The organizers of the 11th World Bulk Wine Exhibition (WBWE), which will be held on 2-3 December 2019 in Amsterdam, have unanimously agreed to award the “Voice of Wine” Prize to the Italian Alleanza delle Cooperative in recognition of their work in support of the wine sector, having placed an emphasis on bulk wine, and as well as for their efforts carried out in Italian rural areas.

The Alleanza is formed by a total of 480 cooperatives with 141,000 members who produce almost 60% of Italy’s overall wine production and generate more than 5,200 million euros, i.e. 40% of the sector’s overall turnover.

The Voice of Wine Prize is devoted to the recognition of the efforts of individuals, companies, institutions or associations that are characterised by their support of the wine industry in general and of the bulk wine sector in particular. The winners so far have been: the OIV (International Organisation of Vine and Wine), the European Committee of Wine Companies, Argentina’s Wine Corporation, Wines of South Africa, Coop de France Languedoc-Roussillon, Wines of Moldova, Prochile and the Regional Government of Castile-La Mancha.

Moreover, the Italian cooperatives represent more than half of the wine production with a Protected Designation of Origin and 65% of the wines with a Protected Geographical Indication. Furthermore, in some regions such as Veneto, they account for 80% of the wineries while in Lambrusco they reach 90% like in the areas of the PDO of Teroldego Rotaliano, Trentino, Valdadige and Casteller.

The Prize will be handed out by Director-General of the WBWE, Otilia Romero de Condés, during the launching of the cycle conferences.

Ruenza Santandrea, Head of the wine section at the “Alleanza delle cooperative italiane – agroalimentare” will participate in the award ceremony on the 2nd of December in Amsterdam.