The annual Sol&Agrifood event, one of the most comprehensive produce and trade fairs, took place on 9th to the 12th of April 2017, in Verona, Italy, and is co-located with one of the largest wine shows, VINITALY. This year, the event saw South Africa make its mark, with a strong presence in both the olive produce and wine sectors.
Two stands represented South Africa at VINITALY, one arranged by the South African Consulate General in Milan, the other under the aegis of Afri Wines, the major importer of South African wines in Italy. Wines from Ayama, Cape Dreams, Dalla Cia, Diemersdal, Diemersfontein, Idiom, Linton Park, Morgenster, Nabygelegen, Rhino Park, Savanha Wines and Spier were presented to eager and numerous Italian wine operators.
Mr. Fabio Albani of Afriwines not only manned a constantly teeming stand, he also presented wines for the new VINITALY project “5 Star Wines – the Book”, an enterprise to draw up a listing in “The Book” of the finest wines adjudged by a panel of the world’s most respected judges of wine. Seven South African wines are now in “The Book” which means that each obtained a score of 90 or more on a scale of 100! :
- Diemersfontein Carpe Diem Wellington Reserve Pinotage 2014 (93)
- Diemersfontein Chenin Blanc 2016 (91)
- Cape Dreams Pinotage 2015 (91)
- Diemersfontein Carpe Diem Chenin Blanc 2016 (90)
- Morgenster Reserve 2011 (90)
- Spier Creative Block No 2 Sauvignon Blanc 2016 (90)
- Idiom Bottega Family Viognier 2014 (90)
Under the inscription “Premium Cape Selection, South Africa”, Brenda Wilkinson, of Rio Largo Olive Estate, exhibited at Sol&Agrifood two intense and five medium South African extra virgin olive oils and caused a mild sensation when firstly the attendees expressed surprise that South Africa was producing olive oil and secondly how well it compared with the oils from other countries on the show. The olive oils justified their winning of awards at the Sol d’Oro Southern Hemisphere competition held this year.
There were several other premium South African Olive Oils exhibiting Sol&Agrifood, namely; Andante, De Rustica, Gabrielskloof, Oakhurst and Wildekrans.
They flew the flag high and the response was really exciting – South African olive oils are being recognized abroad. – Brenda Wilkinson.
For more information on Sol&Agrifood, click here.
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