Can Italy be called a little paradise? Or is it a craddle of the ancient Roman culture? Or a country of love, pizza and wine?
I think all these expressions can be used to describe this incredible country which has given the world a huge amount of values, both material and sociocultural.
For instance, the wine and olive oil production in which Italy has the highest quality mark in the world. The country is on the list of the top three global leaders among wine exporting states.
Wine production in Italy is not simply a process but a true art, which today is a combination of rich traditions dating back to ancient Rome. Winemakers cherish these traditions passing them from generation to generation, owing to which the Italian wines preserve the unique taste and nature of the area where they are produced.
Verona's wine rivers
A trip to Verona, one of the world's most romantic cities, was a pleasant surprise. The homeland of the saddest love story is also the center of attraction for wine producers from all over the world.
This picturesque Italian city plays the host to the trade exhibition Vinitaly that takes place every year, a landmark event in the Italian and international wine industry. From year to year, the exhibition is growing more popular and acquiring a global scale. Here you can not only get information about the varieties and brands of wine you are interested in, andf about their producers, but also taste the wines, and attend seminars and lectures held as part of the exhibition.
Federico Bricolo, the president of VeronaFiere, the organization which holds this event, noted that Vinitaly strengthens its position in business and plays an increasingly important role in promoting of Italian wine in the international market.
"The indicators of the event, as well as the positive reviews of the companies, confirm the business goals of the current management of VeronaFiere and its firm commitment to the strategy of strengthening the Made in Italy brand worldwide," he said.
Vinitaly is a wide platform of 900,000 square meters, where Italian and foreign manufacturers introduce products that meet the most demanding requirements.
This exhibition gave us a unique opportunity to taste the most exclusive wines, learn much more about the specifics of production and varieties of this beverage and about the producers. Crispy bruschetta soaked in olive oil, tender prosciutto and gorgonzola cheese made an excellent complement to the wines we tasted, immersing us in the atmosphere of Italian culture.
Each wine-growing region of Italy is famous for its specifics that depends on local grape varieties, traditional production, and climatic conditions. For example, the most common type of Sangiovese is primarily associated with Tuscany, where the legendary Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino are made from it, but wines are made from it all over the country. Sparkling wine Prosecco, known to many in the world, is produced from the Glera variety, and in the Northeast, white, pink and sparkling wines are made from Pinot Grigio. The best companion of everyone's favorite pizza - Montepulciano d'Abruzzo - is one of the most popular red wines in Italy. Red wines that go well with fish dishes are made from the Barbera variety in Piedmont. The white variety of Trebbiano Romagnolo is mostly peculiar of Emilia-Romagna and is often used in the production of sparkling wines.
Verona is located in the north of Italy in the Veneto region, one of the country's largest regions in terms of wine production. Among the wines produced here, it is possible to mention the world-famous Valpolicella, Amarone, Rechoto, Soave, Prosecco, Bardolino. Sunny warm April days in Verona were simply unforgettable, with the medieval Romanesque buildings, gurgling fountains, stone paths on the one hand, and a noisy crowd of wine connoisseurs, stands with products of leading companies and conversations about Italian winemaking traditions on the other hand.
A little bit of statistics
According to the organizers, 97,000 people visited Vinitaly this year. The number of foreign delegates increased by 31% and reached 30,070 compared to last year, of which 1,200 are top buyers from 65 countries (+20% compared to 2023), who were invited by VeronaFiere and the Italian Trade Agency (ITA).
The United States retains leading positions, with 3,700 trade delegates from this country visiting the exhibition (+8% compared to 2023). Germany, Great Britain, China and Canada follow (+6%). This year marked a noticeable increase in the number of buyers from Japan (+15%).
Vinitaly Plus, the supply and demand matching platform, also posted a positive dynamics, with the number of business meetings this year having doubled and reached 20,000. A notable success was also recorded in the off-show Vinitaly and City event, where more than 50,000 tastings were held (+11%).
The statistics of the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) in Baku show that from 2021 to 2023, Italy was the leader among countres exporting wine to Azerbaijan. In 2022, the import of Italian wine increased by 36.3% and reached a total mark of €1.8 million (compared to €1.3 million in 2021). In 2023, this indicator reached €2.5 million, showing a growth of 32.9%.
Olive branch
Caressed by several seas from almost all sides and surrounded by the Alps and Apennines, Italy has the most favorable climate not only for viticulture, but also for the production of olive oil.
Along with Vinitaly, Verona also plays the host to the international exhibition Sol&Agrifood, which is fully devoted to the production of olive oil and other agricultural products of the region.
Olive oil has been produced in many regions of Italy since time immemorial. In the north of Italy, Tajaski olives are used to produce a beautiful light oil with a light almond aroma, while Cassaliva and Morayolo olives are used in the production of rich oil with a fruity aroma.
In central Italy, the Frantoio and Moraiolo varieties are commonly grown to produce spicy oils with herbal aroma. And in the south of Italy, where most olive varieties grow, their traditional varieties can be found in Abruzzo, Cima di Bitonto in Puglia, Ottobractica in Calabria, and Nocellara in Sicily. They generally produce a golden yellow oil with a tart and nutty flavor.
Sunny Tuscany is famous for the high quality and unique taste of the olive oil produced there. The products of this region are rich in the aromas of fruits and nuts, and also have a deep green tint, which gives them a special value among Italian oils. Tuscans have a special ritual to determine the taste of oil when tasting: you need to twirl and warm a container with liquid in your hands for a couple of minutes, then 'rinse' your mouth with it before swallowing.
In Italian cuisine, olive oil is highly valued and is most often used in cooking due to its healthfulness and moderate calorie content. Local manufacturers also use it as one of the ingredients in cosmetics and care products.
Sol&Agrifood plays a vital role for the development of Italian agriculture. By bringing together agricultural companies, food producers, restaurateurs and experts from around the world, Italians attract potential partners to establish business contacts and showcase their innovations, contributing to the growth of the country's export potential.
According to statistics from the Italian Trade Agency in Baku, olive oil exports from Italy to Azerbaijan have increased significantly over the past three years. In 2022, the total export of olive oil and its fractions amounted to €442,446, an increase of 27.3% compared to 2021 (347,460 euros). In 2023, this figure increased by 31.7% compared to 2022 and reached €583,097.
During the exhibition, we got acquainted with the full cycle of olive oil production and taste the products of various manufacturers.
The Days of Italian Wine, first held in Verona in 1967, over time transformed into the largest international exhibition Vinitaly. Today it is a platform for experienced and emerging producers and restaurateurs to expand cooperation, find new partners, demonstrate their products and increase their export potential.