Buonitalia SpA and Vinitaly Mark Success in U.S. Market With a Series of High Profile Events During VINO 2010 Italian Wine Week

NEW YORK, Feb. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Buonitalia SpA and Vinitaly mark the close of VINO 2010 Italian Wine Week, the largest Italian wine event ever held outside of Italy.  The inaugural press luncheon and gala dinner for the wine trade — hosted by Buonitalia and Vinitaly — opened a well attended and exciting program of events.  The press lunch at the Waldorf Astoria followed a press conference organized by the Italian Trade Commission under the auspices of the Italian Ministry of Agriculture and the Italian Ministry of Economic Development.  The high profile gala dinner was held at Del Posto, New York City's most acclaimed Italian restaurant, and hosted by Joseph Bastianich — noted restaurateur, television personality, and wine expert.

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"We've taken great pride in showcasing the unparalleled quality and diversity of Italian wine during VINO 2010 Italian Wine Week," said Giovanni Mantovani, CEO of Veronafiere, leading organizers of high profile events in Italy, including Vinitaly.  "This extraordinary event, the largest of its kind outside of Italy, is the result of several Italian organizations and regional entities working together to promote Italian wine around the world.  The program, which included a wide variety of interesting events with key wine industry personalities, has been a great success."

VINO 2010 serves as a preview to Vinitaly 2010, the largest wine event in the world, held annually in Verona.  This year's event marks the 44th edition of Vinitaly.  In 2009, the event attracted 151,216 visitors, including 45,083 international attendees from more than 100 countries.

In addition to presenting the finest wines from the many regions of Italy, high quality, authentic foods were spotlighted during the week's tastings, including DOP and IGP products. "Our organization is dedicated to increasing awareness of authentic and indigenous Italian food and wine," said Walter Brunello, Chairman of Buonitalia SpA.  "Although the American consumer has become increasingly knowledgeable about regional products from Italy, presenting these special foods during such an expansive event goes to the heart of Buonitalia's core mission."

"We were happy to work with our partners at Veronafiere and Buonitalia SpA to make VINO 2010 the best expression ever of Italian wines in the U.S.," said Aniello Musella, Italian Trade Commissioner, Executive Director for the USA.

SOURCE Vinitaly; Buonitalia SpA