Vinitaly 2018

When you think of Italy, pasta, pizzas or nice weather may come to mind. That is also what Italy has to offer you, but did you also know that there are no less than one and a half million hectares of vineyards in Italy? And that that is comparable to three million football fields or 2.000 Olympic swimming pools? It is not surprising that an enormous wine culture has emerged in 'the land of wine', with the icing on the cake: Vinitaly.

Wine City of Verona

Vinitaly is an annual wine fair in Verona where Jan and everyone comes to. Every year in April, the city turns into a Valhalla for wine lovers. Winegrowers from all over Italy come together for a few days to present their latest gems. It's huge. Huge is almost putting it mildly. With more than 4.000 stands and around 150.000 fellow visitors, you'd think you'd be sipping red or white from a glass of red or white like sardines in a can, but it's not that bad.

Italian fun

The event is actually divided into two parts. The real fair, where even busses drive between the different halls to provide visitors with all the comforts, and the party in the city of Verona itself. The streets around the Arena fill up for a few days with people who don't necessarily understand wine, but do know about conviviality. Because that's what it's all about: fun.

On the road with the boy next door

The first time I went I thought, 'What am I doing there?' Sure, I always like a good glass of wine, but to visit a trade fair between all kinds of specialists who neatly spit out the tasted sip and then say that the 'aftertaste' is so nice or that there are 'notes of vanilla and grapefruit' in the wine? No, that wasn't for me. Yet I was taken to the fair by my Italian boy next door. He assured me that if I had been once, I would never want to go anywhere else.

I was sold

Long story short, he was right. When I arrived I was already sold. I got a purple bag for around my neck. Here, if I wanted to pause for a moment, I could put my glass right in. We walked through the streets of Verona and heard sounds of Eros Ramazzotti and Andrea Bocelli. On every street corner there were young men in shirts that were just too tight with snacks and you could have your glass refilled at every winery. The whole town smelled of wine, cheese and happy people, because we were.

Vinitaly 2018: from 15 to 18 April

In the Italian spring sun with a delicious glass of white scaia and matching snacks. What does a man want more! This year Vinitaly is from 15 to 18 April. If you also want to immerse yourself in the Italian wine culture, don't hesitate and just go and have a look. There is something for everyone. Moreover: Verona also has great other restaurants with Italian beers that we should not forget. I'm looking forward to it now!