D’lynn Proctor
This year marks my 5th visit to the World’s Largest Wine Fair and 1st as the Somme of the Elite Graileys team.
Now for some of the readers who are unfamiliar or new to VinItaly, this is the countries trade show which exhibits all of Italy’s provences of wine that they have to offer. Over the course of 5 days, more than 200,000 people will cover an estimated 120,000 square meters of wine, food, and olive oil. (Almost like going to the Disney World of Wine). Pretty much every heavy hitter in Italy will be there: Lidia Bastianich, Roberto Voerzio, Angelo Gaja, Leonardo Locascio, Piero Incisa della Rocchetta, and of course many more. Thankfully, I hung out with a few of them, tasted with them, and enjoyed hearing of all their history.
This picture above is of me waiting for my first flight of wines at 9 am! The first half of the day included the wines of Moroder, De Angelis, Sartarelli, Saputi, and Mancini Rosella(plus about 10 others).
After an incredibly long day of tasting and walking and not to mention about 15 espressos, it was time for dinner. I hopped aboard the WineBow bus and we headed up to Valpolicella to Allegrinis’ estate. Now last year I managed to waltz upon the stage during dinner and grab a nylon string guitar and play, then have the rest of the band members come and join me and play a set, this year I was a little more tame and just enjoyed the evening. Blame it on the Amarone! This is a pic of the world famous Marilisa Allegrini, my friend, as I give her a great kiss on the cheek.
Off to taste and sell. Part 2 will continue tomorrow.
A Presto!