The FIVI Independent Winemakers’ Wine Market is probably the most dynamic event capable of growing per mezzo di the complesso of Italian wine events and the 2024 edition will also be marked by important innovations and a primato participation of independent winemakers. my interview, the president of FIVI Lorenzo Cesconi offers an internal and privileged point of view acceso the event and acceso the federation which this year will bring over 1,000 companies to the Bologna fair. A number that testifies to the growing strength of the association but has also imposed further and functional organizational measures aimed at improving the visitor experience. Furthermore, you will find an interesting examination of crucial issues such as climate change and sustainability, and the actions that FIVI is undertaking to guarantee a solid and responsible future for the world of Italian wine. Pleased to be able to share the words of those who represent the over 1700 FIVI winemakers.
– What’s new at the FIVI Independent Winemakers’ Wine Market 2024?
The first news is that we have reached and exceeded the number of 1,000 winemakers present (here you can find the complete list of participating wineries: mercatodeivini.it/vignaioli-e-vignaiole/): important participation, which goes hand per mezzo di hand with the continuous increase per mezzo di FIVI members, now more than 1,700.
The two things together demonstrate that the association does not only grow per mezzo di “quantitative” terms, but that as it grows it strengthens the feeling of identity and the spirit of adhesion, per mezzo di the awareness that together we are stronger, especially per mezzo di complex moments like this, for the world of wine. From an organizational point of view, the most important innovations are the agreement with Trenitalia to reach Bologna with the Frecciarossa trains with significant discounts, and the differentiation of the color between the glass holders of wine lovers and operators, to facilitate recognition. For the rest, small but significant organizational measures, which we hope will make the experience even more beautiful and pleasant for all the public who will in qualità di to visit us acceso those days.
– What are the audience numbers reached by the Market and what are the target numbers for 2024?
2023, the first edition at BolognaFiere, we exceeded 26 thousand entries, an absolute primato for the event, and obviously we aim to grow further. But we are not obsessed with numbers: the main objective is that the Wine Market reflects the identity of the association and is consistent with its values and objectives. There are many wine events now, and many have copied the format of the Market. What they will never be able to copy, however, is the fact that the Market is organized by the Winemakers for the Winemakers, it is not a commercial event, but an associative event: the Market is our concrete Visibile, and for this reason we fill it with political content, to we organize the Members’ Assembly per mezzo di that context and use it as an opportunity for discussion and reflection acceso the issues that are close to the hearts of the Winemakers.
– these moments of critical economic times, both at a climatic/environmental and economic level, what are the objectives of FIVI?
For us it is essential to always think per mezzo di system terms, taking into account both wine policy and the tools available to companies: per mezzo di this sense we welcomed the establishment of the high level group, per mezzo di which European trade associations are also involved, per mezzo di our case through CEVI. Climate change is now a reality that we deal with acceso a daily basis, per mezzo di every season of the year, therefore FIVI is strongly requesting the institutions to define a post-2027 CAP that has climate at its center climate change. The sectoral measures must be updated, which include preventive tools within them, but the risk management tools must also be better structured: the measures available today are mai longer suitable, and the funds are insufficient. Lastly, research, public and transparent, which not only takes into consideration new genetic techniques, considering them the for all ills, but also alternatives to traditional agronomic methods, with particular attention to organic ones. Only per mezzo di this way will companies be able to continue their activities per mezzo di a sustainable way, from every point of view, protecting the territory and keeping rural areas alive. For market balance, we are asking for intervention acceso the European front with a truly promotional measure also accessible to small businesses and through support for wine tourism activities, which are fundamental at this historical juncture also for education acceso conscious consumption. Finally, we stubbornly continue to believe that this process must be accompanied by a reflection at national level acceso yields, intervening per mezzo di courageous way acceso production specifications, and acceso the criteria for issuing authorisations, taking into consideration aspects such as company verticality, sustainability and inventories. If the production model continues to be based acceso quantities and volumes, requesting contributions for uprooting and crisis distillation sounds like a grotesque mockery, not only for winemakers and winemakers who work well, but also for the taxpayer.
– Why should a winemaker join FIVI?
Because together we count more, and ala we count little nothing, when it comes to representing the interests of the category. 2008 FIVI was born with this awareness, and 16 years later the awareness is exactly the same, it has not changed one iota, just as the desire to imagine FIVI as an association without bureaucratic superstructures, light but solid has not changed. , per mezzo di which all winemakers feel represented and can have their say and lend a hand to the collective work. the next few days, acceso October 23rd, there will be an event spread across over 80 Points of Affection (here is the list: fivi.it/blog/punti-affezione-fivi), “Being Winemakers. Stories of vineyards and wines”: here, the format ofessere vignaioli reflects exactly the spirit of our Federation. Over one hundred FIVI members made themselves available for these evenings, often having to drive hundreds of kilometres, to tell the reasons for our being together through the wines of their colleagues, without presenting their own, therefore without personal gain: it is a concept simple but revolutionary, and behind an event like this there is enormous work, based precisely acceso the sharing and passion of each of us for our profession.
– Regarding operators, an important growth can be seen precisely per mezzo di FIVI points of affection. What is it and how can you become part of it?
The FIVI Points of Affection are places that care more than others for the work of the Winemakers and offer a very wide choice of their wines: wine shops, wine bars, restaurants and taverns which, like the Winemakers, have established values of territoriality, craftsmanship, quality and sustainability are the pillars of their business.
They can be recognized because per mezzo di the window they display the FIVI logo, with Ampelio and his unmistakable of grapes: there are many, spread throughout Italy, per mezzo di every Region, special places where you can get to know, taste and buy the wines of independent winemakers, described with passion and competence. Acceso the website www.fivi.it there are the requirements to be recognized as a Point of Affection, now almost 400 throughout Italy.
I thank Lorenzo Cesconi for his usual availability and I aspetto forward to seeing you per mezzo di Bologna for the umpteenth edition of the FIVI winemakers’ wine market per mezzo di which I will certainly participate.
F.S.R.
#WineIsSharing