VitignoItalia is Here: Italy’s Wine Scene Shines in Naples with 2,000 Labels and Exciting New Activities, May 11-13, 2025

 

The countdown is on for VitignoItalia, Italy's premier wine event at Stazione Marittima in Naples from May 11 to May 13. This year, 200 wineries will present over 2,000 labels, bringing together producers, media, industry professionals, and wine enthusiasts to celebrate the excellence and unique terroirs of Italian wine.

“This year, we aim to elevate our event even further,” emphasizes Maurizio Teti, Director of VitignoItalia. “As we approach the 20th anniversary of our event, our desire to curate a diverse calendar that engages various sectors and professionals continues to grow. We want to highlight how wine is a versatile and complex product that can connect with multiple cultural expressions, from music to new technologies. This program of high-level meetings is made possible by the invaluable support of the Campania Region Department of Agriculture and longstanding partners like UniCredit, along with the enthusiastic participation of wineries that have increasingly viewed our event as not just a platform for excellence but also a space for dialogue and networking with buyers and industry operators.”

The lineup will feature major local Consortia, including the Consorzio Vita Salernum Vites and the Vesuvio Consorzio Tutela Vini, alongside significant entities from southern Italy, such as the Regional Company for the Development of Calabrian Agriculture and the Regional Institute of Wine and Oil of Sicily, as well as northern representatives like the Consorzio Tutela Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore and the Consorzio DOC Friuli.

As in previous years, VitignoItalia will host a series of meetings designed to deepen the conversation between wine and various fields. This includes a tasting itinerary in collaboration with Coravin and the guide to the best rosés in Italy, the 100 Best Italian Rosé, scheduled for Tuesday, May 13. This initiative aims to select musical compositions that best enhance the characteristics of each wine, creating a true sensory connection that opens new pairing perspectives. Among this edition’s exciting new features is the Winestour, an immersive journey that allows visitors to explore Italy’s most intriguing wine destinations through virtual reality. This experience will transport you into the cellars, allowing you to wander through the vineyards and take in the stunning views of each region.

“This edition aims to elevate our event not only in terms of content but also the quality of tastings,” continues Maurizio Teti, “with the introduction of the Privé35 glasses by Anima Cerve group. This added attention is dedicated to our visitors to enhance the wines being tasted, both at the tasting tables and during masterclasses. We are also continuing our efforts on the business side with the organization of an educational tour for international buyers, in collaboration with the Irpinia-Sannio Chamber of Commerce. This initiative continues our partnership with ICE, which contributes to enhancing our event’s prestige by attracting top professionals from around the world.”

In addition to the new events, numerous masterclasses focusing on notable wine regions from north to south will be held. Starting on Sunday, May 11, with Sicilian wines, beginning at 3:00 PM with “Sicilia enologica: vini e territori,” followed by “Le Bollicine di Sicilia” at 4:30 PM, and concluding with a Venetian bubbles masterclass, “Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco: the potential of the Glera grape variety” at 6:00 PM. Monday, May 12, will begin at 10:30 AM with a tasting dedicated to Calabrian denominations, followed by a session on underwater wines, “Jamin - the terrestrial tradition meets the innovation of the sea: UnderWater Wines, the positive characterization” at 3:00 PM. Then, at 4:30 PM, we will explore the wines of the Cantina del Taburno with “Bue Apis, at the roots of Aglianico del Taburno,” followed by a celebration of the Tasca d’Almerita winery’s emerald anniversary, “Forty years with immense love.”

VitignoItalia 2025 Program

Sunday, May 11

3:00 PM - Calipso Hall (Maritime Station)

Sicily Wine: WINES & TERRITORIES

Greetings: Vito Bentivegna - General Director IRVO Regional Institute of Wine and Oil of Sicily

Host: Gianni Giardina – Oenologist IRVO Regional Institute of Wine and Oil of Sicily

Tasting: DOCG Cerasuolo di Vittoria - DOC Sicilia - DOC Etna - DOC Marsala,

Nero d'Avola - Frappato - Perricone - Grillo - Catarratto - Carricante - Nerello Mascalese

****

4:30 PM - Calipso Hall (Maritime Station)

Sicilian Bubbles: A Consolidated Reality

Greetings: Vito Bentivegna - General Director IRVO Regional Institute of Wine and Oil of Sicily

Host: Gianni Giardina – Oenologist IRVO Regional Institute of Wine and Oil of Sicily

Tasting: Classic method sparkling wines - Charmat method sparkling wines - DOC Etna - DOC Sicilia - IGT Terre Siciliane

Catarratto - Grillo - Frappato - Nerello Mascalese

****

6:00 PM - Calipso Hall (Maritime Station)

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco: The Potential of the Glera Grape Variety

Hosts: Diego Tomasi – Director of the Consortium for the Protection of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore, Francesco Continisio – President of the European School of Sommeliers, Luciano Pignataro - Journalist

Tasting: Rebuli Angelo - Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Docg Brut Fonso Rebuli Rive di San Pietro di Barbozza 2024, Masottina - Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Docg Brut Rive di Ogliano 2024, Masottina - Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Docg Brut Rive di Ogliano 2020, Le Volpere - Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Docg Còl Miliane Extra Brut Rive di Premaor 2022, Le Volpere - Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Docg Còl Miliane Extra Brut Rive di Premaor 2020, Borgo Col - Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore on the lees Brut Nature 2023, Drusian - Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore on the lees Brut Nature 2021, Ca' dei Berti - Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore on the lees Brut Nature Ippo 2021

****

Monday, May 12, 2025

10:30 AM - Calipso Hall (Maritime Station)

Calabria

Hosts: Luciano Pignataro - Journalist, Gennaro Convertini - President of the Regional Company for the Development of Calabrian Agriculture

Tasting: A vita - ‘A vita rosé Cirò DOC, L'Arciglione di Cataldo Calabretta - IGP Calabria Rosato Alicante, Cantine Benvenuto - Celeste Calabria IGT, Cantine Viola - Rossoviola Calabria IGT, Antonella Lombardo - Ichò Calabria IGT, Librandi - Duca San Felice Cirò Rosso Superiore Riserva, Ippolito - Ripe del Falco Cirò Rosso, Terre di Balbia – Fervore Calabria IGP

****

3:00 PM - Calipso Hall (Maritime Station)

Jamin, Land Tradition Meets Sea Innovation: UnderWaterWines the Positive Characterization

Hosts: Emanuele Kottakhs - Cofounder Jamin Portofino UnderWaterWines, Tommaso Luongo - President AIS Campania, Marco Starace - President Jamin Ischia UWW, Luciano Pignataro - Journalist

Producers: Lucia Monticelli – La Pietra di Tommasone Estate, Luca Parenti – Tenuta Campo al Signore Estate

Tasting: La Pietra di Tommasone - Ischia Bianco Metodo Classico DOC Dedicated to the founder and Aphrodite Ischia Bianco Spumante Metodo Classico UWW, Tenuta Campo al Signore - Volante DOC Bolgheri 2020 and Volante DOC Bolgheri 2020 UWW, Tenuta del Paguro - Ostrea Rosato and Ostrea Rosato in Fundo

****

4:30 PM - Calipso Hall (Maritime Station)

Cantina del Taburno: Bue Apis, at the Roots of Aglianico del Taburno

Hosts: Luciano Pignataro - Journalist, Raffaele Di Marco - Winemaker Cantina del Taburno

Tasting: Bue Apis DOCG Aglianico del Taburno, Vintages 2004 2008 2013 2015

****

6:00 PM - Calipso Hall (Maritime Station)

Tasca d’Almerita, Golden Wedding 1985-2025 "Forty Years with Immense Love"

Hosts: Ivo Basile, Leonardo Vallone – Sales Director Tasca d’Almerita, Luciano Pignataro - Journalist

Tasting: Nozze d’Oro Bianco DOC Sicilia, Vintages 2023 2021 2017 2012 2008 2004

****

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

10:30 AM - Calipso Hall (Maritime Station)

“What's Cooking in Campania”

Hosts: Tommaso Luongo - President of AIS Campania, Luciano Pignataro - Journalist

Tasting: La Pietra di Tommasone - Ischia Bianco Spumante DOC, San Salvatore 19.88 - Gioì Spumante Brut Rosé Millesimato, Masseria Piccirillo - Prima Gioia Quality Sparkling Wine Brut Nature 2021 (32 months on the lees), Il Verro - Classic Method Extra Brut Sheep (30 months), Cantine Di Marzo - 1930 Classic Method Sparkling Wine by Greco di Tufo Millesimato Brut Nature, Fattoria la Rivolta - Ellenikos Spumante Rosé Brut

****

3:00 PM - Calipso Hall (Maritime Station)

Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso DOC Friuli and Piedirosso dei Campi Flegrei DOP

“Children of a Lesser Bacchus”

Native Tales of Ancient Origins from Friuli to Campania

Hosts: Francesco Continisio – President of the European School of Sommelier, Barbara Rosso – Consorzio DOC Friuli

Moderator: Giulia Cannada Bartoli – Food and Wine Journalist

Tasting: Annalisa Zorzettig - Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso 2023 DOC Friuli, Obiz - Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso 2022 DOC Friuli, Pitars - Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso 2022 DOC Friuli, Vendrame Vignis del Doge - Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso 2022 DOC Friuli, La Sibilla Wines - Piedirosso Campi Flegrei DOC 2023, Vitivinicola Iovino - Vigna Solfatara Piedirosso Campi Flegrei DOP 2022, Cantine Astroni - Colle Rotondella Piedirosso Campi Flegrei DOP 2024, Contrada Salandra - Campi Flegrei Piedirosso DOP 2021

****

****

5:30 PM - Calipso Hall (Maritime Station)

The Future of Campania Wine: Sustainability, Climate Change, and Development

Introductory Greetings: Maurizio Teti - Director VitignoItalia

Exploring the New Frontiers of Production Amid Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change: A Panel Discussion Focused on Economic Issues Impacting Production Choices from Both Environmental and Strategic Perspectives

Ferdinando Natali - Regional Manager South of UniCredit, Stefano Carboni - Professor of Sociology of Consumption and Eating Behavior at Tor Vergata University-Rome, Moderator: Simona Brandolini - Journalist of Corriere del Mezzogiorno

The Territory and Its Excellences: Presentation of the Guide “50 Niche Wines (But Not Too Much)” by Gimmo Cuomo. Introduction of the Wine Guide of Corriere del Mezzogiorno by Gimmo Cuomo

Gimmo Cuomo - Journalist and Food and Wine Critic of Corriere del Mezzogiorno, Vincenzo Mercurio - Oenologist, Franco Continisio - President of the European School of Sommelier, Tommaso Luongo - President of AIS Campania

Moderator: Simona Brandolini - Journalist of Corriere del Mezzogiorno

__

__

VITIGNOITALIA, The Show of Italian Wines and Wine-Growing Territories

Naples Maritime Station

Sunday 11th May: 2.30pm – 9pm

Monday 12th May: 2.30pm – 9pm

Tuesday 13 May: 2.30pm – 8pm

www.vitignoitalia.it

Sophia and Sirch - "Gli Amici" di Feudi di San Gregorio-Wine Tasting on the Run

As I mentioned in my last post, I had only a few hours at VitignoItalia a few weeks ago.  My mission, per se, was to taste wines that I hadn't tried before...or hadn't tried in a long time.  There was a stand, though, that I couldn't pass up.  One that has made me feel part of their large family every time I visit them in their winery, stop by their Michelin star restaurant Marenna', or see them on the road.  Feudi di San Gregorio.  I stopped by to say hello to familiar faces such as my maestro/amico Alessandro Palmieri, my sommelier course classmate Carmine Di Costanzo, and of course the ever smiling Antonio Fiore who was pouring that afternoon.  I asked Fiore for something new to me.  A white wine or two that I hadn't tried.  Was there something? I wondered.
Fiore reached into the ice bucket and pulled out a bottle .  A wine produced by Azienda Basilisco in the Basilicata region which Feudi di San Gregorio acquired a couple of years ago.  Bravo, Antonio.  I thought. This one I hadn't tasted, and I was very curious of the Fiano, Traminer, and Malvasia blend that I was about to try.  I introduced myself to Sophia Basilicata Bianca IGP 2011.  Sophia with her lightly intense and interesting aromas of fresh fruit that greeted me in that medieval Neapolitan castle that early afternoon.  Fresh. Friendly.  Flavorful.

Time to move on.
My eyes caught a few labels with a familiar name.  Sirch.  From Azienda Agricola Sirch from the Fruili Venezia Giulia region.  What were these wines ding at the Feudi stand?  Well, this winery is the brainchild of Feudi's agronomist and general manager Pierpaolo Sirch.  I'm a big fan of Sirch, so I was excited to get the chance to taste his wines made up north.  I quickly tried three of the whites.  The 2012 vintages of Sauvignon...

Ribolla Gialla...

and Malvasia...

Each wine was an excellent representation of the variety.  My amico Di Costanzo and I discussed this for awhile.  The Sauvignon tasted like a Sauvignon.  Ribolla Gialla a Ribolla Gialla.  Malvasia...the same.  And that's what you want when you open a bottle of white.  You want to degustare, taste, the grape variety...the territory.  You don't want extras.  At least I don't.  And sure, these were different than the whites that Sirch works with when he is in the southern vineyards in Sorbo Serpico at Feudi di San Gregorio.  And they should be.
That afternoon my wine tasting on the run was not only a time to catch up with old friends....it was also a time to meet new ones...
Sophia and Sirch...

Cantine Olivella -Sant'Anastasia (Na)- Wine Tasting on the Run

I was degustando that Sunday.  Wine tasting in  downtown Napoli during the 9th edition of VitignoItalia 2013  held in  the picturesque medieval Castel del"Ovo.  I didn't have a lot of time, so when I entered Sala B, I headed right towards a familiar face, smile, and winery. Angela Giordana and Cantine Olivella.  It's been awhile since I had a chance to talk with gli amici from Sant'Anastasia.  I was curious about the new vintage, particularly the whites.   Like their Lacrimabianco Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio Bianco D.O.CC. made from Caprettone and Catalanesco grapes grown in  rich vulcanic soil.  I began my degustazione noticing the light straw yellow color, the light white floral aromas.  Then I tasted.  Full, sapid, flavorful.  Flavorful?  Fantastic...with a nice finish.

Lacrimabianco 2012

I didn't have a lot of time, so I asked Angela to pour me the next white.   Emblema Vesuvio Bianco D.O.C 2012 produced with 100% Caprettone.  Caprettone (related to Coda di Volpe) really shows its potential in this wine.  The color is deeper, aromas are fresh herbal.  But as I took a first sip, a second, I then went for the third.  Impressed with the fullness, the smoothness, the flavor.  Wine pairing possibilities are endless.  Especially for warm summer  fish based appetizers or the whole meal for that matter.

Emblema 2012

Sadly time to move on.  I had time for one more white wine during my wine tasting on the run.  Angela poured me a wine that I knew well.   Kata' IGT Catalanesca del Monte Somma 2012.  Catalanesco 100%.  I observed closely as Angela poured.  It was hard not to be reminded of  my son and I helping out during their 2010 harvest. My first harvest.  Nose to the glass...a mix of young fruit and white florals.  My palate enjoyed the morbidezza-smoothness.  The flavors.  The full body.  The nice long finish.

Kata' 2012

One that I lingered on as Angela asked me if I wanted to try something else.  Their new reds such as Vipt Vesuvio Rosso DOC produced with 100 % Piedirosso.  Or maybe their Lacrimanero Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio D.O.C. with a blend of Piedirosso, Aglianico, Olivella.   Or maybe, since I enjoyed their Kata',surely I would be curious to try their VO Passito di IGT Catalanesca del Monte Somma.  
I was curious.  I wanted to try them all.  But I was wine tasting on the run. Which meant just one thing.  I need to schedule a Vineyard Hopping to Sant'Anastasia...and soon.
By the way, on my way out of the fair, I discovered that Cantine Olivella won two awards during the fair.  Premio Speciale per i Giovane:  Ciro Giordano  and the Medaglia D'Oro (Gold Medal) per i Bianchi for Emblema...
Congratulations!!

Sottozone...Fiano...Joaquin

Late Monday afternoon....1700 ish, May 23, 2011.Vitignoitalia. I was sitting in the front row in Sala Degustazione C of Castel dell’Ovo in Mergellina, Naples, waiting for a Fiano wine tasting to begin. But in reality, for me, this tasting had already begun. It began last year, June 5th to be exact, during Anteprima Irpinia. It was there where I met Raffaele Pagano, Joaquin, for the first time in a vineyard in Lapio (Av) as he poured me a glass of his Fiano.

But back to Napoli…back to the castle…back to the front row. Pagano was about to talk about his Fiano…two Fiano di Avellinos actually, that he has experimented with over the years. He used a word; Sottozone…one that has been used often in Irpinia. A term that basically defines a wine’s origins in respect to where the vineyard is located, down to the hectre. A spotlight on the territory. And according to Pagano, Irpinia is perfect for these types of experiments. Why? Each area is different in terms of climate, altitude, soil composition, sun exposition, etc., etc, etc,

So Pagano reintroduced me to Joaquin. Joaquin. A winery that loves to try something different. His cantina is practically a laboratory…Every year is different, so why not a different wine? Montofalcione…sottozone numero uno, was where Pagano started. Vino della Stella Fiano di Avellino 2009 DOCG. A wine with a beautiful golden color, thanks to maceration with the grape skins. Aromas were not the usual for a Fiano from Lapio, at least in my opinion…here was a nice note of minerality, salinity, closely followed by light fruit. Acidity, communicator/journalist Giulia Cannada Bartoli mentioned. Flavorful…It is a wine that doesn’t bore you. It can be drunk on its own.

Camparo…another area, sottozone, to be examined. And this would be looked at through a golden glass of JQN 203Fiano di Avellino 2007 IGT. Joaquin decided that for this wine, they would let it spend some time in wooden barrels. But not French oak. Acacia. A choice that Joaquin believed would not invade, but caress. Many believed that it gave it a something different, diversa. AIS Campania President, Nicoletta Gargiulia described aromas of honey, star anise. To the palate it was fresh, dry, warm, and persistent. That this wine was flavorful…with a good acidity.

Throughout the tasting, the conversation went from technical to casual. It was almost as if we weren’t at a formal a ‘wine tasting’ but in a living room, around a dinner table, or walking through the vineyards. Like when I first met Pagano almost a year ago. Tasting a wine…tasting a territory. And as we got up to leave, I still felt that this tasting wasn’t over. I’m not finished with Joaquin, yet.
I’ve still a lot to learn about sottozone…Fiano…and Joaquin…

Italian Version

VitignoItalia 2011, May 22-24th Castel Dell'Ovo, Naples

The Seventh Edition of VitignoItalia will be held at the beautiful medieval castele, Castel Dell'Ovo, May 22nd-May 24th in Naples. Three days of wine tastings, seminars, cooking demonstrations, an much, much more...

For more information, go to their web site at www.vitignoitalia.it

See you there!

Wine Remix: VitignoItalia, May 22-24, Castel Del'Ovo, Naples

VitignoItalia-WINE REMIX presents a unique format designed by Robert Baron and produced by Radio Capri La Costa Music.

WINE-Remix is a new approach to wine tasting that opens up an exploration of the senses,; a new way to hear the different notes on each wine.

For the first time a sommelier, a DJ and a VJ will lead a wine tasting  combining all our senses to the sounds of music.

It is promised to be an extraordinary sensory experience.  A journey through the sound of wine.

Each wine will be paired with a piece of music, a result of joint research between a sommelier and DJ professionals all with the goal of enhancing your wine tasting experience.

 The tastings will be held during the three days of VitignoItalia, in the Tasting Room, from 2000 to 2100.

Six wines…six songs…space is limited to 30 people.  Reservations are a must.

For more information, or to sign up, contact:

www.vitignoitalia.it tel. 081 4104533

press office Dipinto Studio

tel. / fax: 081 681505

Time Travelling Through Taurasi with Mastroberardino

It is not every day that one gets an opportunity like the one I had yesterday. The privilege to sit in on one of the most exclusive wine tastings at Vitigno Italia 2010. A horizontal wine tasting of Mastroberardino’s Taurasi.


An opportunity to try, side by side, my Aglianico in version Taurasi by one of the biggest names in Campania. The opportunity to listen to moderators such as Dario Pennino and Massimo Di Renzo from Mastroberardino, journalist Luciano Pignataro, and President Ais Campania Antonio Del Franco.

No front row for me this time…I wanted to be in the second row, to the left where I could experience the wine tasting from all sides. Appreciate the opportunity to sit among professional sommeliers, journalist, and restaurateurs. A chance to observe, absorb, reflect, listen, learn. And that I did. I watched how Gambero Rosso’s Paolo De Cristofaro took in the aromas of each glass, slowly, then would set the glass down and think about the wines. Fabrizio Erbaggio, Ciao Vino, was another person who I enjoyed watching. How he would wait patiently until he felt the wine was ready…important due to the age of the wines…then begin his wine tasting. Look at the glass against a white backdrop, smell, put it down, write a note or two, pick it up, smell again…no, not ready…wait…then taste.

The wines in order of service…

1) Taurasi Riserva 1968

2) Taurasi Riserva 1977

3) Taurasi Riserva 1980

4) Taurasi Radici Riserva 1997

5) Taurasi Radici Riserva 1999

6) Taurasi Radici Riserva 1999 (Cento Trenta)

7) Taurasi Radici Riserva 2001

8) Taurasi Radici Riserva 2003

Eight Wines, Eight Stories. Our moderators took us on a journey of each vintage, the challenges of each year, the satisfaction of the final product. Here are a few notes from the tasting…

In 1977, there was a lot of rain around harvest time. The age of this wine transformed the usual cherry aroma to one that was more concentrated as if in a jam.

1980-Once again, a lot of rain, but also an earthquake. In fact during the vinfication process, the winery lost electricity for a few days. Massimo Di Renzo, Mastroberardino’s wine maker, noted that this gave the wine that caramelized aroma. Dario Pennino “Ti vieni la voglia di mangiare” Paraphrased, while you drink this wine, you get the desire to accompany it with a meal. Pennino  said it evolves, then re-evolves, cambia e ricambia…changes and changes again.

This last point was well noted…Taurasi is a wine that transforms in your glass. The 1968 poured at the beginning of the tasting continued to show its diversity, its evolution during the 75 minute tasting. Taurasi is a wine that breathes, that lives.

1997- Luciano Pignataro pointed out that this was a new era in Taurasi, and for Mastroberardino. The Taurasi wine was only a DOCG for 3 years at this point. Massimo Di Renzo noted that the dry year brings out the perfect balance between the acidity and morbidezza (smoothness).

Two wines from 1999, the second released to celebrate the 130th anniversary of the winery. In these ‘younger’ Taurasis words such as ‘elegant, a complete wine, freschezza’ were spoken. These wines spent their period in the little barrique in respect to the earlier wines who spent time in larger barrels. Di Renzo, however , believes that this wine has plenty to share …with time.

2001 and 2003---young Taurasis, great Taurasis that, who knows, may be the stars of a wine tasting 30 years from now. Who will show that they, too have grown up as their older versions and have evolved with time.

That is the beauty of a wine such as Taurasi, a winery such as Mastroberardino. That is the beauty of experiencing a sitting like this.

Shiro Aka---Wine and Sushi at Vitigno Italia

Shiro-White
Aka-Red

Two new wines from Villa Matilde made exclusively for Kukai and presented by Mariaida Avallone (owner of Villa Matilde, President Donne del Vino, Campania).  Kukai, a Japanese restaurant located in downtown Naples.  THE place for all things Sushi run by Massimiliano and Monica Neri.
Together at Vitigno Italia for a standing room only wine tasting led by Michela Guadagno (AIS Campania TV, Professional Sommelier).

Shiro-a Falanghina that was described as sweet to the nose.  Smooth, warm, flavorful, with a particular lunghezza.  Aka- an excellent red made with Aglianico.  This was also smooth and well balanced.  The tannins were not heavy, so it was perfect side by side with the beautifully presented sushi.

In the end, I was sold.  Not only on the wines, which I expected to be excellent.  But I was impressed by the whole experience.  The sushi, the presentation, the appreciation from the other participants in the wine tasting.  (Neapolitans are a tough crowd). I was also impressed with the enthusiasm and creativity of  Massimilano and Monica--an excellent example of young, enthusiastic entrepreneurs.  Bravi

Don't Miss the Bus!!!

Hop on the bus!


On Friday, May 14, a red London double decker bus will be in Vomero on Via Luca Giordano from 1730-2030. Inside--AIS Napoli sommeliers serving THE best red and white Campania wines. Can’t make it Friday? On Saturday and Sunday, you’ll spot in going up and down the lungo mare making brief stops at Rotonda Diaz---Destination-Vitigno Italia which kicks off on Sunday, May 16th.



Don’t Miss It!!!

May 2010-Wine Month in My Campania

Campania has dedicated an entire month  to the wine world with events in historical locations, appointments in cantinas, and wine tastings. A month of exciting events  cross-linking wine, art, design and luxury. From the Isola Verde of Ischia to verde Irpinia, passing through the city of Naples and Caserta Palace, all the way to the archaeological site of Pompeii. A whirlwind schedule of events are planned to celebrate good wines from my Campania. The calendar, sponsored by the Assessorato all’Agricoltura di Regione Campania,  from 6 May to 8 June  stars i Consorzi di Tutela, the Strade del Vino, and the many associations involved in the promotion and enhancement of the winemaking world, including the Movimento Turismo del Vinoa and la delegazione campana Donne del Vino will close with a grand gala at Città del Gusto Napoli. The heart of Wine Month is VitignoItalia held in Naples, Castel dell 'Ovo, May 16 to 18 with over 300 wineries from across Italy on hand for a wine show, B2B meetings, tastings and workshops.


The Calendar:

May 6: Presentation of Cantine Aperte. Prepared by the Movimento Turismo del Vino della Campania.
La Feltrinelli, Piazza dei Martiri. http://www.movimentoturismodelvino.it/

May 7 to 9: Ischia, Marathon del gusto. By the Strade del Vino Ischia

May 12 to 15: Wine & theCity
Naples, various locations. http://www.wineandthecity.it/

May 14: I Vini dei Vulcani,  
National Library of Naples, Palazzo Reale
Organized by the Consortium Campi Flegrei.

May 16 to 18: VitignoItalia
Castel Ovo. http://www.vitignoitalia.it/

May 16 to 18: un Tuffo nel Vino, an art event organized by the Associazione ArteNapolidaMangiare.
Sala Posillipo di Castel dell’Ovo.

May 22 to 23: The diverse wines of Sannio. Organized  by Consorzio Tutela Vini Samnium.

8-15-22-29 May Salerno, “Tra vino e divino. Per chiese e castelli”. Presented by the Enoteca Provinciale di Salerno.


15-16 and May 22 to 23: Pompeii, The great night of wine. By the Strade del Vino Vesuvius.

May 24: BiodiVino, selection of organic wines from Campania

May 29: Caserta, Wines of the palace. Royal Palace of Caserta by the Consorzio di tutela dei vini Falerno, Asprinio e Galluccio.

29 and May 30: Cantine Aperte- Movimento Turismo di Vino in Campania. Saturday 29, prologue at the Castel dell 'Ovo, Sunday 30th-tour in the cellars of the five provinces.

5and 6June: Preview Irpinia. Edited by the Consorzio Tutela Vini d'Irpinia.

June 8: Sorsi di Luna , Città del Gusto Napoli . Event organized by the Donnel del Vino, Campania delegation.

WIne Month is organized by Assessorato regionale all’Agricoltura

http://www.terrafelix.regione.campania.it/

Vitigno Italia-3 days of Great Wine, May 16-18

The dates are set for 3 days of wine tasting at Naples Castel Dell'Ovo.  The 6th edition of this amazing wine fair is an unique opportunity to try different wines from all over Italy in a beuatiful medieval castle on the bay of Naples.  The web site www.vitignoitalia.it is up and over the next couple of months will be updated with the list of wineries, press conferences, and other special events. I've attended the last three, and I can tell you it is not-to-miss!

Kate, Cythina, and I at the 5th edition of Vitigno Italia last May.