by Subhash Arora
Italy is geared up to invade India - culturally, gastronomically and musically - through the Festa Italiana, a month long festival organized by ICE an IICCI that kicks
off today in Mumbai. The numerous activities planned include fashion, design, leather, chemicals, education, music, tourism and most importantly, food and wine, and ends with their participation at IFE, the annual Indian food and wine fair, from the 7th to the 9th of December 2006 in New Delhi.
An exposition of Italian food products and a chef competition will see different Italian cuisines and wines from different regions being served at several hotels and restaurants in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata and Chennai. Mr. Giancarlo Lamio, the Italian Trade Commissioner in Delhi, comments that "Italy and India share many common interests, including food and wine. We want to showcase our products in many areas so our two countries can come even closer."
During the Festival, ICE plans to release an Italian Wine Guide. Targeted at high spenders of Delhi and Mumbai, it aims to create awareness about the Italian wines available in India and promote their consumption. At present there are about 350 Italian labels on the local market, a 65% increase over last year. Italian wine seminars are being organized in the two cities in collaboration with Indian Wine Academy. Dr. Marco Sabellico of Gambero Rosso has been especially invited for these events.
