Regional Institute of Wine and Oil

Oslo, doubled attendance and debut of oil

Boom in attendance for the "Wine of Sicily tasting" which took place last February 11th in Oslo. Double the participation compared to last year. “This means – comments enthusiastically Michele Shah, organizer of the “trip” for IRVOS – that the bases built last year are giving their positive results”.

There is also talk of increased sales of Sicilian wines compared to 2012. The Sicilia brand is enjoying more and more success because it is becoming more and more credible and always improving in quality.

But here are some numbers: in total, one hundred and fifty-six industry experts and one hundred and six consumers participated in a single day. Forty-six importers, including product chef Mattias Hallin for Moestue Grape Selection; product manager Cecilie Sletbakk Uggen for Ekjord; product manager Anne Marie for Smith-Olsen for Vinetum AS. Forty-eight restaurateurs such as those of Trattoria Popolare, Dinner, Statholdergaarden, Cru, Ylajali and Nodee. Twenty-one journalists attended, including Tove Gravdal from Morgenbladet, Arnie Stalheim from Kikki.no, Nils Are Økland from Vinforum and Marianne Johnsen from Mat og Venner. And finally among the twenty-three of Vinmonopolet (the state-owned liquor stores), Monika Wessel – Central Buyer and Per Mæleng – Central Adviser.

During the presentation of the Norwegian market presented by Olivier Fauviel, director of the PR agency The Wine Tempter which oversaw the event with Michele Shah srl, “it was possible to notice that sales since last year – reiterates Shah – have seen a slight comeback for Sicilian wine, there is a lot of curiosity and interest. And it is also important - he concludes - that since Norway is a country governed by monopoly, the twenty-three presences of Vinmonopolet buyers were a signal of considerable importance". The moment of tasting Sicilian oils was also very important. A special seminar was dedicated which was very successful. And this can only be a good omen given that this year the IRVOS "trips", and not only, will see wine and oil made in Sicily "walking" together.