What will Vinitaly be like?

While this may be a difficult question to answer, all operators in the wine sector will be looking to see how their world will react to the current, difficult situation we are living through. And Vinitaly will be a test case.

To define the current situation as complicated is but a poor euphemism to describe this period afflicted by a disastrous and dramatic war and a pandemic that is still with us. Trying to understand moments like these is particularly difficult and the world of wine is not immune to them. There are those who say we are seeing the end of globalization, at least in the form we have known it until now, and perhaps what we are seeing is the beginning of new era in which western nations will play a different role.

If we take into account that the western countries, for the most part European, are responsible for most of wine production and that exports are principally towards these markets, some may be tempted to breathe a sigh of relief.

I, personally, would not be so optimistic, especially in regard to the unpredictable evolution of events in the future that may aggravate problems in the trade and tourism sectors with all the repercussions these would entail.

In the meantime, there will be Vinitaly, in Verona April 10-13, which for the above-mentioned concerns will see a reduced participation of international players as well as a certain apprehension on the part of all those involved on how the world of wine will react and evolve. This will probably be a Vinitaly of transition, in part one of innovation, as was last October’s Special Edition, and in part traditional, even if the norms to avoid the spread of Covid will be evident, with everyone wearing masks indoors and showing their Green Pass, among other things.

We will have our stand, Vinitaly Tasting – The DoctorWine Selection, in pavilion 10 A4 B4, which will offer over 100 fantastic wines that one can sample from dispensers, and host a dozen or so seminars conducted by the collaborators behind the Essential Guide to Italian Wine. Those who want can come and see us, taste the wines with calm and attend, by reservation, one of our seminars (many are already booked up, unfortunately) as well as go and meet with producers at their stands after having sampled their wines with us. A time-saver to say the least.