Suzanne Branciforte's Italian Grapevine

The 50th annual Vinitaly was inaugurated yesterday by none other than the President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella.

Italians love all the pomp and circumstance of ribbon cutting and speeches. Yesterday, it was standing room only to hear what the President and Minister of Agriculture had to say.

The people were fighting to get in: Sunday is the only day the fair is open to people who are not directly involved in the wine industry.

But I’ll tell you a secret: if you get to Vinitaly in the wee hours of the morning, which is like 9 a.m. Verona time, you can get around easily.

These shoes were made for walking, and that’s just what they’ll do… We’re off!