Thursday, April 20, 2006

VitignoItalia 2006 – Wine Tradeshow in Naples

The second edition of the Wine Tradeshow in Naples kicks off the 21rst of May. This is the only major wine show in southern Italy. The event is sponsored by the regional business promotion organization of Campania and the city of Naples.

Southern Italian wines are not as well known as central and northern Italian wines. There are numerous reasons for this, most dating back centuries and the unique characteristics of grapes grown in southern Italy. The climate is much warmer than other areas thus the grapes develop a higher sugar content producing much stronger wine. Traditionally these grapes have been cut into the production from the more northern areas to produce the desired alcohol content (it is all a question of sugar). This limited the winemaker’s expansion into southern Italy.

Local wines have always been produced and most recently, the last 40 years, they have produced some higher quality wines at very reasonable prices. It is also true that some local wines have always been of good quality; the whites of Greco di Tufo (Avellino) and Fiano di Avellino (Avellino), Falanghina (Benevento), and the reds of Lacryma Christi di Vesuvio (Avellino), Montepulciano d’Abruzzo (not to be confounded with Rosso di Montepulciano that is Tuscany), Taurasi and Aglianico del Taburno (Benevento). These wines have not received the respect they deserve due to the fierce competition with the wines from central and northern Italy.

Although there will be producers from all over Italy, VitignoItalia is an exceptional opportunity to get to know the wines of southern Italy. The show boasts over 400 producers and is open to the general public. The show is designed somewhat different than other shows. It has a single path, taking the visitor from one producer to the next, offering wine tasting and promotional information. Additionally the show has dedicated several areas for producers to meet with importers and direct clients.

Several conferences are also scheduled to discuss the business of wine, gourmet food and wine pairing, wine tasting and the coronation of the best wines of the show. Remember to taste the wine in sips, drink plenty of water and as often as possible eat something otherwise they will be rolling you back to the hotel.

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6 Comments:

Blogger a.c.t. said...

Montepulciano d'abruzzo is one of the most polular Italian wines in the UK, although is fading into obscurity as the new world and Spanish wines such a Rioja are more popular now.

3:16 AM

 
Blogger Tracie P. said...

i am SO there :) and i agree that southern wines are freezing in the shadow of tuscany...it's time to show the world just what this soil can produce, don't you think?

6:54 AM

 
Blogger Travel Italy said...

ACT - tastes are always changing and it is very important that the Italian producers continue producing great wines because the Spanish are doing a marvelous job with their wines!

Tracie b. - I agree, all of Italy has great wines, I am doing my part to help others to be aware of the numerous wines available. Italian Wine Guy suggested that you write an article for us on the show since I will not be able to attend this year.

11:31 AM

 
Blogger Tracie P. said...

ok! it would be a pleasure :)

2:56 AM

 
Blogger ginkers said...

Interested to read about this. Any plans for a feature on grappa? Over at my blog, the Grappa Diaries, we are big fans of the liqueur and always looking to read about it or convert people to its taste!

8:28 AM

 
Blogger Travel Italy said...

Ginkers, Thanks for stopping by.

I will be publishing shortly about a wine and distilled spirits (grappa) show in Milan and hope to talk about grappa as we look at the various wines of each region.

I think all of my readers would be well served to give Grappa Diaries a visit.

8:44 AM

 

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