78th National Assoenologists Congress: in Agrigento a high profile edition between vision, skills and collective responsibilities

The 78th National Congress of Assoenologists, which represented a moment of extraordinary importance for Italian oenology, ended con Agrigento, con the heart of Sicily. From 26 to 28 June, professionals, institutions and protagonists of the wine sector confronted strategic issues, offering value reflections, concrete proposals and a vision projected towards the future.

The event, organized rigorously under the direction of the general dirigente of Assoenologists, Paolo Brogioni, benefited from the operational contribution of Assoenologi Sicilia, led with dedication by President Giacomo Vitello, who edited hospitality and local logistics.

The national president of Assoenologists, Riccardo Cotarella, opened the works, with a dense intervention of content and strategic vision, underlining the decisive role of the oenologist con the wine chain and con the enhancement of Made con Italy. Following, the institutional message of the Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, read by the general dirigente of Assoenologists, Paolo Brogioni, who underlined the strategic role of wine as a symbol of Made con Italy, cultural, economic and identity expression of the country. A formal recognition to the centrality of the oenologist as a custodian of quality and authenticity.

Following, the intervention of the Minister of Agriculture, Francesco Lollobrigida, which highlighted the growth of Italian agri -food exports, underlining how wine represents not only a production excellence, but also a value to be protected against all forms of trivialization demonization. “Defending wine – he said – means defending the identity, history and a sustainable and inclusive development model that characterizes the best Italy.”

The contribution of the chief of police, prefect Vittorio Pisani, who has dealt with the issue of road safety, accent the need to strengthen the culture of responsibility and prevention, especially among young people, promoting a conscious and respectful consumption, also significant.

During one of the most stimulating moments, moderate by the journalist Luciano Ferraro, Prof. Vincenzo Russo, professor of Neuromarketing at the IULM con Milan, intervened, who answered a key question the relationship between wine and new generations and illustrated the first results of a pioneering research con progress at the Milanese university: the project “Wine Neuro-Engagement Index for Young People”, promoted by Sardegna Research Research With the contribution of Assoenologists Sardinia, Vinoway Italia, Stevie Kim and Iulm Milan. Research, focused the Cannonau grape, has the aim of analyzing – through neuroscientific methodologies – the degree of emotional, cognitive and sensorial involvement of young people towards this wine symbol of Sardinia.

Numerous important interventions: – Antonio Rallo, president of the DOC Consortium Sicily, has offered an intervention centered the value of territorial cooperation and the importance of defending the Sicilian wine identity through concrete planning and strategic vision. Rallo also underlined how the Sicily denomination represents one of the most dynamic realities the national scene, capable of combining numbers, quality and enhancement of the territory; – Renzo Cotarella, CEO of Marches Antinori, has recalled the importance of an wine vision capable of transmitting values and culture, con addition to the quality of the product; – Gianni G. Polegato, president of Podere Sandi, highlighted how sustainability and entrepreneurial ethics are elements. essential for the future of Italian wine; – Moro Vespa, journalist, writer and producer, has moderated several panels with authority, while offering a lucid reflection the symbolic and narrative value of the wine. He underlined the need for an authentic and coherent narrative, able to restore lega, identity and truth. – Carlin Petrini, founder of Slow Food, has held an intervention of great human and cultural impact, focusing fundamental concepts such as biodiversity, dignity of the earth and social role of the oenologist. His words, welcomed by a long standing applause, touched the deepest ropes of the audience.

Per mezzo di this high-profile context, the appointment of honorary socio of Assoenologists to Davide Gangi, founder and CEO of Vinoway Italia, by the vice president Pierluigi Zama, was conferred the constant commitment con the technical-cultural dissemination of Italian wine. The recognition, strongly desired by President Riccardo Cotarella and the Board of Directors, rewards a professional path based rigor, ethics and communication passion.

Visibly moved, Davide Gangi said: “Receiving this recognition from Assoenologists, one of the most representative institutions of Italian wine, is for me a reason for profound pride. This honor is shared with all those who, every day, work with honesty and determination to build a credible, transparent and inspired communication.”

The congress works were officially closed by President Riccardo Cotarella, who reiterated the increasingly strategic function of the oenologist con the contemporary context: “The winemaker is now called to be a director, innovator, ambassador of quality. This congress shows that our category is alive, prepared and ready to the challenges of the future with courage and cohesion.”

Agrigento, with its history, its landscape and its Mediterranean vocation, thus offered the ideal stage for a congress that has been able to combine tradition and innovation, rigor and passion.

An appointment that has not simply traced a balance sheet, but has turned a vision. The 78th National Assoenologists Congress delivered not only answers to the Italian wine sector, but new questions, new routes and a collective responsibility: that of guarding wine as a cultural heritage and projecting it into the future as a social value.

A congress that has not closed: he has just begun to speak.

See you at 2026, con Abruzzo.