2020 VINTAGE DEBUTS FROM JANUARY 31 TO FEBRUARY 2 IN VERONA
Seventy-four wineries and 106 accredited journalists, including 73 from 26 countries—from Argentina to the United Arab Emirates, Japan to the USA, Poland to China, and even Singapore and the UK. This is the current snapshot leading up to the 21st edition of Amarone Opera Prima, the event organized by the Valpolicella Wine Consortium, taking place in Verona at the Palazzo della Gran Guardia from January 31 to February 2, 2025. This edition kicks off the celebrations for the 100th anniversary of the Consortium, which protects and promotes one of the most prestigious Italian wine denominations.
Center stage at the tasting tables and technical tasting sessions is the official market debut of the 2020 Amarone vintage, while the spotlight in the auditorium shines on actor and theater director Andrea Pennacchi, who presents “Amarone, An Epic in Valpolicella”, a monologue specially created for the Consortium’s centenary.
According to President Christian Marchesini: “In this special edition, Amarone Opera Prima looks toward the future, especially at new growth opportunities for the denomination in an accelerated evolutionary context, which requires a paradigm shift based on renewed strategies and approaches. Our commitment to promotion is stronger than ever, and wineries are responding with record participation in the event and increased membership in the Consortium, with 51 new members in 2024.”
Event Highlights:
- Friday, January 31 – The event opens exclusively to invited national and international press with two masterclasses:
- “Amarone: Iconic of Fine Dining in the World’s 50” led by expert JC Viens, featuring a tasting of Amarone wines from the wine lists of the world’s top 50 restaurants, according to the annual ranking by the British magazine Restaurant (Palazzo della Gran Guardia, 10:30 AM).
- A three-Michelin-starred lunch curated by Giancarlo Perbellini at the Teatro Filarmonico.
- In the afternoon, Master of Wine Andrea Lonardi, also Vice President of the Consortium, leads “The Memory of Time: A Journey Through Historic Amarone Vintages” (3:00 PM, Palazzo della Gran Guardia).
- Saturday, February 1 – The day begins with the panel “Valpolicella: 100 Years Between Past and Future of the Denomination”, featuring talks by Christian Marchesini and Carlo Flamini (Head of the Wine Observatory of the Italian Wine Union), moderated by Andrea Andreoli, Director of Telenuovo. This is followed by the premiere of Andrea Pennacchi’s original theatrical performance.
Starting at 12:30 PM, tastings at the stands of the 74 producers will open, welcoming the general public of Amarone lovers from 4:00 PM onwards.
- Sunday, February 2 – The final day, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, is dedicated to wine enthusiasts and industry professionals, especially from the restaurant sector. The event concludes with the aperitif “Valpolicella: Freshness and Creativity in the Glass” curated by the Consortium’s Youth Group.