Wine takes center stage in Bolzano. From March 26th to 29th, the best South Tyrolean wines return to Castel Mareccio for the 97th edition, full of new features: seminars, tasting workshops, guided tours, castle dinners, and many special initiatives.Over 180 labels, 40 wineries, 4 days dedicated to wine, 1 “tasty” new feature, and countless events: these are the numbers of the 97th edition of the now-famous Bolzano Wine Exhibition, an important showcase of the best wine production from all over South Tyrol which—for almost 100 years!—has attracted connoisseurs and enthusiasts to the beautiful city of wine and fine taste.
From March 26th to 29th, 2020, the halls of Castel Mareccio, one of the city’s most enchanting locations, will host tastings and flavor workshops, seminars, and events featuring important names from the food and wine sector, who will guide visitors on a fascinating journey to discover unique and surprising labels and flavors from the region.
The program of the Bolzano Wine Exhibition
The curtain rises on Thursday, March 26th at 6:00 PM with producers presenting their best wines and revealing curiosities about their cellars—an enjoyable evening that will kick off pleasant days dedicated to wine and fine food, featuring 5 Wine seminars and 2 tasting workshops organized in collaboration with the Italian Academy of Cuisine and the Sommelier Association. Don’t miss the seminar on Friday, March 27th with Otto Geisel, wine expert, who will lead participants on a journey to understand the high value of the “nectar of the gods.” On Saturday, March 28th, it will be Daniele Cernilli’s turn, creator of DoctorWine (an online magazine dedicated to wine and its world), with “The 10 Shades of Lagrein”, and two guided tastings: a wine and vegetable pairing led by winehunter Helmuth Köcher, and—a long-awaited return—a tasting pairing South Tyrolean wines with meats and cold cuts with meat and charcuterie sommelier Silvia Brunner Ebner and Sommelier Association president Christine Mayr.
The Santa Maddalena Protection Consortium will hold a comparative tasting of a selection of Santa Maddalena with brand ambassadors Federica Randazzo and Leo Larcher, both Friday and Saturday.
Attendance at the seminars is free, but reservation is required.
There will also be the guided excursion Bacchus Urbanus in the Santa Maddalena and Lagrein production areas with brand ambassador Leo Larcher (Friday, March 27th at 3:00 PM) and a guided tour of Castel Roncolo with tasting in the manor’s rooms (Saturday, March 28th at 3:00 PM).
What’s New in 2020 at the Bolzano Wine Exhibition
The real highlight of this edition? Castle dinners. Two unique opportunities to experience dining in the fascinating Thun Hall of Castel Mareccio: on Friday the 27th, the exclusive cuisine of Michelin-starred chef Anna Matscher from Zum Löwe in Tesimo will be featured, while on Saturday, March 28th, the team from Tlò Plazores tavern in San Vigilio di Marebbe of the “South Tyrolean Inns” association will take over the kitchen.
That’s not all. Thanks to the “Rent a Sommelier” initiative, participants can “book” a sommelier to guide them through tastings and delve into the world of wine. Plus, in the brand new Wineshop, it will be possible to purchase your favorite wines.
And as with every major event, the Wine Exhibition will also have its own Off-Exhibition. During the four days of the event, the variety of aromas from South Tyrolean wines will take over the city as all partner restaurants offer themed “Food&Wine” dishes and initiatives. Thanks to the collaboration with BZHeartbeat, the Bolzano Trade and Services Association, and Confesercenti Alto Adige, there will be tastings in many shops in the historic center and neighborhoods of Bolzano. And in the two weeks preceding the event, 30 establishments of the “South Tyrolean Inns” association will offer special menus throughout the province.
How the Bolzano Wine Exhibition Works
Except for the Thursday evening with the producers, on all other event days a table reservation is required for tasting. Entry is €5, and the tasting voucher is €1 per glass. The daily ticket, which includes 22 tastings, costs €25.
The event is organized by the Tourist Board under the patronage of the Municipality of Bolzano, in collaboration with the “Weinkost” working group and the Italian Academy of Cuisine, and is supported by the Bolzano Raiffeisen Bank, the Chamber of Commerce, the South Tyrol Wine Consortium, and the Santa Maddalena Protection Consortium.
