Merano, Italy is sending a positive signal to everyone, and in particular to producers, sector operators and the wine-loving public. Merano Wine Festival confirms the dates of its 29th edition scheduled from 6th to 10th November without radical changes to the traditional format, notwithstanding COVID-19 restrictions, guaranteeing the respect for the health and safety of the producers and visitors. Helmuth Köcher is therefore presenting a special edition, and showing that live events are still possible if very carefully arranged.
To comply with the social distancing and hygiene regulations currently in force, both producers and visitors will be given more space at the 2020 event. Times will also be organised in a different way, with entry in two different shifts, the first from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and the second from 2:30 to 7:00 p.m. The Festival will feature also with new digital contents, but with respect to the traditional ethos of the event. The theme of the 2020 edition will be focused on the Festival’s origins and entitled “Merano WineFestival, Back to the Roots”.
The space will be carefully divided and visitor flow precisely managed. In addition, to comply with health regulations, those attending will be required to wear a mask and have their temperature measured, with disinfectant facilities and a registration service at the entrance to the event. These are some of the new ways of organising the Merano WineFestival. In addition, all the producers and staff taking part will need to show a negative test result for Covid-19, issued in the four days prior to their attendance at the event, thereby ensuring a safe environment for the visiting public. There will also be a medical centre on site, and the option of having a Sanitary Gate at the entrance for sanitising purposes. In addition to announcements in relation to the emergency, Helmut Köcher has confirmed the festival programme and guaranteed that the price of tickets will not be increased despite the extra costs to ensure health security.
As normal every year, the event will include Naturae et Purae – the bio&dynamica section dedicated to sustainable production and natural, organic, biodynamic, orange and PIWI wines. However, this year it will take place over four days, with the producers exhibiting in shifts and two time slots for visitors. There will be something new at the heart of the event: Wine – The Official Selection will take place in the Kurhaus and will feature 122 Italian and international producers on 6th and 7th of November and as many again on the 8th and 9th. There will not be a link between the exhibition spaces in the Kurhaus and those in the GourmetArena, where Foods Spirits Beer – The Official Selection will involve the same system of dividing producers between different days, with shifts of 100 at a time. The WineHunter Area will also change and, other than the presence of the Kursaal on the podium, it will relinquish its usual display spaces and transfer to the lounges of Merano hotels. A digital lounge will also be created in this area, which will allow visitors to interact with the producers. Catwalk Champagne is also confirmed for November 10th, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with the world’s most famous bubbles accompanied by stylish culinary creations.
Added to this are digital innovations such as The WineHunter e-commerce initiative, developed in collaboration with Gruppo Volta, where you can buy the various products awarded by The WineHunter; and there is also a digital platform for conducting Masterclasses, designed together with Milano Wine Week. The Gala Event on November 5th will also change, with the screening of the Wine Odyssey teaser at the Teatro Puccini: a preview of the Wine Odyssey film project, the story of wine from its origins and into the future. And then there are such initiatives as Book Your Own Sommelier in live audio and video, with tastings for those who follow the event from home, and show cooking on-site and in digital form.
The 2019 edition, characterized by numerous exciting side events, involved more than 950 among the world’s and Italy’s best wineries, and more than 150 artisans of taste.
