Regional Institute of Wine and Oil

Vinitaly 2016, the 70% has closed new contracts.

A positive experience for the Sicily of Wine at the 50th edition of Vinitaly which has just closed its doors. It's not just a matter of perception but the first data, collected through a questionnaire given to the producers present, records its concrete success. In fact, satisfaction on the part of companies on a general level would be at 90 percent. And furthermore, 70 percent have signed new contracts.

 Satisfaction therefore for the Regional Institute of Wine and Oil, "we are convinced - comments Lucio Monte, general director of IRVO - that quality wines and territories recognized as UNESCO heritage can be a strong combination to promote our land. We aimed particularly at this in Verona. A promotion that is only the beginning of a journey aimed at realizing what has been started."

An aspect on which everyone, the Regional Department of Agriculture and trade associations, agrees. Realities present this morning during the press conference organized by IRVO and which was held at 12 at the headquarters in via Libertà in Palermo.

We took stock of the Vinitaly experience, also providing data on the Sicilian wine situation. A situation that gives a glimpse of a positive future: just think that the DOC Sicilia, two years after its recognition, has grown by 50 percent. Or that bottling recorded an increase of 8 percent compared to 2014, reaching 217 million bottles of PDO and PGI in 2015. In 2013 there were 165 million.

The conference was also an opportunity to present the new commissioner of the body, Marcello Giacone, to the press: “If this Vinitaly was successful – he commented – it is also due to the work of the IRVO officials who always demonstrate in the wine sector their professionalism and competence. I only recently took office – he added – so I reserve further statements for the future when I have more knowledge. Certainly among the priorities on the table are the 2016 budget and the activation of a three-year program".

The Councilor for Agriculture, Antonello Cracolici, was also present at the conference: “The Sicilian Region was undoubtedly among the protagonists of the 50th edition of Vinitaly. A result that has restored pride to our producers: now the time has come to put this success into action."

Among those present Dino Agueci, president of the Pro.Vi.Di. producers association, who placed the emphasis on greater interlocution between the department and trade associations, while on a technical level a repositioning and further valorisation of native vines: “We should make Nero d'Avola for Sicily what Prosecco is today for Veneto”.

Meanwhile, Vinitaly 2016 was an intense and eventful edition for Sicily with themes that focused on the quality of Sicilian wines, on the territories of this island recognized as UNESCO heritage, on the legacy left by the greats of wine, such as Giacomo Tachis, and on the new that advances with digital platforms linked to the sector.

In Pavilion 2 Sicily, always crowded, there were meetings, debates and tastings which recorded great participation from both professionals and the press, as well as enthusiasts.

At the forefront are Sicilian wines and their producers, and then industry experts, institutional personalities, researchers and great guests, such as Oscar Farinetti, founder of the well-known food chain of excellence Eataly.

From the e-book on innovation and sustainability created by IRVO to tastings of Sicilian wines and typical products up to the topic of PGI recognition for the island's extra virgin olive oil. This topic saw the participation, among others, of the Honorable Michele Giuffrida involved in the European Parliament in the approval process.

And again, there was talk of business networks for quality agri-food, wine, health and lifestyles, start-ups and viticulture 2.0 and new tools for the promotion of wine.

Producers and institutional representatives thus discussed targeted strategies to promote the food and wine, environmental and cultural excellence of the Sicilian territory with a common vision.

On Monday and Tuesday there was also a space dedicated to buyers. Coming mainly from countries such as Asia, North America and Northern Europe, they had the opportunity to get to know the Sicilian wine world in the context of the business area inside Pavilion 2 Sicily.

The same one that hosted the various events that took place during the 4 days.

Finally, success was also recorded at Sol&Agrifood with 34 participating companies, who were also satisfied with the experience. Piero Miosi, manager of the marketing area of the Agriculture department, present during the conference, commented: “There is no doubt that Sicily's oil has nothing to envy of regions such as Umbria and Tuscany. In particular, we are unbeatable on the quality/price front. But our weak point is the lack of aggregation."