Once more, wine and food proved to be extraordinary ambassadors of Piedmont in the very heart of Europe: Many professionals and enthusiasts took part in the new edition of the event.
Back in Brussels for its third year, “Barolo & Friends Event” – the kermesse which continues to present, all around Europe, the most renowned Piedmontese food and wine – was held and, once again, was a great success.
On 13th November, in the ballroom of the historical Palais des Colonies, a jewel of the Tervuren park, the appointments dedicated to the wine professionals – importers, dealers, wine and food journalists, restaurateurs – and wine lovers, took place.
Some figures: 300 professional visitors, who could meet the producers and test their wines, together with their food specialties. Some in-depth moments were dedicated to the professionals: a seminar on Piedmontese wine led by Dirk Rodriguez, managing editor of the important Belgian magazine “Vinomagazine” and by the oenologist from Langhe Mauro Daniele (with a focus on 4 DOCG sparkling wines Alta Langa Metodo Classico, Gavi, Dogliani and Barolo), with 75 participants; immediately after, presentation of Piedmontese gastronomy held by Carlo De Pascale from “Mmmmh!”, followed by more than 60 operators.
Finally, a meeting with the professionals of the confectionary sector: a masterclass on the use of the PGI Piedmontese hazelnut in the making of cakes and ice-creams led by Barbara Molinari, traditional confectioner in Scaletta Uzzone (CN), who talked with De Pascale on the best hazelnut based recipes and mixes. Corilanga, a farmers cooperative, took part in the promotion of this event.
And we can’t forget to mention the enthusiasts’ involvement: from 6pm, more than 200 wine-lovers crowded the halls of the Palais des Colonies, tasting not only the wines but also the food products which represented a further attraction of the Piedmontese region, an attraction which has been highly appreciated by all visitors. A lucky winner won a trip to Langhe sponsored byStrada del Barolo e grandi vini di Langa.
At the evening session, the Commercial Attachée of the Italian Embassy, Ms Angela Petitti, took part together with Italian representatives of the European Parliament and the Piedmont Region in Belgium.
The producers who attended the event were extremely satisfied thanks to the opportunity to meet and discuss business with importers and local dealers: the Belgian market represents an interesting market where the consumption of high quality wine is growing more and more, and where the import of Italian wines is gaining ground upon those of other exporting countries (with a 12% increase, towards about 7% of the other producers).
Dosio, La Morra (CN)
Tenuta Nuova Ca da Meo di Magda Pedrini, Gavi (AL)
Casa E. di Mirafiore e Fontanafredda, Serralunga d’Alba (CN)
Cascina Val del Prete, Priocca (CN)
Rappellino Dario, Grazzano Badoglio (AT)
Grasso Fratelli, Treiso (CN)
Anna Maria Abbona, Farigliano (CN)
Castello di Gabiano, Gabiano (AL)
Ponchione Maurizio, Govone (CN)
Cascina Fontana, Monforte d’Alba (CN)
Ressia, Neive (CN)
Cantina Mosparone, Pino d’Asti (AT)
Vigne dei Mastri, Costigliole d’Asti (AT)
La Baretta, Fontanile (AT)
Produttori del Gavi, Gavi (AL)
Consorzio Piedmontop, Guarene (CN)
Mauro Molino, La Morra (CN)
La Fusina, Dogliani (CN)
Le Strette, Novello (CN)
Olivero Mario, Roddi (CN)
Cascina Galarin, Castagnole delle Lanze (AT)
I produttori del Circuito Golden Gavi
La Bottera, Morozzo (CN) – Formaggi
Chiapella Salumieri in Langa, Clavesana (CN) – Salumi
Tenuta Castello, Desana (VR) – Riso
Corilanga – Nocciole Piemonte IGP
