Vineyards Magazine

After Vinitaly, the Distretto di Qualità del Vino Umbro once again takes centre stage on international markets, strengthening the presence of Umbria’s wine sector at leading trade events. 

Only a few days have passed since the close of Vinitaly, an edition that saw Il Distretto del Vino Umbro di Qualità take centre stage for the first time in initiatives dedicated to Umbria’s wine sector, from the preview evening to activities hosted within the Umbria Pavilion, featuring a highly appreciated regional wine shop and a panel discussion that involved numerous other Italian wine districts.

The team is now ready to move on to a new and significant international appointment: the Real Italian Wine & Food Experience, scheduled for 26 and 27 April at the ExCeL Exhibition Centre in London, one of the largest and most important exhibition venues in Europe. Continuing the experience of the Real Italian Wine & Food format, active for over fifteen years, the event confirms itself as one of the most strategic trade platforms for the promotion of Italian wine and food on international markets.

The London edition takes place within a context of strong international relevance, with the participation of more than 250 agri food producers and the expected attendance of over 1,500 professional operators, including buyers, importers, distributors, agents, restaurateurs and sommeliers. A platform which, thanks to a digital matchmaking system, allows the scheduling of numerous B2B meetings, fostering targeted and highly profiled commercial connections. The 2025 edition saw more than 230 exhibitors arrive from overseas to meet over 1,650 buyers from across North America including the United States, Canada and Mexico, as well as from Latin American countries such as Brazil.

For Umbria, the companies Chiorri, Azienda Agricola Mevante, Castello di Montegiove, Terre de la Custodia and Guerrini will be in attendance, representing the regional wine sector and the joint efforts of the production system coordinated by Umbria Top Wines.

This participation forms part of a broader strategy of shared promotion, involving collaboration between Il Distretto del Vino Umbro di Qualità and the Chamber of Commerce of Umbria, working in synergy with Il Distretto del Vino Umbro di Qualità, with the aim of strengthening the territory’s presence on international markets and enhancing not only wine but also other regional agri food excellences.

Alongside the wine producers, there will also be producers of extra virgin olive oil, a craft brewery and chocolate makers, showcasing an integrated representation of Made in Umbria.

“The British market shows growing curiosity and a strong willingness to deepen knowledge of Umbrian wines,” says Gioia Bacoccoli, coordinator of the Distretto. “After several years during which collective promotional activities had come to a halt, today, thanks to the support of Distretto funding and cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce of Umbria, we can once again establish a presence in a strategic market. The aim is to revive existing commercial relationships and to consolidate new opportunities for our companies in a country that continues to demonstrate strong interest in Umbria and its products.”

Ahead of the two trade days, a Blind Tasting will take place on 25 April from 4 pm to 7 pm. Conceived as an opening and networking moment, the event will offer visitors the opportunity to taste the wines on a blind basis and to leave structured feedback, which will subsequently be collected and shared with the exhibitors. An informal yet highly qualified opportunity for direct dialogue between producers, buyers and industry professionals.

The Real Italian Wine & Food Experience thus confirms its role as a strategic platform for the international promotion of Italian wine, capable of combining exhibition opportunities, commercial relationships and digital innovation, while strengthening Umbria’s presence within the world’s leading wine and food markets.

Distretto di Qualità del Vino Umbro

A three year project by Umbria Top, the cooperative of Umbrian wineries, aimed at harmonising and developing the regional wine supply chain through a public and private partnership working in synergy across four key areas: productive investments, training, innovation technology and sustainability, and promotion.