From the 4th to 7th November, the Merano Wine Festival celebrates its twentieth year with numerous “events within the event,” including foreign producers from around the world to emerging Italian companies and tastings of older vintages.
I have come to prefer this event to the VinItaly because it is smaller and limited to high quality producers and it attacts a higher ratio of wine professionals among the visitors. The event has always had a strong international vocation and offers a glimpse through the window of the best of European and worldwide production, confirmed by the presence on Saturday and Sunday of the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux, including 32 historic châteaux and their most prestigious products. This is always a highlight of the event for me not only because it gives the opportunity to compare a few different vintages from each Bordeaux producer, but the winemakers and/or owners are often there to answer questions personally.
From Saturday to Monday there will be a new section devoted to one particular nation, SOUTH AFRICA, whose most representative wineries will be present to describe their country, relate their oenological history and of course, extol the excellence of their wine production. This will give me a chance to taste and sample and make appointments for my up and coming trip to visit wineries in South Africa this coming January.
Merano Wine Festival also means food, or raw materials and unique products in the CULINARIA section. One hundred “masters of flavour” offer the best of Italian olive oil, vinegar, pasta, cheeses, meats, and of course chocolate. To conclude the perfect journey from raw materials to the recipes that enhance them, the GOURMETARENA will feature numerous guest chefs will competing in spectacular “show-cooking” challenges.
I am looking forward to the Merano Wine festival. It is always a great road to discovery and I’m able to research for articles on interesting themes!