The event confirms itself as an effective commercial tool but also as an indoor “laboratory” where producers, operators, institutions and the world of training meet
At a time when the world of wine is experiencing a phase of profound transformation – between climate change, contraction in consumption, increase in production costs and progressive abandonment of cultivated land – the Piacenza Expo Wine Fair confirms its position not only as a trade fair, but also as a space for collective reflection on the future of the sector . After three editions in its new guise, Fiera dei Vini has demonstrated its ability to serve as an indoor “laboratory” : a place where producers, operators, enthusiasts, institutions, and the world of education meet to explore how to continue generating value while respecting the land and the communities that live there . Attendance from over 50 Italian provinces confirms the national interest in a format that focuses on quality, sustainability, and direct relationships between winemakers and the public. Opening the 2025 edition with the masterclass “Wine and the Land: Stories of Care, Custody, and Balance ,” led by Luigi Fenoglio , director of Tenuta di Forci (Lucca), represented a clear choice: to remember that at the base of every glass is a soil that must be known, protected, and worked . The message that emerged is strong: Italy is witnessing a worrying abandonment of cultivated land , particularly in the most fragile and suitable areas, where agriculture also plays a role in landscape and culture. Talking about wine today inevitably means discussing the fate of these territories. In this context, the thematic islands dedicated to organic and natural production, as well as the presence of small producers who have chosen sustainable agriculture, become not just an exhibition feature, but a concrete sign of how the supply chain is seeking new ways to combine economic, environmental, and social sustainability . In a challenging economic context, an event like Fiera dei Vini takes on a dual role . On the one hand, it is an effective commercial platform , capable of generating sales opportunities and contacts for the participating wineries, thanks to an audience of motivated and knowledgeable professionals and wine lovers. On the other, it is a cultural tool , making accessible the languages, themes, and sensibilities that are reshaping the profile of Italian wine: attention to the territory, respect for the raw material, and new ways of narrating the work in the vineyard and cellar. “This year’s edition confirmed the Wine Fair ‘s ability to attract a knowledgeable audience from many Italian regions and offer companies a market exhibition rich in content and concrete opportunities,” commented Sergio Copelli , General Coordinator of Piacenza Expo. “In a challenging time for the wine industry, events like this become essential tools for maintaining a lively dialogue between producers, operators, and consumers.” Piacenza Expo thus confirms its position as a strategic ally for companies that, in this delicate phase, need places to meet directly with consumers, test new markets, strengthen their identity, and tell their story authentically. If the future of wine depends on the land, it inevitably also depends on young people. This is why the collaboration with the “Raineri Marcora” Hotel and Catering Institute in Piacenza is so crucial. The students, involved in serving wines during masterclasses dedicated to the diverse expressions of the European food and wine scene, were not simply operational extras, but protagonists of a journey of professional and personal growth. The goal, starting in 2026, is to give this collaboration an even more solid and continuous structure, transforming the event into a true “widespread campus” where future restaurant and hotel professionals can acquire technical skills, develop an awareness of the value of the supply chain, and develop a culture of fine drinking based on quality and responsibility. Committing to their training means investing in the consumers of tomorrow, capable of shaping the market with informed choices. “The response from wineries, visitors, and partners confirms that the Fiera dei Vini formula works,” says Giuseppe Cavalli , President of Piacenza Expo. “Piacenza has established itself as a natural destination for those seeking quality Italian wine and direct contact with wineries. Our commitment is to continue to grow this project with professionalism and vision, together with the 280 producers who have believed in the event.” Committed to giving even more space to the themes of sustainability, training, and generational change, Fiera dei Vini looks to future editions as an opportunity to strengthen Piacenza’s role as a leading destination for quality Italian wine , where every glass becomes an opportunity to reflect on the future of the land and its inhabitants.