The Barbera d’Asti and Monferrato Wines Consortium is wrapping up an extraordinary 2024, marked by a packed calendar of events that showcased Monferrato’s wine excellence both in Italy and worldwide
December 20, 2024 (Costigliole d’Asti, Asti) — The Barbera d’Asti and Monferrato Wines Consortium concludes an intense and milestone-filled year, during which the excellence of Monferrato’s wines reached new heights of visibility and appreciation both in Italy and abroad. With a calendar of events that combined promotion, culture, and tasting experiences, the Consortium further solidified Barbera d’Asti and its denominations as symbols of quality and authenticity.
The crown jewel of these activities was the inaugural edition of the Barbera d’Asti Wine Festival, held in Asti in September. This event attracted wine enthusiasts, industry professionals, and cultural and artistic figures. Renowned personalities from the worlds of literature, wine, and music—such as author Stefania Auci, journalists and critics Jeff Porter, Aldo Fiordelli, Veronika Crecelius, and Othmar Kiem, as well as singer-songwriter Giorgio Conte—shared their stories and insights into the winemaking world, with a particular focus on Barbera and the Monferrato region.
“This first edition of the Barbera d’Asti Wine Festival has been an unmissable opportunity to celebrate and give due recognition to Barbera, a true symbol of our territorial identity,” stated Vitaliano Maccario, President of the Consortium. “We will certainly bring this event back next year, with the goal of making this grape variety increasingly renowned and establishing it as a reference point for experts and wine lovers eager to taste the finest Barbera wines.”
In 2024, the Consortium took center stage not only at a national level but also in some of the world’s most important markets, participating in top-tier events. Among these was the Barbera Fish Festival in Oslo in March, which marked the tenth anniversary of the historic pairing between Barbera and cod. The event featured walk-around tastings and two masterclasses.
During the same period, the Monferrato Identity initiative was held with great success in the Netherlands and Belgium, allowing hundreds of industry professionals and enthusiasts to discover the region’s excellence. Beyond Europe, the Barbera and Monferrato wines also starred in an extensive calendar of targeted tastings across the United States and Canada, drawing buyers, restaurateurs, and wine lovers. These efforts further solidified the Consortium’s presence in North American markets.
“The response from international markets has been exceptional,” added Vitaliano Maccario. “We have demonstrated that our wines are perfect ambassadors of Monferrato, thanks to their quality and unique history.” Numerous initiatives were also organized to showcase the territory to both Italian and international press, including prominent names such as Falstaff, Jeff Porter, and Stevie Kim. These renowned journalists and prestigious magazines had the opportunity to experience and explore the Monferrato region and its wines firsthand.
Significant attention was also given to trade fairs in Italy, including the Salone del Vino in Turin, Vinitaly in Verona, and Vinóforum in Rome. These events saw a strong turnout at the Consortium’s booth, confirming the growing interest of both industry professionals and the public in Monferrato wines. In addition to major events, the promotion of Barbera and the Monferrato region also took place throughout the year during glamorous moments dedicated to wine lovers, such as Milano Wine Week and Golosaria.
“2024 has been a milestone year for Barbera d’Asti and the wines of Monferrato, solidifying the role of the Consortium,” concluded Vitaliano Maccario. “The results achieved have opened new opportunities in international markets and strengthened our dialogue with the public, laying the groundwork for an even more promising future.”
THE BARBERA D’ASTI AND MONFERRATO WINES CONSORTIUM
Founded in 1946, the Barbera d’Asti and Monferrato Wines Consortium is responsible for protecting and promoting its denominations to ensure their distribution and image in both national and international markets, also through the use of specific distinguishing trademarks. Currently, the Consortium has more than 410 member companies and protects 14 designated denominations.
