NEW YORK: RIELLO AND MANTOVANI OF VERONAFIERE PRESENT “UNA” TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC NAPOLITANO DURING HIS VISIT IN THE U.S.A. IT IS THE FIRST OFFICIAL BOTTLE FROM VINITALY FOR THE CELEBRATION OF THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNITY OF ITALY

“Una” is the first official bottle for the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy from Veronafiere-Vinitaly. The bottle was offered to President Giorgio Napolitano yesterday in New York. The leaders of VeronaFiere, President Ettore Riello, General Manager Giovanni Mantovani and board member Nicola Moscardo presented the first bottle to the visiting head of state in America, during the ceremony held in the Library of Hotel St. Regis in the Big Apple.

The project of the commemorative bottle was created by Riello to promote the image of Italian wine in the world. The President of the Republic, Napolitano, was very enthusiastic about the project when he visited Vinitaly 2010. It was officially launched in October 2010 at the Italian Embassy in Washington where it was decided to officially celebrate its presentation at the prestigious Vinitaly event in Verona (April 7 to 11th; www.vinitaly.com).

“The “Unification of Italy Bottle” project was launched in 2010 at Vinitaly when the President of the Republic visited the event. Here in New York it is an important celebratory moment,” said Ettore Riello, “the President of the Republic immediately approved our project and requested that it have maximum coverage utilizing various channels both at Vinitaly in Italy and “Vinitaly in the World”, to be held in cities around the world. This project will help strengthen both national identity as well as highlight the excellence of Italian products. The presentation of the bottle “UNA” in New York confirmed the role of promotion and enhancement of Made in Italy products in Italy and abroad, which is the focus of Veronafiere activities. The limited edition commemorative bottle for the 150th anniversary of the Unification of Italy, has a symbolic value as a promotional tool to highlight the special features of Italian wine production as well as the cultural values it represents. After it is presented to President Napolitano, bottles will be donated also to the highest international authorities.

The contents of the bottle, which was created and designed by Aldo Cibic and Riccardo Facci, is the fruit of the union of 40 grape varieties (20 white grapes and 20 red) from the 20 regions in Italy to produce ”Red Wine of Italy” and “White Wine of Italy”. It officially represents the anniversary of the founding of the Italian state also abroad. Assoenologi (the Italian association of enologists and enotechnicians) was involved in creating the blend (made by the enologist Riccardo Cotarella, ed), while the native grapes and their relative wines were specifically selected by the 20 regional councilors.

Focus – The 20 grapes for “Unity of Italy Red ” ... 

Autonomous Region of Val d’Aosta: Petit rouge 

Piedmont Region: Barbera 

Lombardy Region: Croatina 

Liguria Region: Rossese di Dolceacqua 

Veneto Region: Raboso 

Trentino Alto Adige Region: Teroldego 

Friuli Venezia Giulia Region: Refosco dal peduncolo rosso 

Emilia Romagna Region: Sangiovese 

Tuscany Region: Sangiovese 

Lazio Region: Cesanese di Affile 

Umbria Region: Sagrantino 