On February 25th, 2010 at Marriott Marquis in New York

The GALA ITALIA is jointly organized by the Italian Wine & Food Institute and the Italian Trade Commission, under the high patronage of the Italian Ambassador in Washington, with the sponsorship of the Milan Chamber of Commerce and the cooperation of the Italian Cultural Institute and the New York Italian Government Tourist Board.

Simona Ventura, famous Italian television showgirl, will be the guest of honor at the 25th edition of GALA ITALIA to be held February 25, 2010, under the high patronage of the Italian Ambassador in Washington, Giulio Terzi di Sant’Agata.

The acclaimed GALA ITALIA has been and still is the foremost presentation of the “Made in Italy” that has been promoting the best of Italian wines, gastronomy, fashion, music, art and design for the last quarter of the century in the United States.

After the success of the 2009 edition of GALA ITALIA an even more interesting program is planned for the present year.

Among the events is an exhibition of the new Fiat 500, intended for the revival of the Chrysler line of cars, shown together with the legendary Fiat 500 (Fiat Cinquecento) of the Fifties. Another feature is an exhibit of Vespas by Piaggio, one of the greatest Italian success stories of recent years in the U.S.; plus luxury Italian-made bicycles.

A key highlight of the evening will be an Italian Fashion Show, with clothes, jewelry and accessories of the spring-summer sportswear collection of StarChic by Simona Ventura. The choreographed presentation is to take place on the stage of the Broadway Ballroom and to be covered by various TV stations.

The GALA ITALIA is presenting also the promotional campaign for Italian fashion in the United States of the Italian Trade Commission.

Elena Bonelli, the well-known Italian singer, who recently performed at Carnegie Hall, and who has been directing a film shot in part in New York, will enhance the Gala with a program of popular Italian songs.

Special Italian travel prizes offered by the New York office of the Italian Government Tourist Board are to be drawn among the attendees of the GALA ITALIA.

As always, the highlight of GALA ITALIA is the grand Wine & Food Tasting from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Ballroom of the Marriott Marquis Hotel. Many leading Italian wine producers are personally presenting here again their best quality wines. Among them are those who have been instrumental for the success of Italian wines on the important American market and with their repeated participation have made an outstanding contribution to the knowledge of Italian wines in this country. The following wine makers have already confirmed their participation: Astoria, Bava, Bertani, J. Biondi Santi, Bottega Vinaia, Cantina di Montalcino, Castello di Gabbiano, Castello di Querceto, Cavit, Michele Chiarlo, Concadoro, Concilio, De Nardin, Fazi Battaglia, Feudi di San Gregorio, Fonterutoli, Gigi Rosso, Gran Sasso, Imperiale, Lunetta, Marchesi di Barolo, Carlo Pellegrino, Planeta, Rocca delle Macie, Ruffino, Sansone, Sella & Mosca, Tenuta di Arceno, Tiburzi G., Todini, and Travaglini to mention a few of them.

Again, as in the past, prestigious Italian restaurants will offer their favorite dishes. Among them are names such as: Serafina, the restaurant of the international Jet Set, the very new and elegant SD26 of Tony May, the famous Osteria del Circo of Sirio Maccioni and Aleo, Bettola, DeGrezia, Falai, Gusto, Il Punto, Il Riccio, Ornella, Salumeria Rosi, Sora Lella and Testaccio, set up in an area adjoining the Ballroom, named appropriately “Via Veneto” for the occasion. Also, a large number of Italian producers and U.S. importers of Italian specialty foods - Ferrero chocolates, Smeraldina as water sponsor and many others - will demonstrate the importance of pairing genuine Italian foods and wines.

Moreover exclusive books on wines and food are going to be presented thanks to the participation of the Little Bookroom Company.

During the Wine and Food Tasting, the wine producers will receive the traditional “Gold Medal” awarded by an American Jury to the best wine of each participating winery. The medal, especially made for the GALA ITALIA event, will be presented to the producers by an Italian personality together with a certificate of merit attesting their inclusion in the “Special Selection of Top Italian Companies” in the wine world. This contest will increase the visibility of the participating companies in GALA ITALIA and further highlight the best Italian wines.

A special color catalog is being produced for GALA ITALIA giving prominence to all the participating wineries with detailed information for the show, such as the producer's name, station number and importer's name (including address, telephone and fax numbers). Over 4000 copies of the catalog are to be distributed to all attendees and after the show to importers of Italian wines and foods.

Over 3,000 trade representatives, restaurateurs and journalists in the sector of wine, specialty foods, fashion, design and art from the US Atlantic coast are expected to attend the 2010 edition of GALA ITALIA.

The GALA ITALIA will be followed by the “Italian Wine Gala” in Los Angeles, on March 1, to expand the promotional action on behalf of the “Made in Italy” on the great markets of California and the West coast of the U.S.

For further details, please contact
Italian Wine & Food Institute
Tel.: 212 - 867-4111
Fax: 212 - 867-4114

www.italianwineandfoodinstitute.com