THE ITALIAN WINE CONSORZI VINO BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO, CHIANTI CLASSICO, NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO AND CONEGLIANO VALDOBBIADENE PROSECCO SUPERIORE LAUNCH NEW U.S. PROMOTIONAL INITIATIVE FEBRUARY 2010
New York, February 1, 2010 – The Consorzi Brunello di Montalcino, Chianti Classico, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore have joined together to launch a new multi-year U.S. promotion entitled “The Italian Wine Masters.” The program showcases more than 150 producers from these prestigious Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (D.O.C.G.) wine producing regions. Italy currently has 321 D.O.C. regions of which 44 are designated as D.O.C.G.
“This is a unique collaboration among four of Italy’s leading D.O.C.G. regions, giving us more leverage to market our wines outside Europe,” stated the leaders of the Consorzi at a press conference to present the Italian Wine Masters program. The United States is the first stop in a multi-year global program. Similar Italian Wine Masters tastings and seminars will be held in Japan in fall 2010 with more activities in other markets planned through 2012.
First year activities in the U.S. kicked off the first week of February with a tasting and seminars for wine industry professionals and members of the press in Chicago on February 1 at the Chicago Hilton and on February 4 at the Waldorf=Astoria hotel. Anthony Giglio, author of Food & Wine Magazine Wine Guide 2010 and wine columnist for the U.S. edition of La Cucina Italiana magazine conducted master classes in both cities. One session, entitled “Terroir, Diversity, and Complexity of Brunello di Montalcino, Chianti Classico and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, featured a tasting of selections from the three appellations of Tuscany. A second, entitled “The Evolution of Prosecco, Conegliano Valdobbiadene,” will showcase different styles of Prosecco wines from Conegliano Valdobbiadene and Cartizze.
Producers at the grand tastings featured their latest releases which included the 2005 Brunello di Montalcino (four star rating) and 2004 Brunello Riserva (five star rating) the 2006 vintage from Chianti Classico (five star rating), the 2006 vintage from Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (five star rating) and the 2009 release of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore, considered “outstanding” according to the region’s Consorzio. More than 1000 members of the trade and media are expected to attend the two events. For more information visit www.italianwinemasters.com.
