May 4 – Italy’s most exported product is wine. With €5.1 billion in sales – up 1.4% compared to 2013 – Italian wine continues to advance on foreign markets. Ismea carried out an analysis on Istat data for 2014, and revealed a transition at the top of the largest importer rankings: one of the countries most interested in Italian wine is Japan, where on Monday, May 11 (from 6pm to 7.30pm) the Italian Cultural Institute in Osaka hosts the seminar “The art of drinking well.” Dedicated to all Italian wine aficionados, the event is sponsored by the Institute in collaboration with the Italian Sommelier Association and Accademia dei Vini. This year, the Italian Sommelier Association – a precursor of the method of combining cuisine with wines – turns 50; and its many years of activity, it has carried out important studies on wines and gathered a large numbers of associates. More than 300 Japanese sommeliers using the ISA method contribute to the spread of Italy’s wine culture. Also on Monday, the Italian Institute of Culture will host another seminar on extra virgin olive oil with Dr. Yoko Nakajima, qualified taster of AISO international. (Red)
