Berlin, Germany (Weltexpress). Vinitaly in Verona every year. What ProWein in Düsseldorf on the Rhine is to the Federal Republic of Germany, Vinitaly in Verona on the Adige – known in Italian as the Adige – is to the Republic of Italy. This ancient and once German city was called Dietrichsbern, but also Welsch-Bern. This year, the Republic of Italy’s largest wine fair is taking place from 12 to 15 April 2026.
To me, the Adige is a German river, but not just ‘up the arse’ at the end – not because it flows into the Po, but because all manner of rubbish is channelled into it, particularly from the Trento area, not to mention the damming, straightening, impoundment and water abstraction. Even in this millennium, there are years when the Adige carries up to 40 per cent less water than average and, near Trento, chemical foam appears time and again. That is not the true, good and beautiful. And even in Verona, no sensible person would drink so much as a sip of water from the Adige, but wine – and not just at Vinitaly.
Vinitaly has been held in Verona for 58 years and has since found favour elsewhere too. In New York, USA; Oslo, Kingdom of Norway; Bento Gonçalves, Brazil; Warsaw, Republic of Poland; as well as Shenzhen and Chengdu, PR China, Vinitaly takes place at fixed venues, and in Kazakhstan at various locations. Tirana, Albania; Tokyo, Japan; and New Delhi, Republic of India (Bharat) have recently been graced with a Vinitaly, and a branch of Vinitaly is also set to flourish in Belgrade, Serbia. According to the organiser, Vinitaly is a brand known around the world and should therefore be held in many worthwhile locations globally. The organiser at least mentions locations in the key markets.
Vinitaly in Verona is particularly popular, namely the tasting of wines in the city’s historic centre rather than in the exhibition halls. Although the odd lecture is held, the focus is on food and drink – or rather, fine wines and good cheer in beautiful surroundings. Special venues and palaces are always chosen for this purpose. How about enjoying yourself in the Piazza dei Signori or in the 13th-century Cortile del Tribunale?
For aspiring and seasoned foodies, Vinitaly’s Gourmet Experience may well be of interest, with the Ristorante d’Autore di Campagna Amica – La Casa della Cucina Italiana likely to take centre stage. The project, developed in collaboration with Coldiretti, Campagna Amica and Terranostra, aims to “place the dialogue between agriculture, cuisine and the region at the heart of the fair”. But fear not, ultimately it’s all about sales, wages, prices and profit. “On 12 April 2026 (Palaexpo, Level 1), the tasting menu will be curated by Ciro Scamardella of Pipero; on 13 April, Riccardo Monco of Enoteca Pinchiorri will take over;
on 14 April, Tortellante will be in the spotlight – the social promotion association supported by head chef Massimo Bottura – and on 15 April, the stage belongs to the Cuochi Contadini (farmers’ chefs), the guardians of rural tradition and local gastronomic heritage, who offer an interpretation of Italian cuisine that unites agricultural supply chains, food culture and the fight against waste,” says the organiser. Coffee will also be promoted. After a meal and a drink, why not enjoy an espresso from the È Tricaffè roastery run by the Aneri family? Cheers!
Connoisseurs and critics know that the Ristorante d’Autore di Campagna Amica – La Casa della Cucina Italiana is not the only restaurant at the Vinitaly fair. The food and drink at the Ristorante Momenti d’Autore at Vinitaly are also not to be sneezed at. Here, the talents of Jeunes Restaurateurs Italia will showcase their skills. Foodies can look forward to chefs Giorgio Bartolucci (Atelier Ristorante, Domodossola), Alfonso Caputo (Taverna del Capitano, Nerano – Marina del Cantone), Leonardo Fiorenzani (La Sosta del Cavaliere, Sovicille) and Agnese Loss (Osteria Contemporanea, Gattinara).
As always, there are street food stalls dotted here and there, including a mixologist’s bar. Carlo Cracco is right in the thick of things rather than just on the sidelines. And at Ristorante Piemonte, Davide Palluda from Ristorante All’Enoteca in Canale d’Alba is cooking alongside colleagues, serving specialities from the Piedmont region. Even though Verona lies on the Adige River and is therefore in the region known as Veneto, this is well worth a culinary detour. And once you’re there, you simply must visit the famous Arena di Verona in Dietrichsbern / Welsch-Bern.
