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2006 VinItaly Show a Big Success

A "world" Vinitaly closed this evening after five days of contacts and contracts with buyers - up by 10% over 2005. International attendance came to 23% of the total 144 thousand visitors (143 thousand last year).  This result ensures that VeronaFiere - the organizers of Vinitaly - achieved the objective of the exhibition by meeting market demand and an integrated system for promoting wine on international markets.  Positive comments emerged while touring the 80 thousand square metres of net show area among 4,200 exhibitors from 30 countries.  The next shows  will be in May with Vinitaly Russia, in October with Vinitaly USA, and November with Vinitaly Japan and Vinitaly China.

Operative analysis, as regards the traffic and parking systems, indicate a significant improvement over previous editions, not the least in view of astonishing visitor and exhibitor numbers. The definitive layout of Verona Sud - home to the Exhibition Centre - within the PAT programme (local development plan) envisages the development of new traffic facilities.

Exhibitors were highly satisfied with the 2006 edition of Vinitaly, Lamberto Vallarino Gancia said.  "This year saw many more operators at Vinitaly, especially in export fields, and fewer consumers - and this ensure better quality contacts".  Over and above Italian clients, Vallarino Gancia spoke of attendance by operators from all countries, in particular the USA, Baltic countries, Japan, France, Switzerland and Indonesia, confirming the sensation of a recovery in the market that characterized the entire event.  "Only the United Kingdom," Vallarino Gancia pointed out, "involves significant competition by 'new world' countries and to overcome this challenge we must work on quality, territory and geographical indication - a patrimony we must promote while also keeping a close eye on prices."

Renzo Cotarella, Director of Antinori, said: "There is renewed faith in the world of wine and we are now looking at the future in a more positive light. It was a great Vinitaly," he added, "that involved the entire value chain - particularly qualified buyers and caterers, as well as enthusiasts."

Gianni Zonin congratulated the organizers.  “We saw even further growth in the show in terms of both organization, quality, and attendance," he said,  "thanks to efforts by VeronaFiere to ensure that Vinitaly is the leading sector event in the world."

"The best Vinitaly for the last 30 years, with excellent contacts and very good organization," said Angelo Gaja, while Sandro Boscaini of Masi confirmed attendance by more international buyers compared to the past.  "Even from areas such as the Caribbean, Central and Latin America and Asian countries such as Korea and Vietnam, that in any case are important markets; there was also excellent attendance by from Japan and India, as well as operators from North America, not to mention positive signals in Italy itself.  This year, in any case," Boscaini concluded, "Vinitaly was very realistic: good quality at the right price, together with products having territorial roots are the main factors in competing successfully even with New World products."

"We are delighted with this Vinitaly," said Etile Carpené Malvolti, "not the least because it was a very lively show. There was growing interest among operators; our international department was highly pleased, in particular by contacts with Germany, Switzerland, Canada, Russia and China.  The innovations were extremely welcome, since people are curious and open to new ideas."

Sisto Tessari of La Cappuccina - the Vininitesa Consortium grouping 10 companies in a single logistics platform - also highlighted the good quality of contacts, in particular on an international scale, led by the United States, Scandinavian countries, Great Britain and Japan.

Grappa producing companies were also highly delighted. "Operators from all world markets, both duty free and domestic, were also interested in grappa as an ingredient in cocktails," said Anna Gozio of Distillerie Franciacorta. "Operator quality was higher than ever and there was even great interest among women," said Claudia Mazzetti of Mazzetti d’Altavilla, who added that "Vinitaly is helping to create culture in the sector". Elvio Bonollo said: "We found a high level of awareness at Vinitaly - people are looking for unique and special products".  Luigi Odello, President of the Tasters Study Centre, said that Vinitaly is by now an essential for the world of grappa.

"Once again this year, ‘Grappa & C. Tasting’ involved thousands of tastings recorded on data cards, bearing witness to interest among visitors to find out more about grappa," Odello concluded. "Moreover, the second edition of the Vinitaly Grappa Tasting Award confirmed the prestige of this event and helped create even more communication and promotion around the Italian national spirit."