Malcolm Jolley is looking forward t catching-up with the wine trade at the Italian Trade Commission’s wine show on Ocotber 28…
Andrea Pace pours Barberesco from Castello di Neive in 2018.
There is no room in Toronto, at any time of the year, with more Italian wine in it, from more diverse regions, made in more diverse styles, from more diverse producers from the very big to the very small than at the annual Italian Trade Commission trade tasting, this year on Monday, October 28 at Roy Thomson Hall. If I am in town, I don’t miss it, Here’s some of the reasons why I am looking forward to going this year:
- Alps to Africa (Terroir)
This is the great restaurateur Roberto Martella’s term for the breadth Italy’s wine producing terroir. This year’s trade show includes wines from (to use their Italian appellation names) Alto Adige, Abruzzo, Campania, Emilia Romagna, Fruili Venezia Giulia, Lombardia, Marche, Piemonte, Puglia, Sardegna, Sicilia, Toscana, Trentino, Umbria, and Veneto. There are very few wine shows can show that breadth and variety of climate and territory… or particular traditions… or grapes indigenous to specific locations. I love that I can refresh taste memory of everything from Refosco to Zibbibo under one roof. - Big and small (Technique)
This alludes to both the size of producers showing, and the character of their wines. Of course the Big B’s will be there from Barolo, Barbaresco and Brunello, from large houses and small, refecting traditional and new wave styles of wine making. It’s fashionable now to focus on small producers on the assumption that a focus on quality means a restriction on quantity. While that may be true in terms of things like yeilds from vineyards, the professionalization of winemaking in the 21st century means that big can also be beautiful. The trade show is an opportunity for big producers to bring their flagship wines to town, but also their special projects and limited edition labels. - It’s Fun
While the Trade Commission’s show is an edifying experience, especially if you attend a seminar (see below), it’s also a social event. It’s a great opportunity to connect and reconnect with people in the Toronto wine scene. It’s an even greater opportunity to connect with visiting wine trade. While there are always new producers at the show, some of whom will be unrepresented in Ontario, there are also many who come regularly. Meeting them in Toronto is a great way to make connections for future trips, personal or professional. The producers who travel with the show are the producers most interested in developing contacts with their export markets and will be generous with their time and happy to explain where they are from, what they do and how they do it.
Reminder: The Italian Trade Commission’s A Tasting of Wines From Italy is for trade and media only. To register click on the image below.
NEW: THREE SEMINARS ANNOUNCED
1) 10:30 – 11:30 Cerasuolo D’Abruzzo DOC, with Michael Fagan – RSVP Italian Masterclasses.
2) 12:10 – 13:10 Wine in Heritage Sites: to the roots of Friuli Venezia Giulia, with Michael Godel – RSVP Italian Masterclasses.
3) 13:50 – 14:50 Pinot Grigio, Stile Italiano. Small Producers Winemakers Tasting, with Nazareno Vicenzi, director of the Venezie DOC Consortium – RSVP Italian Masterclasses.
Please note the Taste of Italy Tasting and Masterclasses are for wine and restaurant trade and media only. Space is limited: please register only if you are sure you will attend. Good Food Revolution is proud to support the show in collaboration with the Italian Trade Commission.
