5StarWines - the Book 2021

This year’s edition of 5StarWines & Wine Without Walls is one that that we will all
remember. A special edition for decidedly extraordinary, certainly unexpected, times.
But nothing detracts from the value of this initiative by Veronafiere and Vinitaly. On the
contrary, it reinforces it. At a time when certainties are crumbling and the globalised
world seems to withdraw and close in on itself, this authoritative guide has managed
to keep the connection between the protagonists of wine and their products alive;
connecting wines, wineries, markets, old and new consumers - all on an international
scale. A challenging feat, considering the emergency situation in which we all found
ourselves catapulted, with borders suddenly closed and flights cancelled.
I have always liked to think, however, that here at Veronafiere we are incurable optimists,
convinced that in every difficulty we can hide an opportunity. With this certainty we
have taken up the challenge: to create 5StarWines & Wine Without Walls 2020 with
a new “phigital” format that integrates physical and digital experience, in order to
achieve the “new normality” and fully play our role as an innovative hub at the service
of business.
From this idea was born this year’s “Agile” edition in which a selected panel of 52 judges
carried out blind tastings of over 2,100 samples, sent by more than 700 companies.
Each panelist was connected by video conference from their country, to ensure the
selections integrity. The result of this great work and organizational effort can be found
in the pages of this publication in which we selected 847 wines of excellence for you.
We did it in the certainty that we could provide an updated and accredited tool to
make the difference between professionals in the on-trade, buyers, and distributors.
We are acutely aware that - to paraphrase the unforgettable Steve Jobs - investing in
promotion in times of crisis is like building wings while others fall.
.
Giovanni Mantovani
CEO of Veronafiere
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