The world's biggest annual wine fair, Vinitaly, has just ended at Verona (13-16 April 2018), marking a triumph for Italian wine producers. With 36 countries represented and a record 4,380 exhibitors (130 more than the previous year), the Italian wine world continues to grow and blossom.
Italian wine is big business. Latest figures report a healthy export increase and some interesting new trends.
A hitherto little known wine that records the greatest increase in sales in 2017 is Grillo, from an autochthonous Sicilian grapevine (+23%), followed by the better-known Primitivo and the niche Emilia product Ortrugo. The top ten sellers with the most increased sales include Cortese del Piemonte, Passerina from the Marche, Pecorino from Abruzzo and the unbeatable time-honoured Tuscany favourite Chianti Classico.
An interesting new trend shows a consumer preference for organic wines. Italy is the world leader in this field,. Italy is also the world leader in bio-diversity with hundreds – if not thousands - of different vine stocks, many of which just waiting to be exploited.
Info: www.vinitaly.com.it
