Gianni Zonin who said, “optimal attendance, particularly over the first three days, with the international market proving to be very rewarding. On the other hand, we must work together on the Italian market to educate people about the diet and the culture of informed drinking to help eliminate the breathalyser problem."
"Vinitaly was a stage for Italian wine at the service of importers from all over the world," said Piemontese producer Angelo Gaja, adding, the export trend is up because customary Italian wine cellar exporters have helped create demand over time that is not only for their own exclusive benefit but then bounces back to Italy through importers seeking other Italian producers capable of supplying the same type of wines but less expensive, of better quality or more exclusive, less widely distributed ."
The increase in international operators was also accompanied by better quality: "International attendance," explained Enrico Chiavacci, Commercial Director of Antinori, "involved emerging and traditional countries alike. The latter demonstrated a new vitality and attention to innovations, as well as interest in wines suitable for daily consumption. We are extremely pleased about all this."
Positive signs were also seen for sparkling wines. Antonio Motteran, Director General of Carpené Malvolti-the premium Prosecco being imported by Aspri Spirits and Wines in India, said, "Vinitaly confirmed our positive sensations, with a further increase of interest in the order of 3-5% among international importers, especially from the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany." Veronafiere had set up ‘Sparkling Italy’ special pavilion this year, focussing on the Italian bubblies from different regions.
"Vinitaly is always a not-to-be-missed and enjoyable event," said Giuseppe Tasca D’Almerita, owner of the premium Sicilian wine estate. There's good energy and Vinitaly's desire to innovate is positive, not the least by proposing a change of days for the event."
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| Tasting with a Campanian producer |
Subhash Arora, President of Indian Wine Academy also attended the annual show, held normally during the first week of April but for which the change of dates is under consideration. He focussed on several B2B meetings with the producers of Sicily and Campania. Terming it as Mecca for Italian wines, he has always maintained that visiting Vinitaly must be on the things-to-do-before-I die list of any wine connoisseur for at least one occasion and this year could well have been that year-next year may provide yet another opportunity. |