By Glynis Macri in Verona
One of the world’s biggest international wine shows, Vinitaly, opened its doors yesterday (April 7) in Verona, with a small contingent of Australian wineries in attendance.
Over 4000 companies from all over the world have descended on the city for five days to show off the latest wines and trends to over 150000 visitors.
This year the focus is on sparkling wine, with over 230 producers from the Lombardy region alone. Lombardy is the home of the Italian Classical Method (similar to Champagne).
Numerous Charmat Method wines will also be tasted allowing the wine lover to experience the best that Italy can offer.
Also on show this year will be the ‘Unity of Italy’ red and white, created for the 150th year of the Unification of Italy.
Red grapes and white grapes from every region have been brought together in two blends to celebrate this occasion.
The first bottle of the wine labelled Number 1, will be presented to President Napolitano in New York at a function promoting the exhibition.
A series of conferences and workshops will be held to help spread the knowledge of wine: From the vineyard to the shelf, Top flight NZ wines with screw caps, Hong Kong; a hub for wine distribution in Asia are just three topics that should entertain and educate the world’s press.
Although only a few Australian companies will be taking part, they have been invited to show a number of wines at a special tasting.
Presented by Peter Jackson, the tasting will show a number of wines from well known regions from all over Australia.
Not all of the wines are major brand names but the particular wines have been picked as superb examples of wine from their region.
Participating Australian wineries:
- Rosenvale Wines, Shiraz 2008. Region: Barossa
- Fox Creek Wines, Sparkling Shiraz. Region: McLaren Vale
- Koonara Wines, Cabernet Sauvignon 2006. Region: Coonawarra
- Poachers Ridge, Riesling 2008. Region: Great Southern (WA)
- Preston Peak, Shiraz 2008. Region: Granite Belt (QLD)
- III Associates, Shiraz 2008. Region: McLaren Vale
- God's Hill, Shiraz 2006. region: Barossa
- Simon Hackett Wines, Shiraz 2004. Region: McLaren Vale
- Rowley Estate, Shiraz 2002. Region: Central Victoria
- Mt Eyre Vineyards, Semillon 2010. Region: Hunter Valley (NSW)
- Pokolbin Estate Vineyard, Semillon 2006. Region: Hunter Valley (NSW)
- Sandhurst Ridge, Sauvignon Blanc 2009. Region: Central Victoria
Vinitaly will wrap up in Verona on April 11.