The 32nd edition of the Merano WineFestival, set in Merano in South Tytol, Italy, will run from 3 to 7 November 23 with a strong focus on sustainability. «The pursuit of excellence in the world of enogastronomy is an ever-evolving journey, closely tied to the continuous advancement of technology and agricultural practices. Excellence must walk hand in hand with the respect for our planet’s fertility. Where humanity neglects its relationship with the land, the Earth responds with a series of disruptions we increasingly witness». These are the opening words of Helmuth Köcher, marking the commencement of the 32nd edition of the Merano WineFestival.
Sustainability is the keyword, as only by following this direction excellence can be achieved and surpassed, as attested by the new designations: ICONIC, UNIQUE, PLATINUM, and NEXT PLATINUM. The 32nd edition of the Merano WineFestival renews its commitment to the all-encompassing Sustainability Summit, “Breath and Cry of the Earth“, addressing the state of affairs following a year of WineHunter events centered on climate change, vividly demonstrated by this summer’s droughts and floods. This international event, a unique blend of enology and gastronomy, along with an array of side events, sets new standards for quality, elegance, culture, and business.
Sustainability: Merano WineFestival Echoes the “Cry of the Earth”
«Last summer witnessed a series of natural events such as droughts and floods of unprecedented intensity from a climatic perspective» emphasizes Helmuth Köcher. «From the terraces of the Kurhaus, historically the heart of the Merano WineFestival, one can almost see the eastern peaks of the Similaun glaciers, which are retreating year by year. In 2017, emerged the news that after 7,000 years of inertia, even the glacier on Mount Ortles began to recede. At the same time, viticulture is rising to altitudes well over 1,000 meters, while in the valley, scorching heat and drought make agriculture increasingly complex.» It is no wonder, then, that the festival’s patron, Helmuth Köcher, holds the Sustainability Summit “Breath and Cry of the Earth” close to his heart. This reflective moment defines the Friday afternoon at the Merano WineFestival. What are the proposed solutions to the ongoing consequences of climate change, particularly in the context of viticulture and agriculture? An international panel of experts will tackle this question, systematizing the material collected by The WineHunter and its collaborators over the past year, on Friday 3 November and Saturday 4 November from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m at the Teatro Puccini.
32nd Edition: Embracing Tradition and Innovation
The 32nd edition of the Merano WineFestival, set in the northernmost “City of Palms” in Europe, runs from 3 to 7 November. This year’s program features a return to the traditional format introduced by the festival’s patron, Helmuth Köcher. It begins with the bio&dynamica and GourmetArena showcase on Friday, followed by the central days of “The Festival” on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, with exhibitors present during these days. This is a return to tradition with an eye on the future. The new special designations – ICONIC, UNIQUE, PLATINUM, and NEXT PLATINUM – certify selections that exceed all expectations. There is increased space for international exhibitors, super Masterclasses within the framework of the Princely Castle, a dedicated area for “Luca D’Attoma: Journey Through Italy,” and the international Sustainability Summit, “Breath and Cry of the Earth.” The WH Buyers’ Club will complete the event’s program.
Beyond Excellence: “ICONIC,” “UNIQUE,” “PLATINUM,” and “NEXT PLATINUM”
“The Festival” section is traditionally dedicated to the special designations by The WineHunter Helmuth Köcher, taking a 360-degree look from tradition into the future. This year, Helmuth Köcher has pushed beyond excellence, already achieved with the PLATINUM nomination, for products that have achieved a score of over 95/100 in 2023. The NEXT PLATINUM classification includes products recognized with The WineHunter Award Gold in various categories, representing the promises of the future. “Excellence signifies the iconic representation of the territory, as well as the uniqueness of products born only under very particular and non-reproducible conditions. It’s a heritage that should be both protected and celebrated. This has led us to imagine new and specific designations: ICONIC, UNIQUE, PLATINUM, and NEXT PLATINUM,” explains The WineHunter. Two new designations have been introduced: “ICONIC” awarded to wines representing national and international excellence for a region and holding The WineHunter Award Gold. Wines produced by historic companies with at least 50 years of activity and present in the market for at least 25 years. On the other hand, “UNIQUE” certifies products considered unique in terms of vinification and/or aging, featuring special grape varieties, or produced under extreme pedo-climatic conditions, already recognized with The WineHunter Award Gold.
Festival Highlights: Must-Attend Events
The Merano WineFestival is like an extensive menu, catering to every palate. Choosing among the numerous events within and outside the festival is a challenging task. Starting on Friday, the not-to-be-missed super Masterclass featuring Luca D’Attoma, innovative enologist in the field of organic viticulture in Italy, takes place at the Kurhaus. Friday also brings the DNA Vernatsch Day, with nine local producers showcasing the Schiava Gentile, characteristic of Alto Adige. In the afternoon, the presentation of Riccardo Corazza’s book “Terradivina” takes place at the Palm Lounge of the Hotel Therme Meran.
Within the bio&dynamica theme, the Masterclass “Resistenti Nicola Biasi – The Wines of the Future” with Helmuth Köcher, Attilio Scienza, and Nicola Biasi runs from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.. On Saturday, the “Market of the Earth” is organized by Slow Food Alto Adige in Piazza della Rena at 10:00 a.m., followed by the Sustainability Summit “Breath and Cry of the Earth” at the Teatro Puccini from 1:00 p.m.. At 3:00 pm., Laura Donadoni presents her book “INTREPIDE, Storie di donne, vino e libertà” at the Palm Lounge. From 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., takes place the Masterclass “Excellence from Albania” by Cobo Winery with wine critic Luca Gardini. At 8:00 p.m., the GourmetArena presents a delicious dinner and a special showcooking with Antonio Tubelli and Umberto Mazza from Campania. On Sunday, the presentation of “Vini Buoni d’Italia” Guide takes place at the Teatro Puccini from 10:30 a.m.. From 11:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the “Sala dei 30” at the Hotel Therme Merano, a roundtable and Masterclass on “The New Philosophy of the Sensory Glass According to Italesse: The Importance of the Glass Culture to Enhance the Uniqueness of Each Wine” is organized in collaboration with Italesse. Following that, at 2:00 p.m., a Masterclass on Georgian “Qvevri Wines – Wines in Amphorae.” From 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Princely Castle, Roberto Camuto, Wine Storyteller, leads “The Story of Masseto”: a tasting of three vintages in a roundtable discussion with Lamberto Frescobaldi in attendance. Unmissable on Monday, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. at the Princely Castle, is the event “The Parallel Lives of Tignanello & Sassicaia” featuring Oscar Farinetti, Albiera Antinori, and Priscilla Incisa from Rocchetta, focusing on the vintages 1990/2008/2018. At 4:00 p.m., the “Premio Godio meets Premio Zierock” celebrates genuine cuisine close to the territory and a holistic approach to winemaking. The presentation of the “Osterie D’Italia” Guide by Slow Wine at the Cantina di Merano takes place at 7:30 p.m.. Finally, on Tuesday from 3:30 p.m. the “Emergente Sala 2023” competition awards ceremony takes place at the Kursaal of the Kurhaus.
