Organized by the Italian American Chamber of Commerce West – whose mission is to provide the business community with services, assistance, and networking opportunities -, the 4th edition of the initiative Vino California – Celebrating Italian Wine on the West Coast was held on May 14, 2014, in the historical Valentino restaurant in Santa Monica.
Italy is among the major wine-producing and exporting countries in the world, boasting over 2000 native grapes, each of them deeply rooted in the regional territory and wine-making tradition that inevitably affect taste. With a 30% market share, Italian wine continues to be a best seller in the U.S. market, which is the largest and one of the fastest growing in the world in terms of both consumption and production.
This year’s Vino California featured 32 wineries, representing 13 Italian regions and showcasing over 130 native varietals, among which Nero D’Avola, Amarone, Moscato, Primitivo, Franciacorta, Brunello di Montalcino, and many more. All of them are available in the market through the participating importers: Franco Wine Imports, Gruppo I Vinai, Guidi Marcello LTD, International Trade Source, Italian Wine Group, Ribevi Wines International, Tenute Chiaromonte, Terravino – Eurobiz, Vini Ciani, Vino Direct LLC.
Most of the featured wines were certified as DOCG (regulated and guaranteed place-name), DOC (regulated place-name), or IGT (with geographical indication on labels), according to the elaborate appellation system in use in the European Union. A few participating producers, like the Sicilian cooperative Valdibella, focus on organic vines and local wine-making traditions. Others, like Tiare, located in the area of Gorizia and imported by Vino Direct LLC, only produce a limited quantity of high quality bottles, approximately 100,000.
As confirmed by some of the exhibitors, particularly appreciated in the United States are sparkling dry wines like Italian Prosecco, usually from Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia regions. Yet the West Coast market is very peculiar and difficult to enter, especially for small producers. Therefore, in some cases like Gruppo I Vinai, a few wineries joined forces and entrusted their business development overseas to the same importer.
Despite the name, the event was also open to a few Italian microbreweries such as Mastri Birrai Umbri and 32 Via Dei Birrai. These beers are usually quite expensive, but they compensate with a wide range of flavors and a fun, colorful packaging. For example, the corks of beer 32 come in different colors and letters to combine, and they can even be used as a key ring.
Vino California’s unparalleled wine selection was paired with exquisite food sponsored by Di Stefano Cheese, Il Fornaio, and Principe Food.Ferrarelle, producer of the famous naturally carbonated water from the Campania region, quenched everyone’s thirst.
Hosted in such a cozy and elegant location, the expo was intended to present quality Italian brands and wine varietals not only to interested professionals, but also to the general public who had the opportunity to learn more about one of the symbols of Made in Italy.
Representatives of the local Institutions like Consul General of Italy Giuseppe Perrone and Commercial Attaché Elena Marinelli, as well as Letizia Miccoli, West Hooker-Poletti, and Lucia Peretti, respectively IACCW Executive Director, President, and Project Manager, were in attendance.
Special guest to the event was the Italian National Tourism Board (ENIT) represented by Emanuela Boni, to promote the upcoming Expo Milan 2015. Furthermore, ENIT is currently collaborating with the Italian American Chambers of Commerce in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and Miami to promote the initiative Epicurean Tours of Italy, dedicated to “the most authentic offers of Italian food and wines” as part of our rich cultural heritage.
It will kick off on May 27 and involve Q – Quality Approved Logo certified restaurants in the U.S., acknowledged by the Chambers of Commerce as leaders in Italian authentic cuisine and hospitality.
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