This year should be better holding it in a hotel as compared to last year’s venue. I am surprised they are bolding trade and press only. The eye catching theme at VinItaly will be tasting of 2004 Brunello di Montaclino which 2003 was revealed last year. While I give the thumbs up to the range of exhibitors, what could had been more fortcoming was its exact list of exhibitors, not range of exhibiting wine brands where the more illustratious ones were absent in the 2007 set up.

I too understand the organizer stricter admission criteria and applaud their official stand. It was regrettable there were more consumers present than trade buyers. I do hope to see more Food & Beverage staff, the harder to reach sommeliers and wine trade, the right crowd, not Yum Seng drinkers.

In a separate Reuters article where now Italian wines are charmed by the Chinese market. I can understand why (The link is at http://www.reuters.com/articlePrint?articleId=USTRE4AA2R420081111). With the Euro flagging its way up and the European and American wine markets registering lower sales percentage, the lesser known makers are rushing their wares and offering to the hugely perceived wine market in China, particularly China’s Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. I wonder would middle class consumers bite? Frankly Italian wines in Shanghai alone are pretty costly, above the RMB$300 mark where most would hesitate to splurge on.

Just my thoughts, and have fun guys @ VinItaly in Bejing 2008.

Cheers.
Daniel Lim
Jiuwine.com