Opportunities and Threats for White Wines of Excellence: Antonio Galloni of Wine Advocate to Headline Conference

GORIZIA, ITALY--(Marketwire - Oct 24, 2011) - The Wine Advocate's Antonio Galloni will present at an international two-day conference on the future of the world's top white wines. Hosted by one of Italy's finest white wine areas, Friuli Venezia Giulia, where the premium Collio region is located, the conference will focus on the opportunities and threats for the world's major white wines in today's increasingly global market. Taking place November 11^th and 12^th, seminars and workshops will include topics on the product itself to the production chain and tourism.

The conference takes place in the province of Gorizia, amid the beauty of the Collio region in Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy. A video of the conference seminars will be posted to www.friulitopwhitewines.it at the end of each conference day so that all parties interested in viewing the conference from anywhere in the world can do so.

"The conference is the first of its kind, and will cover an economically important segment of the industry -- top white wines," says Alessandra Gruppi, project manager for the conference through the Consorzio Tutela Vini Collio e Carso. "We are thrilled to have Antonio Galloni and a host of other prominent speakers join us for this major event."

Antonio Galloni will present on the premium white wines of Friuli Venezia Giulia in today's global market. Mr. Galloni will share his views on how these wines are viewed throughout the U.S. and the world and on raising general awareness of the wines. Later in the conference, Mr. Galloni will present on the market for white wines in general, including Friuli's and Collio's roles in the market.

Other noted speakers include Filip Cayman of Wine Intelligence; Michèle Shah, Marketing Consultant for over 30 years, specializing in the promotion of Italian wines to export markets; Paul Wagner, President of Balzac Communications, covering quality tourism in a quality white wine region; and Mark Chandler whose leadership has been instrumental in growing and increasing awareness of California's Lodi wine region, among other top speakers.

Whether you produce, sell, promote, educate or write about white wines, are in a wine certificate or diploma program, or involved in the white wine trade in any way, this conference will cover the most important issues facing the future of top white wines in our global market.

About the Consorzio Tutela Vini Collio Carso

In 1964 a local wine association was created in Collio, called the Consorzio Tutela Vini del Collio. This association was one of the first wine assocations in Italy, and in 1968 it received the recognition of the denomination of origin (Collio DOC), a designation of quality in Italy. The charismatic president of the association at that time, Count Attems, had the vision to merge the best local producers, encouraging excellence in the quality of the wine produced.

In 2010, the fusion of the historic Consorzio Tutela Vini Collio (1964) with another wine association, the Consorzio Tutela Vini Carso, led to the birth of the Consorzio Tutela Vini Collio e Carso. The challenge continues today with dynamic creativity and innovation.