The final of the 16th edition of JETCUP, the competition organised by Japan Europe Trading with the patronage of the Italian Embassy in Japan to select the best Italian wine sommeliers, was held at the Italian Cultural Institute in Tokyo. In addition to improving their knowledge and skills, and promoting the further development of Italian wines in the Japanese market, the exclusive competition, launched in 2007, awards the title of "Ambassador of Italian Wine" - which this year went to Takuma Yamada of the Palace Hotel Tokyo. out of a list of 75 participants in four locations in Japan: in addition to the capital, Osaka, Nagoya and Fukuoka. Along with the title, the winner will win a two-week training course on Italian wine, and, unique this year, the designation of 'Italian Wine Ambassador' for Expo Osaka 2025, under the auspices of the Italian Pavilion.
"It is precisely these initiatives, these repeating ones, that certainly strengthen our ability to penetrate the global market," emphasises the Italian Ambassador to Japan, Gianluigi Benedetti. "The case of wine is a school case, because for 15 years Italian wine has been experiencing a great explosion of appreciation, knowledge and diffusion in the Rising Sun'. A target aimed at an even more varied basin in view of global appointments. "Precisely because I will play this role of ambassador, in addition to wine and culinary culture, I will have to delve into what are the historical and cultural references of Italy - which is what I want to convey to the next visitors to Expo 2025 in Osaka," the young Yamada, winner of the competition, explained to ANSA. Favourable opportunities to be contextualised and opportunities to be turned to our advantage, Mario Vattani, Commissioner General for Italy at Expo 2025 Osaka, who was present at the event, reiterated to ANSA. "There is the cultural aspect and there is the economic theme, because wine is a very important export in Italy. We have to enrich the tourist offer in our country, because those who are passionate about indigenous vineyards or special flavours leave the main road that often leads only to Rome, Florence, Milan and Venice. To do this, a story must be told, because people in drinking must feel that they are learning more than simply tasting a flavour. This has been said by all sommeliers today. The word culture has always appeared'.
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