After coordinating a wonderful example of team work that saw importers united in the name of Italian wine during the first leg of the China Road Show for the promotion of Expo in China, Vinitaly International is now nearly ready to raise the curtain on the 5th edition of Vinitaly Hong Kong: 119 Italian wine producers will be exhibiting 600+ labels from all over Italy on a 900 sqm area, with Tuscany and Piedmont dominating the Pavilion, each counting 16 stands out of the total 90 booths of this year’s edition.

After coordinating a wonderful example of team work that saw importers united in the name of Italian wine during the first leg of the China Road Show for the promotion of Expo in China, Vinitaly International is now nearly ready to raise the curtain on the 5th edition of Vinitaly Hong Kong: 119 Italian wine producers will be exhibiting 600+ labels from all over Italy on a 900 sqm area, with Tuscany and Piedmont dominating the Pavilion, each counting 16 stands out of the total 90 booths of this year’s edition.

During the three-day International Wine and Spirits Show (6 – 8 November), the Vinitaly Pavilion will be boasting a program that has never been quite so rich and engaging: always on the look out for Ambassadors of Italian wine in the world, Vinitaly International will be further enhancing its educational program with the first ever edition in Hong Kong of the Vinitaly International Academy (VIA), the new educational project launched back in February 2014 with the aim of explaining and broadcasting the great diversity of Italian grape varieties and wines.

On the 6th and 7th of November, Doctor Ian D’Agata, renowned wine expert and Scientific Director of VIA, will be presenting four Executive Wine Seminars including an overview of the different grape varieties and wines to be found in two of Italy’s most famous wine growing regions: Piedmont and Tuscany. A fourth Seminar, addressed to more expert members of the public, will instead be introducing 12 of Italy’s most iconic wines such as Trebbiano d’Abruzzo “Fonte Canale” of Tiberio winery, Pecorino IGT “Giulia” of Cataldi Madonna and Canaiolo Nero IGT “Locaretto of Fattoria Casablanca.

In addition to the VIA Seminars, the Vinitaly Pavilion will also be hosting a tight succession of guided tastings including the yearly appointment with the “Taste like a Pro” series of aspiring Master of Wine, JC Viens, who last year expressed his delight over the interest shown by Chinese people for Italian wines.

As last year, the Vinitaly Lounge will offer all attendees the opportunity to stop by and sip a cup of Italian coffee or experience a traditional 5pm Italian-style “aperitivo” by some of Italy’s top brands, Fabbri and Lavazza. The Lounge will also play host to a new special daily appointment, “Taste Only the Best with Luca Gardini”, who will be presenting each day seven of the top wines selected among the 50 Italian labels awarded by “Best Italian Wine Awards”, including the highest-ranking wine, Dal Forno Romano – Valpolicella Superiore Monte Lodoletta 2008.

A new Press Area dedicated to Expo2015 Milano will welcome journalists and bloggers as well as Vinitaly Hong Kong Media Partners, Vinehoo, Wine in China, Pinor Sommelier, Wine Luxe and Fine Wine and Liquor who once again have offered their invaluable support to Vinitaly International in its mission promote the greatness of Italian wines in Hong Kong. A special thanks also goes to Technical Partners, Cruciani, Ponente and Metadesign.

Living up to its sound belief in the power of social media, during Vinitaly Hong Kong, Vinitaly International will also be launching the first experimental version of its brand new App that will replace the traditional paper Tasting Notes at each Vinitaly International event around the world. “Vinitaly Hong Kong” will be soon available on iOS App Store and will offer users a complete overview of all Italian wineries and wines presented at the Vinitaly Pavilion during the Hong Kong International Wine and Spirits Fair. Additional futures include the possibility to post pictures, notes and videos and access all Vinitaly International’s social media channels.

Hong Kong still remains today the only place in the world that has entered into an agreement with the Chinese Government allowing wine imports to go into China under special tax reduced conditions and offering an attractive alternative to Europe were wine consumption is declining. According to a research carried out by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, after years of strong growth, the value of wine imports dropped 3.2% year-on-year in the first three months of 2014, but in volume terms it has grown by about 1.8%. Although New World wines are gaining popularity, Old World wines are still dominating the market in Hong Kong. Amongst these, Italy counts a 3,4% market share having recovered ground following a 5,6% downfall last year: during the first months of 2014 it has registered a 18,3% increase in terms of volume giving good reason to hope for the final months of the year.

About:
Veronafiere is the leading organizer of trade shows in Italy including Vinitaly (http://www.vinitaly.com), the largest wine event in the world. The 48th edition of Vinitaly counted some 155,000 visitors (+6%) in four days of event, of which 56.000 were international attendees representing 36% of the total. On 100.000 square meters, 4.000 exhibitors welcomed trade professionals, media and producers alike. The next instalment of the fair will take place on 22 – 25 March 2015. The premier event to Vinitaly, OperaWine (http://www.vinitalyinternational.com) “Finest Italian Wines: 100 Great Producers,” will unite international wine professionals on March 21st 2015 in the heart of Verona, offering them the unique opportunity to discover and taste the 100 best Italian wines, as selected by Wine Spectator. In 1998 Veronafiere also created Vinitaly International to develop a global platform for the promotion of Italian wine producers in foreign markets such as Russia, China, USA and Hong Kong.