After running through Boston and before it goes to Miami, Italian Wine Week came to the New York Hilton on January 28th. During the event important winemakers from Calabria, Toscana, Lombardia, Veneto and Abruzzo introduced their products to the public. It was an occasion to taste some of the best wines in the world and to discover a few new ones.
The tasting occupied two floors of the Hotel in which, standing behind big tables, more than 300 producers offered their wines to the public, giving them the opportunity to discuss the quality and particulars of their products. The objective was simple: to improve the wine trade between the U.S. and Italy.
A notable "guest" was the Brunello of Montalcino, one of the best and most famous wines of Tuscany. Produced in the region of Montalcino, just south of Florence, and made with 100% Sangiovese grapes, this wine was the first to achieve the DOCG label for quality in 1980. The illustrious Brunello was brought to New York by the Consorzio of Brunello di Montalcino, an association created by the producers to promote their wine all around the world.
The event also featured a surprise appearance by what is called the
Sopranos [1] Wine, born from a joint venture between
HBO [2] television and Vesuvio Imports Co. Among other things, this can be read as a sign of how wine in America is becoming increasingly popular.
But walking between the tables prepared for the event, attendees also had the opportunity to see how much a bottle factors into the elegance of a wine. Take the “Diadema” for instance, with its bottle decorated with strass, or the “Fabrizio Dionisio” with a label depicting a heart growing from the earth, possibly a symbol for the passion the couple who offered it put into the production of the wine.
Wine Week 2009 was organized by the
Italian Trade Commission [3] (ICE) to promote Italian wine in the U.S. and to create an industry convention where wine producers could meet importers. The role of Italian wine in America began about 50 years ago, and in 2008 reached a market share of 28,2% over other imported wines, becaming first for quantity imported and second, after the most expensive French wines, for market value.
“In this moment of economic crisis, we think it is right to help our enterprise to confirm their presence in American’s wine market” explained Aniello Musella, Executive Director of ICE in the U.S.
“Events like Vino 2009 are very important right now” Paolo Boselli (Premium Brand) added, remarking on the current economic situation, “I believe in them, and we need to work hard on this kind of advertising”.
