Federico Bricolo, president of Veronafiere
As is tradition, OperaWine has the honor of acting as the Vinitaly overture, with its grand tasting of the best Italian wines, selected by Wine Spectator, the prestigious American magazine partner of this initiative. At its 12th edition, OperaWine involves the participation of one hundred and thirty producers: each of whom brings a sample wine for tasting, representing the Made in Italy brand and chosen as an emblem of typicality and territorial excellence.
OperaWine is the only international event organized by Wine Spectator, considered in the United States the most authoritative magazine influencer on the stars and stripes market, a vital outlet for Italian wine exports which in 2022 recorded a +10% increase in value, and represents 23% of total exports.

Maurizio Danese, managing director of Veronafiere
The OperaWine super-tasting provides an important benchmark for the qualitative development of our wine in the strategic market of the United States. It is, therefore, with a great sense of responsibility towards the Italian agri-food sector that Veronafiere aims to intensify its business-oriented planning to make Vinitaly and the associated events around it, not least OperaWine, real brand-tools to support the international recognition of wine from our beautiful country. Results are already visible in this 55th edition of Vinitaly, thanks to the biggest promotional roadshow ever held, with 13 stops around the world, generating a record number of incoming buyers, among them a delegation of 200 operators and importers from the United States and Canada stands out. This particular focus on the North American area is one that we intend to consolidate with the launch of a new initiative in the United States in October.

But wine isn’t blue!’, remarked one observant wine “influencer” when we recently unveiled the water-inspired design concept behind this year’s OperaWine. Of course, we all know that wine isn’t blue, but how often do we overlook the centrality of water to the wine-making process? Aside from that rare biblical miracle, water cannot be turned into wine. Unlike beer or whisky, no water is added in the fermentation of grapes to make wine. Instead, the fruit itself provides all the liquid sustenance necessary to make the best wine. Nonetheless, water remains a crucial element in winemaking. Water is essential for the survival of all plant life. Irrigation is an ancient practice pioneered by early Egyptian viticulturists. Drainage and water retention remain central considerations in any vine-growing activity. While having too little water is detrimental to the prospects of the vine, too much can be just as damaging, as recent floods in Australia and New Zealand have highlighted. In this era of climate change and extreme weather events, striking that balance is a challenge currently facing wine-producers across the globe. So, this year we are delighted to welcome 130 top Italian producers selected by Wine Spectator. Coming from every region in Italy, they represent the very best that Italian wine has to offer. In front of an invited audience of up to 1,500 influential industry figures, they will have the chance to present their wine and tell their story. And, as a semblance of balance returns after the years of disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, it is right that we look to the future with a certain sense of optimism. But the subtle blue evocations of water that form the backdrop of the 12th Edition of OperaWine provide a gentle reminder as to the fragility of the vital ecosystems upon which our entire industry is built. With OperaWine 2023 we move beyond the “new normal” in search of that balance that has eluded us in recent years. Water perfectly represents that balance, symbolizing both power and grace, purity and wisdom. For many, water also represents rebirth and renewal. More than anything else, water has shaped our landscape and given life to our fragile ecosystems. As we look to the future, we celebrate its power and strength, reflect on its delicate fragility, and give thanks for its generosity that makes the miracle of wine possible.

Buon OperaWine a tutti!

Alison Napjus, Bruce Sanderson
Senior Editor, Senior Editor, Wine Spectator