THE BEST WINE BAR IN ITALY 2024: THE FINAL IN ROME

The finalists of the Best Professional Winemaker of Italy 2024 Competition will meet for the final on November 11 at Palazzo Valentini, in the heart of Rome. The Competition, organized by AEPI (Associazione Enotecari Professionisti Italiani), aims to enhance the figure of the Professional Winemaker , a constantly growing role that is attracting more and more young people, as demonstrated by the finalists, most of whom are Under 30. This initiative not only celebrates excellence in the sector, but also aims to encourage winemakers to continually improve , stimulating them to get involved, deepen their knowledge and develop critical thinking.

The six finalists of the Competition are: Daniele Liurni (Rome), Diletta Landozzi (Siena), Mattia Manganaro (Brescia), for the Bottle Shop category, and Silvia Angelozzi (Alba Adriatica, TE), Lorenzo Longhi (Milan) and Nicola Prestini (Brescia) for the Wine Shop with Glass of Wine category.

During the test, the finalists will have to deal with complex topics, which require analytical skills, reasoning ability and a solid technical preparation , functional to be able to answer questions both in Italian and in English, which combine listening skills, imagination, adaptability, empathy and sometimes knowledge of the psychology of the customer.

There are two categories of participation: the first is dedicated to wine merchants who work in shops with take-away sales, and the second is reserved for those who work in public establishments that also serve wine, such as wine bars, wine shops and taverns, where it is possible to taste and buy wines and spirits.

Finally, special prizes will be awarded: Best Winemaker Under 30 , sponsored by the Chianti Classico Wine Consortium, Best Italian Winemaker Abroad , under the aegis of the Consorzio Tutela Vini Friuli Colli Orientali.

The announcement and award ceremony for the winners will begin at 6:15 p.m., preceded at 5:00 p.m. by the round table “The role of the professional winemaker: today, tomorrow and the day after tomorrow”, moderated by Carlo Hausmann. During the meeting , the challenges and future opportunities of the wine sector will be discussed , addressing topics such as alcohol-free wine, natural wines, overproduction and new consumer trends. The Consortium for the Protection of DOC Cirò and Melissa Wines, the Consortium for the Protection of Chianti Classico Wines, the Consortium for the Protection of Colli Orientali and Ramandolo Friuli, the Institute for the Protection of Grappa del Trentino and the Consortium for the Protection of Wines del Trentino will be present.

Who is the Professional Winemaker?

The Enotecario is establishing itself as a complex and multifunctional figure, not limited to the simple sale of wine. In addition to advising on the choice of purchasing wines, it organizes courses for approaching wine, manages private tastings and offers personalized advice for the management of cellars.

Furthermore, the Enotecario is able to estimate the value of fine bottles, operating in a market monitored by the LivEx index which highlights the solidity of the sector even in times of crisis.

Last but not least, the Enotecario is an active communicator, collaborating with magazines, influencing social media and participating in juries of wine competitions, thus contributing to spreading the culture of wine.