New to 2008 are the Italian Wine Seminars, situated at the East end of the hall - Stand V.40 - this feature offers visitors the opportunity to hear from leading industry commentators and buyers. The content is tasting lead but with a strong emphasis on business, modernisation and future prospects. With limited seats, make sure you get there early. The Italian Wine Seminars are free to all visitors.

• Tuesday 20th May

• 10.30am-11.30am

  Sicily, An Island of Diversity – Rosemary George MW

  The fabulous variety of Sicilian wine has only really become apparent in the last ten years or so, as viticultural and wine-making methods have improved, and the unwieldy cooperatives have increasingly given way to private producers. Italy is known for the wealth of its indigenous grape varieties, amongst which those of Sicily are gaining growing consumer recognition. Who had heard of Nero d'Avola ten years ago? This tasting will aim to give a bird's eye overview of the island's wines, from Etna to Marsala.

• 12.15pm–1.15pm

  FEDERDOC – Mr Riccardo Ricci Curbastro (Federdoc President)

  ‘VQPR - Traceability from vineyard to bottle’ and a tasting of Franciacorta

• 2.15pm-3.15pm

  A regional profile of Tuscany - Michèle Shar

  This seminar will draw on the most important appellations and production areas in Tuscany: Brunello di Montalcino, Chianti Classico, Nobile di Montepulciano, Chianti and Maremma's coastal wines. Tuscany for centuries has been classified as one of Italy's classic areas of production and today is one of Italy’s most active regions in terms of market awareness. It is in constant evolution. This seminar aims at highlighting the stylistic differences of each appelation, the production figures and export trend over the past 10 years. It also aims to focus on such issues as IGT (Supertuscans) versus the DOC/G appellations. As we travel through each area of production we will sample a number of wines which best represent the styles of wine of each appellation.

• 4.00pm-5pm

  Consorzio per la Tutela dell'Asti - Rita Barbero & Massimo Marasso

  A tasting of Asti DOCG; "Sweetness comes from the earth". A virtual trip in the land where the sweetness of Asti DOCG takes origin.

• Wednesday 21st May

• 10.45am-11.45am

  Cool elegance - the wines of Lombardy - Peter McCombie MW

  The cool, continental climate of Lombardy is perfect for the production of fine grapes for red and white table wines and for high quality sparkling wines too. From the elegant mousse of bottle fermented Franciacorta to the rude vigour of Lambrusco; from delicate, white Lugana to muscular red Sforzato Lombardy is a wine region of tremendous contrasts. Discover some of these exciting and diverse wines, with Peter McCombie MW.

• 12.30pm-1.30pm

  A regional profile of Sardinia - Michèle Shar

  This seminar will draw on the viticulture and production areas of the island of Sardegna noting how its viticulture has evolved over the past years. The seminar aims to introduce the viewer to different areas of production and excellent range of their indigenous grape varieties, highlighting the individual impact that these areas and wines have on the current production and market trends. As we look in detail at each area of production we will taste samples of the wines comparing the wines of the different appellations, which vary greatly in character and style.

• 2.15pm-3.15pm

  Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico - Daniele Rossellini

  Seminar & Tasting ‘Chianti Classico and its terroir: a comparison of the last three vintages’. The last three vintages of Chianti Classico offer a chance to travel and discover one of the most famous and appreciated DOCGs. A wine which is an expression of its territory of origin, Chianti, and of a grape variety Sangiovese, which has always been linked to the production of "Classico".

• 4.00pm-5.00pm

  Lazio: Not just Frascati and a football team - Charles Metcalfe

  Lazio is ancient Latium, the region surrounding Italy’s capital, Rome. Perhaps this very proximity made Lazio wine producers complacent over the years. Their main market was right to hand, and they didn’t have to try too hard to quench the thirst of Rome, with high-volume Frascati whites. This has changed in the last 20 years, with better transport links bringing more competition to the ‘Eternal City’, and the Lazio have upped their game. Come to try the modern Frascati wines, other whites made from characterful local varieties, and even some reds, from local and international grape varieties.

• Thursday 22nd May

• 10.30am-11.30am

  Piemonte: at the foot of the mountain the pinnacle of quality - Peter McCombie MW

  Home to one of Italy's most renowned wines - Barolo - Piemonte has a long and noble wine making history, along with an array of indigenous vines and diverse terroirs. Yet the fruits of these vines and vineyards are little known outside the area. Join Peter McCombie MW in an exploration of some of the myriad wine styles from this richly diverse region and discover how the traditional wines which are an expression of Piemont's unique terroirs and varities utilise, at the same time, some of the newest technologies in the cellar.

• 1.30pm-2.30pm

  Abruzzo: Wines of the hills and mountains – Charles Metcalfe

  Situated on the base of the ‘calf’ of the Italian boot, Abruzzo is a region where the foothills of mountains rise not far from the Adriatic coast. King of the grapes here is the black Montepulciano, which can give wines from light, fragrant rosé to rich, oak-aged red, always characterised by rich, plummy fruit. Most white wines are made from the Trebbiano grape, supplemented by the usual international crowd, and a few interesting local grapes, such as Pecorino and Passerina. In common with other southern Italian regions, wine quality in Abruzzo has improved enormously in the last 20 years.