On Nov. 11, Palazzo Valentini will host the finals of the competition dedicated to Italy's best professional Wine Merchants and a panel discussion on the future of wine industry.
The finalists of the Best Professional Wine Merchant of Italy 2024 Competition will gather for the final on November 11 at Palazzo Valentini, in the heart of Rome. The Competition, organized by AEPI (Association of Italian Professional Wine Merchants), aims to enhance the figure of the Professional Wine Merchant, a constantly growing role that is attracting more and more young people, as shown by the finalists, most of whom are Under 30. This initiative not only celebrates excellence in the field, but also aims to encourage Wine Merchants to continuously improve, stimulating them to challenge themselves, deepen their knowledge and develop critical thinking.
The six finalists for the competition are: Daniele Liurni (Rome), Diletta Landozzi (Siena), Mattia Manganaro (Brescia), for the Bottiglierie category, and Silvia Angelozzi (Alba Adriatica, TE), Lorenzo Longhi (Milan) and Nicola Prestini (Brescia) for the Enoteca con Mescita category.
The six finalists in Epernay Champagne during their visit
During the test, finalists will have to deal with complex topics, requiring analytical skills, reasoning abilities and a solid technical background, functional to be able to answer questions in both Italian and English, combining listening skills, imagination, adaptability, empathy and sometimes knowledge of client psychology.
There will be two categories: the first dedicated to Wine Merchants who work at retail-only wine shops, and the other dedicated to those who serve in public establishments with sales and taprooms such as wine bars, wine merchants and taverns where wines and spirits can also be tasted.
Finally, special prizes will be awarded: Best Under 30 Wine Merchant, sponsored by the Chianti Classico Wine Consortium, Best Wine Merchant of Italy Abroad, under the auspices of the Consorzio Tutela Vini Friuli Colli Orientali.
The winners' proclamation and award ceremony will begin at 6:15 p.m., preceded at 5 p.m. by the panel discussion "The Role of the Professional Wine Shopkeeper: Today, Tomorrow and After Tomorrow," moderated by Carlo Hausmann. The panel will address the challenges and future opportunities of the wine industry, addressing topics such as alcohol-free wine, natural wines, overproduction and new consumer trends. Speakers will include representatives from Consorzio di Tutela Vini DOC Cirò e Melissa, Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico, Consorzio Collio, Consorzio Friuli Colli Orientali and Ramandolo, Istituto Tutela della Grappa del Trentino and Consorzio di Tutela Vini del Trentino.
Who is the Professional Wine Merchant?
The Wine Merchant is emerging as a complex and multifunctional figure, not limited to simply selling wine. In addition to advising on the choice of wine purchases, they organize introductory wine courses, runs private tastings, and offers personalized advice on winery management.
In addition, a Wine Merchant can estimate the value of fine bottles, operating in a market monitored by the LivEx index that highlights the strength of the industry even in times of crisis.
Finally, the Wine Merchant is an active communicator, collaborating with magazines, influencing social media and participating in wine competition juries, thus helping to spread wine culture.
The competition would like to express the sicere gratitude to Comité Champagne and Enoteca Regionale del Barolo for the innovative collaboration of the in-depth stages in preparation for the final in Rome on November 11, 2024.
The competition is under the patronage of MASAF, Ministero dell'Agricoltura, della Sovranità alimentare e delle Foreste and Citta Metropolitana di Roma Capitale.
Media partner of Miglior Enotecario d' Italia, edition 2024 is Allwinestories.com
Article Marinos Skolarikos October 30 2024
