The Many Faces of OperaWine 2014; Finest Italian Wines, 100 Great Producers

Story and photo gallery by Dwight Casimere


VERONA, Italy---OperaWine 2014 is the premiere event of Vinitaly International, the world's largest wine exhibition held each year at the massive VeronaFiere exhibition center in central Verona. Each year, the city, best known as the setting for William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" becomes the epicenter of the enology and culinary worlds. Now in its 48th edition, Vinitaly is focused on greater internationalization. This year's event featured more than 4,000 exhibitors  and 155,000 visitors from 120 countries around the world. Organizers set a record for exhibition space sold, making it the beggiest edition of the event in history. In addition to a larger-than-ever complement of international exhibitors and visitors, Vinitaly 2014 featured a new area for business-to-business meetings which was set up to encourage international operators to build relationships and alliances. Vinitaly 2014 also debuted a special exhibition for producers of certified organic wines.

OperaWine 2014 featured 100 Great Producers as identified by Wine Spectator, the leading opinion maker for all things wine related. The stars of the Italian wine world walked the red carpet up the steps of the Palazzo Gran Guardia on the Piazza Bra, with its dramatic view of the historic Arena. If there were ever an Oscar Night for wine, OperaWine 2014 was it!

Mr. and Miss Vinitaly 2014, Andrea Amadel (l) and Alessandra Scarci (r)

The father/son team of Francesco and Santiago Cinzano of Col D'Orcia of Montalcino

Wine pr and marketing maven Constantine Press (l)

With Marilisa Allegrini (c) and her guests at OperaWine 2014

With Jose Rallo of Donnafugata winery of Sicily

Stevie Kim (r) Managing Director, Vinitaly International

Stefano Leone, Direttore Commerciale of  Marchesi Antinori of Chianti Classico

Donatella Ferrucci of Castello Di Ama

Tre Bicchieri award winner Federico Terenzi (l) of Terenzi Morellino di Scansano and his wife

Marchese Anselmo Guerrieri Gonzaga of Tenuta San Leonardo

With my winemaking "cousin" Casimero Maule and daughter Sara Maule of Nino Negri

Giorgio Pasanisi of Umani Ronchi

With Italian Food blogger and Sommelier Jenny Viant Gomez (l)

and with my good friend Jamie Stewart, Brand Ambassador to Ferrari of Treviso