Italy, Hungary and also France: ninety wineries present and many new features at the event dedicated to a thousand-year-old heritage.

A three-day event dedicated to the culture of sweet drinking. This will be the 21st edition of the National Exhibition of Passiti and Meditation Wines of Volta Mantovana. From Valle d’Aosta to Sicily, from Piedmont to Puglia to Calabria, the protagonist is all of Italy in the glass, represented by about 100 Italian wineries and six Hungarian companies, the latter present thanks to the collaboration with the Consulate General of Hungary and the Hungarian Wine Promotion Agency. << Last year we celebrated the twentieth anniversary, with this 21st edition we are preparing to face the next twenty years of the event. The Exhibition is an event that is increasingly projected into the future and, even if it is called National, it has taken on an increasingly international value. – States the Municipal Administration, organizer of the event. – Thanks to the collaboration with ONAV, Strada dei Vini e dei Sapori Mantovani and Campagna Amica, you will be able to meet many producers and participate in in-depth studies on the knowledge of passito and meditation wines and Mantua products.>> Over the course of the three days from 11 to 20, at the tasting counter you will be able to taste the wines of over 90 producers, many of whom have come from all over Italy to be present in person, who will let you discover their rare and precious wines, the fruit of an ancient culture and of man’s manual knowledge. (complete list of wineries Mostra Nazionale dei Vini Passiti e da Meditazione – Palazzo Gonzaga).

There will be many in-depth events : “ Château d’Yquem the legend”, where the book by the writer Cinzia Benzi will be presented, dedicated to the most legendary French winery, “Shades of Moscati”, “Red passiti”, “Tokaji”, “Passito di Pantelleria”, “Mantua, land of passiti”, “How passiti are born”, “Trentino Vino Santo”, “Passito and Tuscan Cigars”. These tastings will be conducted by ONAV Expert Tasters.

There will be three food and wine meetings, thanks to the collaboration with the Strada dei Vini e dei Sapori Mantovani, entirely dedicated to the food and wine culture of the province of Mantua: “I Capunsèi di Volta Mantovana”, “Il Beluga tra Po e Mincio” and “Una dolce coccola”. The Strada dei Vini e dei Sapori will also take care of the workshops for children and the area dedicated to ancient games.

Campagna Amica’s participation will allow visitors to meet Mantua artisans of taste, learn about their stories and purchase their specialties directly. Finally, special menus will be offered in local restaurants during the Exhibition.

THE PROGRAM

Friday 25th April

• 11:00 – Exhibition Opening
• 11:30 – Shades of Moscato with chocolate pairings Marc
• 2.30pm – Passito and Tuscan cigars
• 3.30pm – Literary event: Château d’Yquem, the legend
• 16:30 – Official inauguration of the 21st Edition
• 5:30 pm – Passito and Tuscan cigars
• 18:00 – Guided tour of Palazzo Gonzaga with extras
• 6.30pm – Capunsèi di Volta Mantovana, typical tasting
• 7.15pm – Guided tour of Palazzo Gonzaga with extras
• 8:00 pm – Exhibition closing

Saturday 26th April

• 11:00 – Exhibition Opening
• 11:30 – Mantua… Land of Passiti with tastings of Grana Padano Prati Stabili
• 2.30pm – Passito and Tuscan cigars
• 3:00 PM – Red passito wines with chocolate pairings Marc
• 16:00 – Passito and Tuscan cigars
• 4.30pm – Guided tour of Palazzo Gonzaga with extras
• 16:30 – Beluga between Po’ and Mincio, gourmet meeting
• 5:30 pm – Passito and Tuscan cigars
• 18:00 – Guided tour of Palazzo Gonzaga with extras
• 18:30 – Masterclass: Tokaj, a journey in Hungary
• 8:00 pm – Exhibition closing

Sunday 27th April

• 11:00 – Exhibition Opening
• 11:30 – Passito di Pantelleria with Grana Padano Riserva 40 months
• 2.30pm – Passito and Tuscan cigars
• 15:00 – How a passito is born, paired with Marc chocolate
• 3.30pm – Guided tour of Palazzo Gonzaga with extras
• 16:00 – Passito and Tuscan cigars
• 16:30 – A sweet cuddle, experiential workshop
• 5:30 pm – Passito and Tuscan cigars
• 18:00 – Guided tour of Palazzo Gonzaga with extras
• 6:30 pm – Vino Santo Trentino with Grana Padano Riserva 40 months
• 8:00 pm – Exhibition closing

THE EVENT AND THE TERRITORY

The exhibition will take place entirely in the heart of the historic center of Volta Mantovana , inside the medieval castle, of which the towers and extensive parts of the walls are still preserved: in the Renaissance, with the construction of Palazzo Gonzaga , Volta became the summer refuge of the powerful Mantuan family. Visitors will have the opportunity to discover the village and Palazzo Gonzaga, which will open its doors and gardens with guided tours and extras , to relive the charm of the Italian Renaissance.

Volta Mantovana is a magical village, where all the historical eras have left precious testimonies: the frescoed rooms, the decorated ceilings, the King’s bathroom, the suggestive Italian gardens, the ancient stables with the Warriors’ gallery, the street that connects the Palace to the Towers and the Belvedere of the Church, paved with morainic pebbles.

Finally, the event will present dedicated tasting menus , designed by local restaurants participating in the initiative, offering visitors the opportunity to try the cuisine and hospitality of Volta Mantovana.

INFO AND COSTS

Market Show Hours: from 25th to 27th April, from 11:00 to 20:00

Entrance fee: 7 euros glass 3 euros, includes 5 coupons for tastings at the Exhibition Market of the wineries present in the exhibition a coupon for the tasting counter. For residents the entrance is free.

Cost of tastings at the tasting counter: 1 ticket – 3 euros; 2 tickets – 5 euros; 5 tickets – 10 euros

The first edition of the event dedicated entirely to the symbolic product of Lake Garda will be held on May 17 and 18. Many initiatives are scheduled, from the exhibition market of oils and other typical products selected by Slow Food to the presentation of the “Guide to Extra Virgins”, from taste laboratories to cooking courses.

The Festa dell’Olio will also be an opportunity to learn more about the area thanks to the free visit to the Museo del Castello Scaligero, on the occasion of the International Museum Day and the guided tours of the ancient oil mill of Crero. Finally, the restaurants of the area will present dishes that exalt Oil, demonstrating how this product is much more than an ingredient.

On May 17 and 18, Torri del Benaco , on the Veronese shore of Lake Garda , will host the spring edition of the Festa dell’Olio , organized by the Municipality of Torri del Benaco in collaboration with Slow Food Veneto. Saturday, May 17 will be dedicated to technical training for olive growers , while on Sunday, May 18, the small port of the coastal town will host a market exhibition of some of the best producers of extra virgin olive oil from Veneto, Lombardy and Trentino, as well as tasting workshops and cooking lessons. “It is an important step towards the valorization of the typical agricultural and gastronomic products of Torri del Benaco, which goes hand in hand with the recent recognition of our De.Co., the municipal denomination,” says Mayor Stefano Nicotra.

The event opens on Saturday, May 17 , at 10:30 a.m. , in the auditorium of the Romanesque church of San Giovanni with a round table entitled “Which olive growing at the service of the environment?” . The speakers will be Francesca Baldereschi, curator of the Slow Food “Guide to Extra Virgin Olive Oils,” and the regional coordinators of the guide for Trentino, Lombardy, and Veneto, Meri Ruggeri, Marco Antonucci, and Mauro Pasquali. At the end of the meeting, the oil producers of the three regions who have received special awards from the guide will be awarded. Admission is free.

On Sunday 18 May , from 10:30 to 18:30 , the event moves to the small square of the port of Torri del Benaco , where there will be stands for about twenty producers of excellent oils from Veneto, Lombardy and Trentino, selected by Slow Food, who will also bring other quality agri-food products for tasting, such as wines, honeys and jams . Alongside them, the producers of the Slow Food Presidia of Monte Veronese di malga cheese and Grumolo delle Abbadesse rice. Also on the pier, in the Vela degli Olivi area, Slow Food will offer some taste workshops dedicated to extra virgin olive oils , which will alternate with the cooking shows of the Torresano chef Isidoro Consolini, already a Michelin star, author of the book “Oil: shapes and aromas”. There will also be tastings of some typical products from Lake Garda and Mount Baldo combined with the extra virgin olive oil produced in Torri del Benaco.

On the same day, Sunday 18 May , on the occasion of International Museum Day, it will be possible to visit the Museum of the Scaligero Castle in Torri del Benaco for free , recently reopened to the public after the winter break, and in particular its rich collection of ancient oil mills and traditional olive growing tools. Also free to visit, in the castle, is the exhibition, curated by Donatella Bertelli, of the works of the Los Diez Pintores Concretos group , an artistic movement that developed in Cuba between 1959 and 1961. In case of rain, the market exhibition and the food workshops will also be held in the rooms of the Scaligero Castle.

Another exceptional opening, Sunday 18 May from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm , is that of the small eighteenth-century oil mill in the Crero district , with a guided tour by the animators of Ctg El Vissinel. Also in Crero, it will be possible to visit an olive grove that contains centuries-old olive trees of the native Drizzar variety and the now almost extinct cultivars Trép, Fòrt, Ràsa and Favaróla. At 3:30 pm, music among the olive trees in front of the little church of San Siro.

Finally, on both days, the restaurants and hotels of Torri del Benaco and the hamlets of Albisano and Pai will offer visitors typical dishes based on extra virgin olive oil.

In collaboration with Vini Migranti, Slow Food Costa degli Etruschi, Slow Wine, University of Gastronomic Sciences of Pollenzo and Banca del Vino.

50 wineries on the private beach of the Riva degli Etruschi resort in addition to workshops, gastronomy, catering and tastings in collaboration with Slow Food and the University of Gastronomic Sciences of Pollenzo 21 June 2025 – from 6:30 pm to 11:30 pm Riva degli Etruschi – Via della Principessa, 120 – San Vincenzo (LI).

Fifty winemakers, laboratories and gastronomy, a kilometer of private beach , a sunset reflected in the sea of the Tuscan coast and the passionate story of territories, wine and food.

Vini Bagnanti returns for its second edition with its unique format: a tasting on the beach by the sea, immersed in the uncontaminated nature and magical atmosphere of Riva degli Etruschi.

Born from the collaboration between the prestigious Riva degli Etruschi resort and Vini Migranti, an event conceived by Teseo Geri to showcase niche winemaking, Vini Bagnanti, which also benefits from the valuable collaboration with Slow Food, is more than just a tasting: it is a multisensory experience that blends the beauty of the Tuscan maritime landscape with the excellence of Italian and international artisanal wine and the goodness of sartorial gastronomy and catering.

This second edition will see, in addition to the participation of 50 wineries selected for their coherence with the values of sustainability, territorial identity and artisanal quality, also many new features that will make the event even more engaging.

In fact, they will be organised

– Interactive and tasting workshops by Slow Food

– Taste Laboratory, at the Mariva Dune restaurant, curated by Slow Wine and the University of Gastronomic Sciences of Pollenzo, where participants will have the opportunity to discover the fascinating world of white wines for aging

– Larger food area: in addition to the five restaurants of the resort, this year there will be refreshment points that will offer a selection of high quality products. The producers will be selected by Slow Food Condotta Costa degli Etruschi

– Thematic areas designed to encourage authentic dialogue between producers and enthusiasts in a journey that not only celebrates wine, but also tells the stories and values of each winery.

The entrance ticket will be 20 euros per person and will include a personalized glass and shoulder strap, unlimited wine tastings and participation in the workshops . The Laboratorio del Gusto dedicated to white wines for aging will require a separate ticket.

“ It confirms itself as an important edition with many new features – comments Teseo Geri -. After the success of Vini Migranti 2025 and the last edition of VINI BAGNANTI, this year we have involved winemakers who come from abroad, specifically Champagne, Spain, Hungary and Greece. There are also many Italian companies from Piedmont to Sicily and obviously many Tuscan companies from the well-known ones to those that will surely be a pleasant discovery.”

Riva degli Etruschi, with over 60 years of history, is an ecosystem of values. Immersed in 35 hectares of parkland, with 8,000 trees and shrubs and with over 400 accommodations, five restaurants, an organic farm and sustainable wine production , it is a point of reference for Tuscan hospitality and an active center of gastronomic and environmental culture, in close collaboration with the University of Florence, the University of Gastronomic Sciences of Pollenzo and Slow Food.

Among the excellent products produced internally are ancient vegetables and grains, the Violet Artichoke of Val di Cornia, a Slow Food presidium, the EVO oil of Tenuta Biliotto, the white and red “Marittimo” wines produced in collaboration with Michele Satta, one of the most important producers of Bolgheri, and the spirits created with Nannoni Grappe.

Participating in Vini Bagnanti can also be an opportunity to live an engaging and regenerating experience for a relaxing weekend by the sea. With its 400 accommodations including rooms, villas and residences immersed in nature, it is the ideal destination for those traveling alone or in couples, for families or groups of friends. The welcome is in fact designed for every need, even from a gastronomic point of view thanks to the five restaurants present within the structure, each with its own identity:

– Mariva Dune: fine dining

– Nautico: Seafood restaurant, with a focus on fish sustainability (collaboration with UNISG)

– Mistral: Tuscan flavours

– All’Orto: zero-mile cuisine with ingredients from the organic garden, a link between the agricultural area of Riva degli Etruschi and the table

– Magù: gourmet pizza and selection of beers. The pizzeria is characterized by a new project on the research of raw materials, with a focus on ancient grains, thanks to the collaboration with Mulino Le Pietre

Vieri Mantelli, Marketing & Revenue Director of Riva degli Etruschi:

“ The great success of the first edition has pushed us to strengthen and invest, even more convincingly, energy and resources in this event. We strongly believe that it is an important event, not only for Riva degli Etruschi, but for the entire territory and for all the local realities that are part of it.

For years, the bond with the territory has been a central theme for us in all the activities we carry out, it is no coincidence, in fact, if we wanted an even more important involvement by Slow Wine and Slow Food in the selection of wine and food producers.

This event involves all the partners with whom we collaborate, a network composed of the University of Gastronomic Sciences of Pollenzo, Slow Food, Slow Wine, the Wine Bank and Vini Migranti.

Through Vini Bagnanti we tell a story: Italian wine and food excellence, with a particular focus on Tuscany and a strong focus on sustainability.

It is not only an opportunity to discover small excellent wineries: it is a way to say that the local community is alive, dynamic, rich in content. The companies do not only bring a product, but an identity, a thought, a vision.

Our role is to connect these ideas. We want to propose a new way of tasting: not starting from the label or the geographical origin, but from the story that each company has to tell. For this reason we have chosen to organize the producers by thematic areas, a courageous choice, perhaps unusual, but necessary to bring out their uniqueness.”

Vini Bagnanti benefits from the collaboration with Slow Food Costa degli Etruschi, Slow Wine, University of Gastronomic Sciences of Pollenzo, Banca del Vino and Vini Migranti.

INFO

Where: Riva degli Etruschi, via della Principessa 120 San Vincenzo (LI)

When: June 21, 2025 – 6:30 PM to 11:30 PM

Cost: Entrance ticket: €20 (including glass, shoulder strap and unlimited tastings) info@vinibagnanti.it

From Friday 9 to Sunday 11 May 2025, Bologna will be a small Italian wine capital with 100 wineries present between Piazza Nettuno, Palazzo Re Enzo and Sala Borsa.

After the great success of the first two editions in Piazza Minghetti in 2023 and 2024, which saw the participation of 10,000 participants per year, Bologna Wine Week returns with an even more ambitious proposal, capable of uniting the general public and industry professionals in a sensorial and educational journey through the world of wine. The event that promotes the culture of wine and Italian and regional wine excellence moves to the heart of Bologna, between Piazza Nettuno , Palazzo Re Enzo and Sala Borsa, bringing attention to the world of wine for an entire week. At Palazzo Re Enzo there will be between 80 and 100 wineries, with a good representation of the Colli Bolognesi, but also of the entire region and beyond, offering a complete overview of Italian wine production, with particular attention to local excellence: “ The idea arose from the desire to create an event that celebrated Italian wine excellence with a particular focus on the wines of Emilia-Romagna – says the organizer Gian Marco Gabarello – We wanted to offer both industry professionals and the general public an opportunity to meet, taste and learn more about wine culture in a convivial and accessible context ”. The third edition of the Bologna Wine Week aims to increase the presence of industry operators through passes dedicated to buyers and professionals, without losing its connection with the general public and enthusiasts will be able to participate in guided tastings, discover new labels and learn more about wine culture through masterclasses and meetings with experts, who will accompany visitors in discovering the wineries, tastings and various activities on the program. Among the new features of the 2025 edition is a focus on sparkling wines thanks to the partnership with Spumanti Italia , now in its seventh edition: “ in recent years the world of sparkling wines has grown a lot and today there are several wineries that offer a bubble in their wine list – underlines Andrea Zanfi, founder of Spumanti Italia – the partnership with the Bologna Wine Week is for us a way to join forces and propose a great event in this city” . There will also be a room dedicated to spirits, which will allow visitors to explore the world of mixology and artisanal production, further enriching the experience of the event. The program is being defined and all the details will be revealed soon but it is anticipated from now that the entire week will be animated by OFF events in partner restaurants and venues, with a focus on regional wines: thanks to these initiatives, the event expands its offer and actively involves the city, transforming it into a widespread stage dedicated to the culture of wine. The event is conceived and organized by Gian Marco Gabarello through his company Ebrezze , a reality that combines catering, hospitality and drinking culture. In addition to giving life to Bologna Wine Week , the company manages Ebrezze , a seafood restaurant and cocktail bar in the heart of the city (Via Castiglione, 11D), and Ebrezze Giardino , the suggestive summer venue on the hills of Bologna. With this event, Ebrezze strengthens its role in the food and wine panorama, enhancing wine as a central element of a cultural and convivial experience that involves the entire city. Bologna Wine Week 2025 will take place from Friday 9 to Sunday 11 May 2025 and is already confirmed as an unmissable event for all those who love wine, want to delve into certain themes and live an authentic experience of culture, flavors and discoveries.