Cantine Aperte/Open Cellars 2006: Lets meet in the wineries of the Wine Tourism Movement of Friuli Venezia Giulia

Cantine Aperte/Open Cellars, which this year will take place on Saturday the 27th and Sunday the 28th of May, once again returns as the year's biggest enotouristic celebration. The event symbolizes the Wine Tourism Movement which, thanks to support from the Regional Busines Council and the Bank of Cividale, gives wine-lovers the opportunity to immerse themselves in a world they love and appreciate. Here, wine-lovers can follow their wish to 'drink well' and also to discover the most beautiful of viticultural areas. Open Cellars transforms our region into a fermenting place where thousands of enotourists visit the wineries associated with the Wine Tourism Movement and discover the best in art, culture, nature, and gastronomy that Friuli Venezia Giulia hs to offer.

Associated wineries open their cellar doors and welcome visitors with genuine hospitality. Guided cellar tours, vineyard tours, and tastings are all available on Sunday, 28th May in all 8 DOC zones of the region: Friuli Isonzo, Collio, Carso, Friuli Grave, Colli Orientali, Friuli Latisana, Friuli Annia, Friuli Aquilea. Many of the wineries also organize shows and entertainment related to music and art in order to bring even more cheer to the special event. Concerts, theatre performances, sporting events, art expos, and antique shows are a few of the inititaives that will come to life in the open spaces of the wineries. Maps and Wine Route Guides, provided by Madimer, will be avaialble at all associated wineries througout the the entire 2- day event.

Upon entering the wineries, you'll be able to purchase the 2006 Open Cellars Tasting Glass contribute to aiding UNICEF projects. For many years, The Wine Tourism Movement of Friuli Venezia Giulia has been supporting UNICEF through the sale of the commemorative glasses.

Saturday, 27th May will offer a taste of what will follow on Sunday: many wineries have decided to open a day early for guided tastings by appointment only. This day is set aside for those who wish to broaden their knowledge of the regional wine world by meeting directly with the producers. Large and small groups alike will be welcomed by the producers into their tasting rooms throughout Saturday. To ensure the best possible experience for guests, the Wine Tourism Movement will take advantage of its new collaboration with the Association of Italian Sommeliers -FVG Branch- to gaurantee quality tastings throughout the weekend.

The Wine Tourism Movement is dedicated not only to promoting viticultural activity, but also to developing the inherent value of our regional gastronomy thanks to the collaboration of the Tutelage Consortiums and many important DOP producers. Enotourists can therefore taste prosciutto San Daniele Dok Dall'Ava and Montasio cheese from Latterie Friulane; both of which will be ideal matches during the many wine tastings. For the little ones, apple juice made from the choicest apples grown in Friuli Venezia Giulia will be available. These apples are indigenous to the region and are protected with a DOP certification of quality.

Remaining on a tasting theme, once again this year it will be possible to book a place for 'Dinner with the Wine-makers' for Saturday, 27th May. At this event, guests can sample exquisite dishes matched to wines directly at the homes and cellars of the producers.

Open Cellars also means sport and nature: Cantine Aperte Bike/Open Cellars Bike, which takes place Sunday, 28th May, is an enotouristic tour that takes cyclists through the most enticing vineyard scenery of the region. Departing from the heart of the Collio, the route winds past spectacular landscapes of the region and into the most reknown cellars for tastings.

The seventh edition of the international competition called Spirito di Vino/Spirit of Wine will also form part Open Cellars event. On September 16, 2006 in Udine, prizes will be awarded to young competitors between the ages of 18 to 35 who have best captured the spirit of wine with a satirical cartoon or sketch. Beginning on the last weekend in May 2006, hopeful artists will be able to submit their work to the MTV-FVG secretary's office for consideration. Thirty (30) prizes will be awarded in all with 3 top-place finishers.

Enotourists can also fully enjoy the great celebrations of Open Cellars thanks to travel itineraries created by 'Vinodila’' the tour-operating arm of the Wine Tourism Movement. Pleasant stays at the wineries and regional 'discovery' routes have been appropriately studied and put in place so as to allow foreign guests to best enjoy their journey in Friuli Venezia Giulia.

For Further Informations:

Movimento Turismo del Vino/Wine Tourism Movement
Friuli Venezia Giulia
Tel. +39.0432.289540
Fax +39.0432.294021
www.mtvfriulivg.it
info@mtvfriulivg.it