It was three days of fair for real, not a “desert” event as someone had feared. Perhaps it was more intimate, characterized by a smart layout and Green pass access. However, Vinitaly Special Edition hosted 12,000 operators, more than 2,500 buyers from 60 countries, being the most important for the export of Italian wine, such as The USA, China, The UK, Canada, the Balkan countries, Russia, countries from Northern Europe and the most important European countries for the italian wine industry: Germany, France, Poland and Switzerland.
There were only 2 pavilions exhibition area (4 and 6) being used, which were occupied by more than 400 stands representing Italian producers: Arnaldo Caprai, Banfi, Bellavista, Bertani Domains, Castellare in Castellina, Cavit, Donnafugata, Cotarella Family, Ferrari Fratelli Lunelli, Feudi di San Gregorio, Fontanafredda, Marchesi Frescobaldi, Gruppo Italiano Vini, Lungarotti, Marchesi Antinori, Marchesi di Barolo, Masciarelli, Masi, Mezzacorona, Planeta, Rocca delle Macì, Santa Margherita, Sartori, Tedeschi, Tommasi, Tua Rita, Zenato and Zýmè. Thus, there was a partecipation from the most important wine producers in accordance with the target the organisers set for this event, while awaiting the 54th Vinitaly in April 2022.
The President of Veronafiere, Maurizio Danese said that:”Returning to exhibition is a fundamental tool for the internationalisation of Italian small and medium enterprises, that gain an average of 50% of their exports figures from business events. This social function for the real economy, given by the exhibition system is perfectly reflected in the wine sector, an authentic champion of Made in Italy, with an active trade balance of 6.5 billion per year, whose connective fabric is represented by small and micro-enterprises ..”
This is echoed by Giovanni Mantovani, General Manager of Veronafiere who conveyed that «we are living in a transition phase coming out of the pandemic, with a strong awareness that the wine sector has been able to react to the difficult economic situation focusing on innovation and quality. The world trade situation has come back to a positive trend and our information shows that the Italian wine industry is strongly rising in the main world markets … In this context, Vinitaly Special Edition represents not only a stage for the restart after a forced pit stop, but also a turning point. This is first decisive step in the direction of a renewed 54th edition of Vinitaly, already fully booked today, which from 10 to 13 April 2022 will host the entire wine sector in Verona».
In three days there have been over 10 appointments of conferences and market meeting, (domestic to international) and 50 tasting events for professional operators and buyers. These ranged – from organic to Orange wine up to mixology – the area that had its first year at the exhibition and that is found in HORECA a privileged distribution channel.