Countdown to 46th Vinitaly, March 25-28 in Verona begins

Story and photo gallery by Dwight Casimere

-Dwight The Wine Doctor with Lamberto Frescobaldi

-Dwight The Wine Doctor at Donnafugata Wines of Sicily

-Vinitaly at Veronafiere in Verona

-Inside the ancient city center of Verona

-faces within the walls of Old Verona

VERONA, ITALY-Lavish tastings, panel discussions, new product announcements and a chance to rub shoulders with thousands of Italy and the world's greatest winemakers makes the 46th Vinitaly, March 25-28 2012 in Verona, Italy a not-to-be-missed appointment for anyone who is passionate about wine.

That point is made vividly by Vinitaly's premiere event, Opera Wine, Saturday, March 24 at the Palazzo della Ragione, in the heart of Verona's ancient center. A Grand Tasting of the 100 best Italian producers, including Antinori, Gaja, Frescobaldi, Banfi, Mezzacorona, and Zonin, selected in conjunction with Wine Spectator magazine, will be presented within the palazzo's pristine Mediaeval halls. Made in Italy is the catch-phrase at Opera Wine as two worlds of excellence meet; Italian icon: from Fashion to Wine, with the participation of Santo Versace, President of Altagamma, the foundation set up to promote the creativity and innovation of the most prestigious Italian companies on a global scale. Spread over four days, Sunday through Wednesday, the sponsor, VeronaFiere, hopes to optimize opportunities to bring together exhibitors and buyers from around the world. In addition to participants from the United States, France, Australia, South Africa, Slovenia and Russia, Vinitaly 2012 will, for the first time, include participation from Uzbekistan, Moldavia, Azerbajian and Armenia. In addition to providing more space for buyers and exhibitors to interact, there will be increased opportunities for sommeliers and operators to taste and have a 'hands, or palate-on' experience.

Vinitaly 2012 also focuses on ViViT-Wines, Winegrowers and Terroirs, an exhibition dedicated to wines from organic and biodynamic agriculture. Tastings take the limelight with-for the first time together-375 ,wines awarded with Three Glasses by Gambero Rossi, and Tasting ex...press, a tour of the world and wines, with tastings that include comparisons between Italian luxury sparkling wines and their English counterparts and a journey revealing Chardonnay in champagne, Argentina, Australia and Hungary, as well as the Ukraine, China and Morocco. Finally, Vinitaly also pays tribute to Verona itself and one of its districts which is best known to wine lovers, Valpolicella, the subject of the retrospective "Thirty Years of Art Amarone." In short, there's something for everyone who has a passion for wine. Vinitaly 2012 provides ample opportunity for people to fall in love with Italian wine all over again!