Simply Italian: Great Wines US Tour returns to New York, Chicago and Washington D.C.

Simply Italian: Great Wines, presented by I.E.E.M. (International Event and Exhibition Management), is designed to be the world’s premiere Italian wine experience. Over 40 wineries will be on hand, represented by winemakers, winery owners and brand specialists to bring the incredible culture and passion of Italian winemaking, glass by glass, to trade professionals. In addition, a series of seminars and guided tastings are scheduled for the morning hours to augment the afternoon walk-around trade tasting.

The 2012 Simply Italian Great Wines US Tour heads first to New York City at the iconic New York Public Library on October 15. Four different guided tastings and seminars will be presented throughout the day, among them “The Legends of Italian Wine” – a rare opportunity to meet legendary producers and taste  signature wines from  the 19 wineries of the Istituto Grandi Marchi, a collection of Italy’s top winemaking producers including Alois Lageder, Ambrogio & Giovanni Folari Tenute,  Antinori, Argiolas,  Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo, Carpene’ Malvolti, Donnafugata, Jermann, Lungarotti,  Masi, Mastroberardino, Michele Chiarlo,  Pio Cesare, Rivera, Tasca d’Almerita and Umani Ronchi, and moderated by Gloria Maroti Frazee of Wine Spectator. Another not to be missed seminar and guided tasting features the “Faboulous Wines of Collio” will be moderated by the charismatic Charlie Arturaola, world renown sommelier and protagonist of “The Ways of Wine”.  In the afternoon, there will be a walk-around tasting hosted in the spectacular Bartos Forum room.

Next stop on the tour will be Chicago on October 17 at the stylish Hotel Sax in downtown Chicago, the crown jewel of the historic Marina City complex.  Over 30 different wineries will be present at the walk around tasting while notable seminars/guided tastings will include “The Faboulous Wines of Collio” and “Veneto, Land of Excellence” presented by Tom Hyland, expert journalist in Italian wine.

The tour will end by revisiting the national’s capital Washington D.C. at the chic Madison Hotel on October 18.  A walk-around tasting open to trade and wine-lovers will offer the opportunity for producers to showcase their new vintages along with favorite classics.

Participating consortiums and institutions include: Federdoc, associations of the Friuli, Friuli-Grave, Friuli-Collio, Chamber of Commerce of Udine, U.Vi.Ve - Unione Vini Veneto, prominent wineries such as Biondi Santi from Tuscany, Riccardo Ricci Curbastron and well-known producers from Sicily, Piedmont, Friuli and other Italian regions.  Also exhibiting will be wineries of the Istituto Grandi Marchi - Alois Lageder, Ambrogio & Giovanni Folari Tenute,  Antinori, Argiolas, Biondi Santi Tenute Greppo, Ca’ del Bosco, Carpene’ Malvolti, Donnafugata, Gaja, Jermann, Lungarotti,  Masi, Mastroberardino, Michele Chiarlo, Pio Cesare, Rivera, Tasca d’Almerita and Umani Ronchi.

I.E.E.M. (International Event & Exhibition Management), the Miami-based branch of I.E.M. (International Exhibition Management), is a comprehensive agency specializing in marketing, events production and public relations for the wine industry. Driven by a passion for trade shows and a flair for flawless organization, I.E.M. was founded in 1999 by industry veterans Giancarlo Voglino and Marina Nedic. A reputation for constantly delivering high quality events coupled with its extensive network of contacts with trade professionals and international press has led IEEM/IEM to become one of the most well-regarded Italian wine event organizers in the world.  Learn more at www.ieemusa.com