Italian Taste Summit

For 2 days, on the 13th and 14th of April, Lake Garda again became a point of attraction of wine experts, buyers and wine writers from all parts of Europe, United States, Asia and Middle East, who came in search for new Italian wine explorations in order to bring new wines, knowledge and stories to their home countries and parallelly to contribute to their networking foundation.

The 5th edition of the Italian Taste Summit was hosted by the Masi Tenuta Canova (Lazise, Verona) and Le Possessioni Serego Alighieri (Sant’Ambrogio di Valpollicella, Verona) wineries, which have historical tight connection to Garda and Valpolicella. It should be noted that the Italian Taste Summit event is closed to the public and is accessible only by invitation and only to operators of the sector previously confirmed. The concept and organization of the event was done by a team of Italian and foreign professionals from the Wine Global Aspect – Miro & Co. agency, with the leadership of the guiding star Joanna Miro. The main partner of the Summit was a local bank Crédit Agricole FriulAdria – a banking partner specialized in services to the wine supply chains.

During the Italian Taste Summit 2022 the most identifying national wine producers showcased their best and recent vintages and shared their stories and strategies in the beautiful environment of the charming Serego Alighieri Tenuta, estate that has the longest historical, cultural and winemaking tradition in Valpolicella, dating back more than 650 years.

50 wineries of excellence, selected among the most representative in Italy, such as Masi Agricola, Endrizzi, Maeli, Onepiò, Ermacora, Panizzari, Ronco Margherita, Briziarelli and many others, in a private and stylish atmosphere, did their best to demonstrate their strong points and craftsmanship. All these wineries expressed high appraisal for their regions and terroir.

And that´s exactly what you have to do to stand out in competition in a post-pandemic reality!

On Wednesday 13th, an intense morning of wine degustations and seminars was elevated by the highly anticipated Bubble Party in the Sala Fruttaio, Masi Tenuta Canova, responsibility of chef Giacomo Sacchetto, who is now at the helm of his La Cru di Grezzana, about twenty kilometers from Verona, where he gives life to a cuisine that he defines as “refined, local, concrete”. Love and respect for the area and its products have led it to obtain a Green Star alongside the classic Michelin Star, awarded to restaurants that stand out for their attention to sustainability. Giacomo Sacchetto is the executive chef of the Masi Wine Experience.

The menu, strongly linked to the region and it’s raw materials, was created in combination with each of the 6 wines: Sauvignon Friuli Colli Orientali Doc di Ermacora, Piancastello Brut Riserva Trento Doc Classic Method by Endrizzi, Party Lugana Doc Spumante Extra Dry by Onepiò, Dilì Moscato Giallo Igt Veneto organic by Maeli, Quaranta Lune VSQ Classic Method Millesimato Extra Brut by Panizzari, and the starred chef Giacomo Sacchetto  has dedicated his creative mastermind to the course that accompanied it. The lunch was the crowning of the coherence and harmony between the philosophy of Sacchetto and Galluzzi (Masi) and the founding values ​​of the Italian Taste Summit: “love for the terroir”.

The dinner ended with the guests enthusiastically applauding the chef’s mastery!

After lunch all guests were divided into 2 groups, where wine buyers engaged in organized B2B meetings and technical tastings, while wine press operators adventured in vertical tastings of wine from the best vintages of specific regions and meeting the producers. All that happened in the Serego Alighieri Winery rooms.

On Thursday 14th April, the B2B meetings and technical tastings with wine sector guides continued. At the same time, organizers encouraged a dialogue involving local producers and international stakeholders, and this laid the groundwork for future collaborations.

For Drinks+ and the Wine Travel Awards, the Italian Taste Summit is an event not to be missed, not only to learn about Italian wine and to meet the professionals behind it – an event full of meetings, seminars and tastings was expected, but also to invest in new cooperation opportunities!

During the event Veronika Busel – WTA Managing partner made a pitch presentation of the Wine Travel Awards project and spoke with guests on perspectives on wine tourism in the post-pandemic world. The WTA team is ready to welcome on board new members of the WTA Community for the second year of campaign, 2022-2023!

Author: Veronika Busel