Vinitaly, that's why you can't do without it. But it can always be improved

Once again this year, Veronafiere is preparing to kick off Vinitaly, a must-attend event for the Italian wine-growing sector and a highly renowned congress for insiders. However, many of the new generations working in this field, from sommeliers to young producers, have never attended the Verona exhibition, which still represents a reference point for one of the most important sectors of our economy.

To fully understand the wine market, it is essential to immerse yourself in the crowded atmosphere of Vinitaly. In this regard, a practical tip: do not go without a precise plan. Define in advance what you want to explore, be it an area, a grape variety or a production style.

Over the years, numerous alternative events have sprung up alongside Vinitaly, such as Vin Natur, Cerea or Summa. These events, while valuable, enrich but cannot completely replace Vinitaly. Some believe that these fairs can be self-sufficient, but in reality they only offer a partial view of the Italian wine world. For this reason, I believe it is essential to start with Vinitaly and, if necessary, supplement the visit with other exhibitions.

True, every year there are organisational criticalities, shortcomings in services and accommodation difficulties. However, the main challenge for Vinitaly is to transform itself into a more agile and modern event, taking inspiration from other events such as VinParis for example. Streamlining the formula and improving the experience for exhibitors and visitors would make the event even more effective.

I have no doubt that a foreign importer or distributor interested in Italian wine cannot afford to ignore Vinitaly. At the same time, I foresee a growth in fairs that are more focused on specific territories, although these remain partial events and are not able to represent the entire wine panorama.