Sustainability and Inclusivity: Vinum’s Commitment to a Brighter Future
ALBA – The 46th edition of VINUM, Italy’s premier wine fair dedicated to the illustrious wines of Piedmont, concluded successfully in Alba. Organized by the Ente Fiera di Alba, in collaboration with the Municipality of Alba, the Giostra delle Cento Torri, and Piemonte Land of Wine, this year’s event was marked by an impressive turnout, especially during the sunny inaugural weekend on April 25th, which saw a 20% increase in online presales compared to the previous year.
Despite the favorable weather on the opening day, the subsequent days were marred by rain, impacting the overall visitor numbers. However, the event still managed to attract a significant number of qualified tourists, particularly over the April 25th holiday, with a total of 131,701 tastings conducted. The demographic of the attendees skewed young and passionate, with 65% of participants aged between 18 and 35, and a notable international presence from 22 countries, including the United States, Switzerland, the Netherlands, France, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
The event’s highlight, Vinum Lab, held at the Cortile della Maddalena within the Mudet, Alba’s Truffle Museum, saw a full house, with 31% of the attendees being international tourists. Additionally, the cooking classes at Castello di Roddi boasted a remarkable 60% international participation.
From April 25th to May 5th, the town squares of Alba were bustling with wine enthusiasts eager to explore over 700 labels from 400 Piedmontese producers. The event also featured contributions from the Valle d’Aosta Wine Consortium, the Vermouth di Torino Consortium, the Piedmont Grappa and Barolo Grappa Protection Consortium, and a special focus on Maitrank, a traditional Belgian beverage, and Marche wines in celebration of the 500th anniversary of Andrea Bacci’s birth, the author of “De naturali vinorum historia.”
The event’s culinary offerings were enriched by the Street Food ëd Langa, curated by local boroughs under the Giostra delle Cento Torri. Additional gastronomic experiences included cheese workshops with ONAF (the National Organization of Cheese Tasters) and master classes by AIS Piemonte, highlighting a growing interest in cultural and culinary education.
Expanding beyond the city, Vinum in Cantina continued to be a success with guided tours through vineyards and cellars, culminating in wine tastings paired with aperitifs prepared by renowned chefs. Notable sessions included those at Massucco Vini in Castagnito with chef Marc Lanteri, L’Astemia Pentita in Barolo with chef Luigi Taglienti, and Agricola Brandini in La Morra with chef Luca Zecchin.
Another notable event, Vinum a Tavola, at the Castello di Roddi, was organized by the Municipality of Roddi and Ente Fiera di Alba, showcasing Piedmont’s culinary excellence across four dinners prepared by chefs Luigi Taglienti, Antonella Ricci and Vinod Sookar, Eugenio Boer, and Federico Zanasi, featuring 114 different wine labels and 8 vermouths. The castle also hosted cooking classes where both Italian and international tourists experimented with iconic recipes from distinguished chefs.
The castle was also the venue for the musical aperitif “Note di vino,” organized in collaboration with sommelier Andrea Dani and Alba Jazz Festival, offering a musical journey paired with the tasting of four wines.
The family-friendly setup was a great success, with the Sala Beppe Fenoglio dedicated entirely to games and Vinum Bimbi, organized with Sinergia Outdoor, featuring wooden toys that teach children about nature and the origins of wine, making Vinum accessible to many families choosing Alba for their spring holidays.
Among the collateral events were the tour of the Barolo crus “I grandi vigneti del Barolo” promoted by Strada del Barolo, a treasure hunt in the Langhe organized by Turismo in Langa, “Passeggiate gourmet” curated by Confartigianato Cuneo, the International Jazz Day celebrated in various town squares in collaboration with the Milleunanota association, and the sporting event 1/4 Vinum Marathon. Celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Langhe-Roero and Monferrato vineyards’ UNESCO World Heritage listing, the Museum of the Wine Landscapes of Langhe, Roero, and Monferrato was inaugurated at the Maddalena complex. The final weekend featured local folklore with historical costume parades, flag-wavers, and musicians on Saturday, and the “Bandiere per un amico” festival on Sunday.
Consistent with Ente Fiera’s commitment to sustainability, the event concluded on May 5th with a solidarity dinner at Osteria Sociale Montebellina, in collaboration with Cooperativa Sociale Emmaus. The dinner featured wines from 8pari, a social enterprise that integrates vulnerable individuals into the workforce, a joint effort between Progetto Emmaus and seven local agricultural enterprises, highlighting a significant focus on social inclusion and sustainable practices in the wine industry.
VINUM’s success this year reaffirms its status as a premier event for wine enthusiasts, showcasing the rich heritage and excellence of Piedmont’s wine and culinary traditions.
