Brescia Wine and Olive Oil Sectors Highlighted in Minister’s Visit
The brief visit to Brescia by Minister of Agricultural Policies Gianni Alemanno concluded on Friday in Moniga: a quick trip prompted by the coincidence with the Cremona Livestock Fair, during which the newly appointed minister aimed to get an initial overview of the most important agricultural sector in the country.
As has been repeatedly emphasized, Brescia’s agriculture ranks at the top nationally for the value of its gross sales (around 2,000 billion euro) and for undeniable quantitative and qualitative excellence (the province produces 13% of Italy’s milk), especially in terms of quality.
On this second aspect, representatives from the wine and olive oil sectors of Brescia were called upon. They gathered at Monte Cicogna winery for a discussion on promotional strategies for wine organized by the Garda Classico Consortium, which was concluded by Alemanno.
Attending the event were leading figures from the gastronomic sector: the director of the Franciacorta Consortium Angelo Plebani, the president of the Strada del Vino di Franciacorta association Paolo Pizziol, the president of the Consorzio del Lugana Paolo Fabiani, the president of the Strada dei Vini bresciani del Garda Andrea Guetta, and the president and director of the Ente Vini Bresciani, Alberto Pancera and Pierluigi Villa, as well as the president of Arthob, Beppe Dattoli.
Introduced by provincial Tourism Councillor Ermes Buffoli and concluded by Garda Classico president Diego Pasini, the meeting focused on the overall promotion of the territory, with particular reference to the Garda experience.
The main premise remains the high quality of typical products: this is the theme on which the minister emphasizes most. “Italy is known worldwide for its ham, wines, and cheeses, more than for industrial products or Fiat,” Alemanno said. “And that high quality, which roots our civilization and which the world increasingly seems willing to recognize in our products, will also become our weapon in the upcoming challenge we will face in the global free market.
The role of Brescia’s wine and olive oil sectors
The sector of Brescia’s wine and olive oil industries perfectly aligns with the profile sketched by the minister: a small-scale industry that has experienced an extraordinary qualitative growth over the past ten years.
“There’s little doubt that Garda, and Valtenesi in particular, are areas with a long-standing winegrowing tradition, as well as being tourist destinations,” said Diego Pasini. “This tradition laid the foundation for a resurgence, transforming the Garda Classico DOC into a growing sector both quantitatively and economically, and especially in terms of quality.”
“The territory is everything to us: we’ve just launched a contest for the best wine list of Brescia, which will involve the restaurant industry and all the wines of our province.”
The presentation of the Strade del Vino (“Wine Roads”) initiative, along with the reaffirmation of the intention to establish a single protection consortium for Garda PDO olive oil producers (Brescian, Veronese, and Trentino varieties), further confirmed the vibrant movement within Brescia’s wine and olive oil worlds. On the evening in Moniga, this community managed to find harmony with Minister Alemanno’s vision.
