Verona, the city of Romeo and Juliet, becomes the setting of another legendary love story: Vinitaly.

Vinitaly is the landmark event for the Italian and international wine world. The largest wine show in the world has progressively and increasingly become a mainstay even on an international scale by welcoming innovations and appealing to operators not only as a trade exhibition but also as a full-scale reference "event".

The visit to VINITALY provides an opportunity to learn more about Italian wines through tastings and discussions, to meet Italy's leading wine makers and to establish new business relationships with producers for those who are interested.


Italy is a treasure trove for the wine lover. If you are a fan of international varieties like Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet, Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Noir, etc., you'll find plenty to please you. If you like to try indigenous varieties, you won't have to look too hard to find something to pique your interest, whether it's a Nebbiolo, Barbera or Dolcetto from Piemonte; a Teroldego, Marzemina or Lagrein from Trentino; a Montepulciano from Abruzzo; an Aglianico from Campania; a Primitivo, Negramaro or Malvasia Nera from Puglia; or a Nero d'Avola from Sicily.

This year it was six memorable days from April 3rd to April 7th in Verona and a dream come true for me to attend VINITALY, the largest and most comprehensive international wine exhibition for the trade, with more than 4,500 exhibitors from 31 countries and more than 140,000 visitors from around the world, offering more than 70,000 square meters of stand space. Over 160 wine manufacturers with a long history of wine making attended from Italy. And as never before - since it is the only show focusing on all the needs of all operators in the field: producers, importers, distributors, caterers, technicians, journalists and opinion leaders.


This role has been developed over forty years of activity by accompanying the development of a sector that in turn has become the best ambassador of "Made in Italy" worldwide as the flagship of excellence in the quality agro-foods system.

VinItaly embraces traditional appointments alongside several innovative events designed to involve operators from all over the world. The impressive line-up includes: Tasting Express - international wines presented by leading wine-sector magazines; Taste & Dream - great historical Italian wines; Trendy today, Big tomorrow - selected companies investing in the future; Taste Italy, the tasting of "Lista dei Buoni 2006" wines presented to 5000 foreigners journalists and buyers; Designer Restaurants - outstanding performances by the best Italian chefs; Citadel of Gastronomy - interpreting the best regional Italian cuisine; the Haute Cuisine Area, trait d’union among High Gastronomy, Oil and Wine world; JRE On Tour Restaurant: every day three different chefs propose a special menu, while close circuits monitors show the "back stage" during cooking.


Though there’s lots to taste, unfortunately, the show's timing is horrid, falling at bottling time, which means that most of the wines being poured are freshly bottled, shocked to death, and very closed -- or they're barrel samples. Barrel samples are unfiltered and therefore not nearly as likely to be shocked (though they do get shaken up in getting to Verona). Their bouquets tend to be badly skewed, showing a strong predominance of oak if it was used, while the fruity/floral aromas that develop in the reducing environment of the bottle are weak or simply not there yet.


I got to visit many wineries, some of them with history of over 150 years. Marco Felluga, Bertani, Maculan were undoubtedly my favourites. Maculan winery is situated in the hills north of Venice. Fausto Maculan has done an amazing job. They are famous for their dessert wines; Dindarello and Torcolato can stand firm against the world’s best. Even his reds Fratta and Crosaro are exceptionally great ones. 1994 Le Lave was my favorite amongst the white, an unique blend of Chardonnay and Garganega grapes.


I even got a chance to visit Jacob Poli the great Grappa makers; where one can feel time has stopped, the visit to the Jacop Poli was one of my cherished moments.

I must say the wines made in this era are better ones and easily liked by consumers. The major reason behind such great results is the technology used for viticulture and vinification.

Of the countless wines I tasted in the fair I can count on my fingers few I may have disliked. Wines were like stars unlimited, each portraying its culture and terroir. Fascinating at times, I think, as its all coming from a small fruit called grape.

For a wine lover like me a country like Italy can offer a lot. What more can I say when you know they grow over thousand indigenous grapes apart from the classic ones. Undoubtedly, Italy has lots more to offer than any other Wine growing country in the World.

for indianwine.com

Sajan K.I.

Group Sommelier and Wine Columnist Savvy Cook Book Magazine.
Impresario Entertainment & Hospitality Pvt Ltd.