And they’re off!

Racing around Vinitaly is grueling work … but someone’s got to do it, right?

The numbers would seem to be good – all the winemakers I talked to, indicated that the first day (Sunday) seemed like a record-breaking day, with lots of foreigners (always a good sign in times of crisis!)

Warm spring temperatures make the weaving in and out of pavilions somewhat easier, but the heat actually got to be too much at times. Wine tasting is done better in the cold!

After the inauguration, an afternoon press conference with the Minister of Agricultural Policy, Maurizio Martina to talk about Wine, Vinitaly and the Milan Expo of 2015.

Enologist Riccardo Cottarella gave an impassioned talk about how Italy and Italian wine in particular need to work together, to make a system, to promote this number one product throughout the world and help the Italian economy get back on its feet. He said it better, and that’s why he’s a part of a special committee for the Milan Expo.

Number one Italian journalist Bruno Vespa (nightly political talk show Porta a Porta, that uses the Gone With the Wind theme song) was front row at the press conference – here he is with yours truly!

Visiting the stands, Tasca d’Almerita stands out as one of the most genuine and appealing, showcasing herbs, plants and flowers, the ‘profumi di Sicilia’.

Still in the Sicily pavilion, a tasting of Planeta’s Rosé with the singularly most dashing and dapper of them all,Count Gelasio Gaetani d’Aragona Lovatelli!

And the day ends with a dinner sponsored by Arnaldo Caprai, Umbran winemakers famous for their Sagrantino and Montefalco wines.

Here I am with Marco Caprai, and his good friend, the simply supreme chef, Gianfranco Vissani!

And tomorrow is another day!!!