Bordeaux and Vinitaly coordinate calendars

The Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux (UGCB) and Vinitaly have signed an agreement to coordinate their events for the next four years.

The two bodies have defined their calendars to avoid any overlap and allow members of the international trade and press to better optimise their time and attendance at primeurs and the Italian exhibition.

Olivier Bernard, president of UGCB, said that the decision was taken to, “satisfy the expectations of our customers, be they European, American or Asian. It was our duty to provide effective solutions and visitors will now be able to attend both Vinitaly in Verona and ‘Semaine des Primeurs’ in Bordeaux.”

Traditionally held in April, primeurs week and Vinitaly are two of the key events in the trade calendar.

Commenting on the decision, Giovanni Mantovani, CEO & general director of Veronafiere, said: “In times of market globalisation, France and Italy of wine have managed to cross fences with this exemplary initiative in the interests of the entire system.

“Starting from reciprocal acknowledgement of the importance of the two events, UGCB and Vinitaly acted with realism, professionalism and common sense in a context of maximum effectiveness.”

From next year, primeur week and Vinitaly will be held on the following dates:

Primeurs in Bordeaux  

2014: 31 March – 5 April

2015: 30 March – 3 April

2016: 4 – 8 April

2017: 3 – 7 April

Vinitaly in Verona

2014: 6 – 9 April

2015: 22 – 25 March

2016: 10 – 13 April

2017: 26 – 29 March