The Italian agricultural association Coldiretti reports that the United States is the top consumer of Italian wine, importing more than €1.3 billion worth last year alone. But wine enthusiasts know that their experiences can go beyond simply tasting. In fact, American travelers are getting more and more involved in Enotourism — travel focused on interest in the wine industry. Select Italy (http://selectitaly.com), a boutique travel company specialized in Italy, has established strategic partnerships with some of the most esteemed wine families in Italy offering clients the rare opportunity to explore not only the flavors, but also the history and culture of the land, as well as the people responsible for Italy’s iconic wineries and vineyards.
The latest numbers from ISMEA Mercati show a significant rise in imported wines in the USA in the first trimester of 2016 (+8% since 2015), and Italy reconfirms its position as main distributor in the United States. So visitors from the US traveling to Italy should not miss the opportunity to experience the Bel Paese from a different perspective. Boasting some of the most exclusive wine activities, Select Italy clients can visit wineries, learn how grapes are grown, meet the owners and families working the land, and better understand what goes into making the wine they enjoy back home.
A few of Select Italy’s new wine experiences include:
- De-Wine: Wines of the Castelli Romani, Summer Residence of the Popes – Blending interests, wine connoisseurs and history lovers can enjoy some of the best DOC wines, while touring an estate that dates back to Pope Boniface VIII in 1301.
- Montepulciano & Pienza: Full Day Wine Tour – Travelers will uncover the secrets of 1,000-year-old winemaking families and the tradition behind their unrivaled varietals.
- Veneto: The Land of Prosecco – Visitors will learn how a family-run business has transformed a simple white wine into one of the most remarkable Proseccos in the world.
“For many of our clients, learning how their favorite wines are produced makes for an unforgettable vacation, and visiting wineries in Italy is one of the new trends travelers try to fit in their itineraries while touring the boot” says Silvia Bolasco-Gianfortune, Manager, Custom Travel Planning. “Italian wines are some of the greatest in the world, and travelers don’t have to be experts to enjoy them. Wine appreciation can be taught, and our exclusive experiences help to educate and delight every client’s palate.”
For further information about Select Italy’s premier wine experiences and to see the complete portfolio of travel services to Italy, visit selectitaly.com.
About Select Italy
Select Italy® is The Ultimate Source for Travel to Italy® and offers a wide array of superior Italian travel products and services, including customized itineraries, state-of-the-art tours and packages, wedding/honeymoon trips, unique culinary classes, a complete pre-departure ticketing service for museums and musical events, private guided services, yacht charters, transportation, hotel reservations, villa bookings and more. Through a vast network of suppliers and cultural contacts, anything and everything you need for optimum travel to Italy is possible with Select Italy. Based in Chicago with an office in New York and Shanghai and support staff in Italy, the company has expanded its offerings and travel services to the Balkans with the launch of Select Croatia®.
