Vinitaly, Verona,1 5 – 18 April 2018 – Active South African Presence

South Africa was ubiquitous at this year’s VINITALY, which took place in April in Verona, Italy. 

South Africa, under the aegis of AFRIWINES, the major importer of South African wines in Italy and the South African Consulate General in Milan combined to showcase Cape Wines.  Wines from Ayama, Cape Dreams, Dalla Cia, Diemersdal, Diemersfontein, Idiom, Linton Park, Morgenster, Savanha Wines, Krone, Whalehaven and Spier were presented to eager and numerous Italian wine operators. The Australian and New Zealand stand was kitty-corner to ours and the helter-skelter around South Africa was remarkably different to the more sedate reaction to our Antipodean neighbours. 

(left to right) Guido Invernizzi, sommelier and wine master, Marcella Uttaro (Trade Officer, SA Consulate General Milan) Evelyn Jell (Spier),Andrew Adams (Political Consul, Consulate General, Milan) and Fabio Albani (Director of AFRIWINES, Milan).

The Consulate General highlighted wine industry news and tourism itineraries in South Africa with notable success.  The Consulate General, in conjunction with Afriwines, also presented two wine tastings: “Discovering the wines of South Africa” and “Variety is in the DNA of South African wine”.  The presenter was the famous sommelier and wine master, Guido Invernizzi, who has an encyclopedic knowledge of South African wines.

The show is always a sell-out – 4,200 exhibitors and it was attended by 150,000 visitors and 3,000 journalists.

- Glenn Babb  -  Babrius,  e-mail babrius2@mweb.co.za