And it’s a wrap. Vinitaly closed today its doors with another successful edition reaching 97,000 attendees. There was a slight increase in international operators from 140 countries to 30,070 (31% of the total), including 1200 top buyers (+20% compared to 2023) from 65 countries selected, invited and hosted by VeronaFiere in collaboration with Ice Agency.
Positive results have been also registered for Vinitaly Plus, the matching platform between supply and demand with 20 thousand business appointments, which doubled at this edition, and for the Vinitaly and the City off-show, which exceeded 50 thousand tastings (+11%).
For the President of VeronaFiere, Federico Bricolo, “Vinitaly consolidates its business positioning and an increasingly central role in the international promotion of Italian wine. Data from the event, together with positive feedback from companies, confirm the industrial objectives of the current governance of VeronaFiere strongly committed to strengthening the exhibition brand of Made in Italy wine in the world. The strengthening of collaboration with all institutional contacts, today in the front line with VeronaFiere in supporting the internationalisation of the sector, goes in this direction”.
In terms of international attendance at Vinitaly 2024, the United States confirmed its pole position with a contingent of 3700 operators attending the exhibition (+8% compared to 2023). They are followed by Germany, Uk, China and Canada (+6%). Japanese buyers are also increasing (+15%).
The extensive seminars and tasting programmes offered many highlights. From eroic viticulture in Aosta Valley and Liguria to the gems of Hungary and Georgia I was thoroughly guided through my journey by excellent sommelier who provided a clear narrative of what was inside the glass.
The highlight was certainly Decanter’s masterclass – led by Michelle Cherutti-Kowal MW on Rare Finds: A journey through Italy’s lesser-known varieties which illustrated the promise and the challenge for the future of Italian wine. A fascinating tasting experience to discover Italy’s less known indigenous varieties with 10 top-awarded wines from Decanter World Wine Awards. It was a small tasting, but a significantly emblematic one as each of the diverse wines tasted is unique and often overlooked. A really enjoyable experience.
The 57th edition will be held at Veronafiere 6-9 April 2025.
