It is being touted as a true journey of discovery for all of the senses and is sure to become a fast favourite amongst the Milanese and any tourists who happen to love a good bottle of Italian wine. A recent announcement has been made that Expo Milano 2015 will play host to a dedicated wine pavilion that will take visitors on a journey of discovery about the art of making good Italian wine in addition to giving them the opportunity to sample a few drinks for themselves.
The Pavilion is intended to be a true game of discovery for wine enthusiasts, which is a sentiment that was echoed by Italy’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Forestry Policies Maurizio Martina, who claims that the installation will be “…an emotional journey. A means of discovery through the five senses.”
Just what could be meant by that rather far-reaching proclamation is yet to be seen, but it is certainly exciting times for wine fans, especially for those who will be at the Expo itself when the installation is opened to the public. In terms of its effect on the five sense, we can only imagine that taste and smell will factor heavily into the occasion, as it does with all wines, but we can’t wait to see what we get to feel, hear and see as part of this journey of discovery!
The architect behind the wine pavilion is in similarly high spirits about the installation, which he describes as “…A great game of discovery”. Italo Rota came up with the design and architecture in collaboration with the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Forestry Policies, with both intending for the installation to highlight everything that is truly great about Italian wines.
Perhaps most interesting for the history buffs amongst you is the fact that the expo’s main aim is to provide education to its visitors relating to the history of Italian wine and how it has evolved over the years. We expect that this will include mentions of some of the great Italian winemaking families in addition to information about how their work has affected the culture and atmosphere of the places where the great wines have originated.
Better yet, the experience won’t simply be one of learning, as it promises to be a multimedia affair that will allow users to interact with a wide variety of exhibits in addition to learning about the various wines that will be discovered. Of course, it wouldn’t be complete without offering visitors a sample of the many great wines spoken about, which is why the comprehensive Wine Library will be able to give people a taste of what they have in store for them should they choose to purchase a bottle.
A recent press conference to announce the launch of the pavilion was attended by a number of key figures, including the Commissioner-General for the Italian Pavilion Diana Bracco, who commented: “”We are presenting a great driving force for Italian excellence. We are grateful to have the Italian Wine Pavilion within the Italian Pavilion.”
The Design
The architectural design of the Pavilion has been created to ensure that visitors get the absolute most out of their experience, with the combined forces of the Ministry and by Veronafiere Vinitaly and a specialised scientific committee working in harmony to ensure that the experience is as enjoyable as possible.
The committee itself was chaired by the President of Assoenologi Roccardo Cotarella, who shares in the enthusiasm that has already been generated for the expo and the Wine Pavilion in particular. He commented: “No other drink in the world contains so much history and culture as wine. We want to communicate this through the Pavilion. We want to thrill visitors. Passion is the means for discovering wine; otherwise we would just drink water or a soft drink. “
It is this passion that the pavilion hopes to inspire in its many visitors in the hopes of giving them an even deeper understanding of the hard work, dedication and skill that goes into crafting the many wines that millions in Italy and throughout the world enjoy on a daily basis.
The Wine Library
One of the most important aspects of the entire installation is the much vaunted Wine Library, known as “la Biblioteca del Vino” in the native Italian. While much of the installation will be dedicated to teaching visitors about the rich culture and heritage that surrounds Italian winemaking, the Wine Library will be the place to be if you want to get a first-hand taste of the many great wines that will be featured.
Sommeliers from across Italy will gather to offer tasting sessions for a wide range of wines, all of which will come complete with the depth of experience and knowledge that the sommelier themselves brings to the table.
Furthermore, space will also be provided on the terrace for dedicated events and study sessions that will provide even more opportunities to learn a little bit more about the many great Italian wines, with sessions covering everything from the most popular and renowned winemakers in the country to a number of the smaller vinters who play their trades locally.
Finally, just to ensure that visitors are able to get their hands on any wines that they happen to fall in love with, the pavilion will offer a dedicated web portal where people will be able to purchase any drink that is highlighted during the event.
All in all it sounds like a must-see event for anybody who has even the slightest of interest in Italian wines and the history that has gone into the creation of the greatest vintages on the planet. Those who are interested in visiting the event have plenty of time to get themselves prepared, as it will be held on July 28th. That should be more than enough time to get your bags packed and your tickets booked, plus with a little bit of luck you will also be able to enjoy a little bit of sunshine with your wine on the day. Tickets can be purchased from http://www.expo2015.org/en/multimedia–sensory-experiences-and-tastings.-presenting-the-italian-wine-pavilion.
