THE 2020 SIMPLY ITALIAN GREAT WINES TOUR KICKS OFF IN TWO EXCITING MARKETS:
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA & MEXICO CITY, MEXICO.
Series of Guided Tasting Seminars, Food Pairings, and Walk-Around Wine Tasting for Press and Trade atthe Ritz Carlton in Fort Lauderdale and the Intercontinental Presidente Hotel in Mexico City.
MIAMI, FL (January 31st, 2020) – Simply Italian Great Wines Americas Tour returns for its annual trade tasting in sunny Fort Lauderdale, Florida and vibrant Mexico City, Mexico, to showcase the highly anticipated Italian wine portfolios.
The I.E.M. tradeshows’ signature format – educational seminars and walk-around tasting – is the strength of the tour, created to promote Italian fine wines and establish key relationships with the trade. Marina Nedic, I.E.M./I.E.E.M.’s Managing Director explains: “It is essential to continue to be present in the U.S. market and to monitor it closely especially during these delicate times. In the United States, the prospects of consumption are closely linked to the evolution of the demographic composition between the different generations. In fact, the forecasts for the next 5 years indicate an average annual growth rate of wine consumption close to 1.5% with an increase of consumption by millennials. Simply Italian Great Wines represents the ideal opportunity to introduce Italian winemakers to the new generations.”
On Tuesday, February 4th, the tour debuts at the luxurious beachfrontRitz Carlton Fort Lauderdale, capturing the U.S. market in one of the top five states responsible for nearly two thirds of Italian wine imports. The program features a series of educational seminars and tastings presented by distinguished experts in their respective fields:
10.00AM – 11.00AM “One Denomination, Three Great Wines: Asti, Asti Secco, Moscato d’Asti D.O.C.G.” presented by the Consortium per la Tutela dell’Asti D.O.C.G., and James Beard Foundation award-winning food and wine writer, Lyn Farmer
11.00AM – 12.00PM "Verdicchio, The Essence of a Land” presented by IMT- Istituto Marchigiano di Tutela Vini and Master Sommelier, Laura DePasquale
12.00PM – 1.00PM "Federdoc: Traceability & Regulation of Italian D.O.C. Wines. & Ricci Curbastro: Heritage & Innovation" presented by Riccardo Ricci Curbastro, President of Federdoc
1.00PM – 2.00PM "D.O.C. delle Venezie, Pinot Grigio Stile Italiano" food & wine pairing presented by the Consorzio Tutela Vini D.O.C. delle Venezie and renowned wine expert, Charlie Arturaola
2.00PM – 3.00PM "The Sparkling Life - Fresh & Fun Wines from Friuli" presented by the Consortium Tutela Vini D.O.C. Friuli Grave & author and wine expert, Lyn Farmer.
From 2 p.m. until 5 p.m., Simply Italian attendees will gather inside the Ritz Carlton Foyer for a prominent walk-around wine and food tasting. Producers from Italy's finest regions will pour their latest releases exclusively for press and trade members, amidst panoramic oceanfront views.
Participating Simply Italian Fort Lauderdale wineries and importers include an exciting array of the familiar and the new:
Ricci Curbastro/Rontana – Lombardia/Emilia Romagna; Baglio di Pianetto (with Top Wines) – Sicilia; Ca’ Tullio – Friuli Venezia Giulia; Conte d’Attimis – Friuli Venezia Giulia; Enoitalia/Enovations Brands – Veneto; Fontana delle Selve (with Top Wines) – Campania; I’m Fil Inc. – Florida; International Wine Group – Veneto; Jako Wine – Veneto; Officina del Sole – Marche; Prà della Luna – Friuli Venezia Giulia; Sacramundi – Veneto; Santa Elvira (with Top Wines) – Veneto.
Consorzio per la Tutela dell’Asti D.O.C.G. – Piemonte: Abbazia di San Gaudenzio; Matteo Soria; Mongioia.
Consorzio Tutela Vini D.O.C. Friuli Grave – Friuli Venezia Giulia: Antonutti; Cabert; De Lorenzi; Fossa Mala; I Magredi; Piera 1899; Tenuta Bosco Albano.
Istituto Marchigiano di Tutela vini – Marche: Belisario, Cantina Colognola/Tenuta Musone, Garofoli, Lucchetti, Moncaro, Tenute Pieralisi.
The tour will once again host the Enjoy European Quality Program, a 3-year promotion cosponsored by the European Community designed to increase the awareness and recognition of European quality products within the food and wine sector with wines promoted by the Consorzio per la Tutela dell’Asti D.O.C.G., cured deli meat from the Istituto Valorizzazione Salumi Italiani and cheese from Consorzio Tutela Provolone Valpadana D.O.P. within various cities in the United States.
Simply Italian Great Wines Fort Lauderdale is organized with the support of the Italian Ministry of Economic Development and in cooperation with the Italian Trade Agency. “The Italian Trade Agency is pleased to support the Simply Italian Great Wines grand tasting in Fort Lauderdale", Antonino Laspina, Italian Trade Commissioner. "Considering the growing interest in Italian wine also in secondary cities of the USA, we believe it is essential to support events that allow high quality Italian wines to find new markets and thus favor the increase in the average price of Italian wines in the USA. These objectives are perfectly in line with our training activity "Italian Wine: Taste the Passion", launched in 2019 to promote Italian wine in the United States, which still includes the following four cities in 2020: Los Angeles, Boston, Dallas and Philadelphia.”
Thursday, February 6th, Simply Italian Great Wines continues by meeting the Mexican trade in the luxurious InterContinental Presidente Hotel in the heart of Polanco in Mexico City with a series of guided tastings presented by distinguished sommelier Georgina Estrada, the newly elected President of the Mexican Sommelier Association Miguel Ángel Cooley, Federdoc President Riccardo Ricci Curbastro, esteemed importer Giovanni Orlotti and Masi Brand Ambassadors, Hector Melendez and Francesco Portello followed by a walk around tasting in the afternoon and ending with “THE APERITIVO" the classic Italian happy hour organized by Federdoc.
ABOUT I.E.E.M.: (International Event & Exhibition Management), the Miami-based branch of I.E.M. (International Exhibition Management), is a comprehensive agency specializing in marketing, events production and public relations for the wine industry. Driven by a passion for trade shows and a flair for flawless organization, I.E.M. was founded in 1999 by industry veterans Giancarlo Voglino and Marina Nedic. A reputation for reliably delivering high-quality events, coupled with its extensive network of wine trade professionals and international media, places IEEM/IEM among the most highly regarded Italian wine event organizers in the world. Learn more by visiting www.ieemusa.com.
RITZ CARLTON FORT LAUDERDALE: 1 North Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
INTERCONTINENTAL PRESIDENTE MEXICO CITY: Campos Elíseos 218, Polanco, 11560 Mexico City, Mexico
Wine trade and media are invited to attend Simply Italian by registering at this link.
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