Nice Palms

Vinitaly, the world’s largest annual Wine Fair is coming to Florida, from February 9 to 11, 2009.  Held in Verona, Vinitaly attracts over 4,200 exhibitors from all over the world and 150.000 visitors in it’s 5 day show to be held this year, April 2-6, 2009. 

Over the past 11 years, Vinitaly has been taking events around the world to give producers the opportunity to showcase their wines, get first hand exposure in markets around the world and to enable the latter to get an update on recent Italian wine production.  “Florida is one of the most dynamic markets in the United States with a continuous growth as the second largest wine consuming State”, said Marina Nedic, managing director of IEEM (International Event Exhibition Management) Miami, in charge of the organization of the Vinitaly Tour events. 

After a successful first edition in Miami in 2008 and several US Tour events in NY, Chicago and Washington DC last October, the Vinitaly Tour will return to Florida in February with the following events: 

Miami, February 9 and 10 – Seminars and guided wine tastings for trade and media, as well as a Grand Tasting, walk around wine tastings for trade and media, followed by consumers. Biltmore Hotel, Coral Gables.

Palm Beach, February 11 – walk around wine tasting for trade, media and high end consumers.

Italy is one of the most interesting wine producing countries in the world with a vast range of different indigenous grapes and unique wines. VINITALY US TOUR MIAMI 2009 will allow trade, media and visitors to gain a deeper insight of Italian wine as producers from different winemaking regions present the best of their production.

This year, the Know your Italian Wines contest held in collaboration with the South Florida Gourmet is open to all wine professionals and the winner will be flown to Verona in April to attend the Vinitaly 2009 trade show. 

Vinitaly US Tour Miami is open to all wine professionals (buyers, importers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, restaurants, chefs, sommeliers, hospitality professionals and specialized media) interested in networking with producers of quality wines, olive oils and typical Italian products. 

February 9 – Biltmore Hotel,

1200 Anastasia Avenue

Coral Gables, FL. 33134

Tel: +1 305 445 8066

10:30 am  – guided wine tasting followed by luncheon buffet

2 pm to 5 pm – grand walk around wine tastings for trade professionals and accredited media

5pm to 7pm – walk around wine tastings for wine aficionados 

February 10 – Miami Science Museum

4pm – educational seminar for exhibitors “Identifying Wine Trends and Markets into the 21st Century”

6pm – VIP cocktail party  

February 11 – Café Boulud Palm Beach

301 Australian Avenue

Palm Beach, FL. 33480

Tel: +1 561 655 6060

12:30 guided wine tasting

2 p.m. -5 p.m. Walk around tasting, free for Trade professionals and accredited Media

Entrance to all events, seminars and tastings is complimentary for trade professionals and accredited media. An entrance fee will be charged however to the general public. Special discounts are available to Biltmore Hotel Premium and Cellar Club members as below:

· Entrance fee: $40

· Biltmore Hotel Premium and Cellar Club Members: $25

For additional information about VINITALY, visit  www.vinitaly.com