Discover The Finest Olive Oil and Wines From Salento -
Gem of Italy's Apulia Region
New York City , Washington D.C.
June 18 — 24, 2008

By SONJA BARISIC

P.O.R. (Regional Operative Project) of Apulia 2000-2006, launches “I love Italian style" a 7-day series of events to promote the superior quality of extra-virgin olive oils and wines from the Jonico-Salentino district.

“I love Italian style" will offer the opportunity to taste and learn more about the Jonico-Salentino district, so that the press, organizations, buyers, importers/ distributors and all food lovers can enjoy the high quality and healthy taste of their products.

More than 30 companies from the Jonico-Salentino District will showcase their premium quality wines and extra-virgin olive oils, offering the opportunity to taste how truly unique and special the goods from this area are.

Olive oil and wine have always been the most important products for the Apulia region: from a 2007 survey, with more than 1.5 million hundredweight of oil and 3.8 million hectoliters of wine, Apulia produces 29% and 18% of the national total, respectively; positioning itself second among other Italian regions for olive oil production and first for wine production. Among Apuliaís total production, 50% of olive trees and 46% of vineyards are located in Jonico-Salentino, a district Americans will get to know during the 7-day event this June.

Most of the olive oil and wines produced in the Jonico-Salentino District come from indigenous crops, with a long and rich tradition which gives unique sensory properties to the final products, impossible to find in oils and wines produced anywhere else. With its 286 oleifici (pressing houses) and 116 wine cellars, many of the producers have D.O.C.(certified and defined by the geographical area of production)crops that create a singular flavor only found in Jonico-Salentino.

Of the native crops of olive oil, notable to mention are Ogliarola di Lecce (also known as Salentina), la Cellina di Nardoí and Pizzuta, typical from the Taranto area. The most distinctive wine varietals are Malvasia nera, Negroamaro and Primitivo, which are the top of their kind, creating the internationally recognized wines for which this district is renown.

Events will kick off from June 18 to June 21 in New York City, then go on to Washington D.C. from June 23 to 24.

In conjunction with participating companies and the main producers organizations, there will be a delegation of the representatives from the districts and municipalities of Jonico-Salentino, to meet guests and build connections Stateside.

During the week of events a national advertising campaign will appear on TV, in magazines and online to support these initiatives, and raise awareness of this special district and its superior olive oils and wines.

Calendar of events:

NEW YORK

Wednesday June 18, 2008 - 11AM
ICE Italian Trade Commission - 33 East 67th Street New York, NY 10021
Press Conference

Thursday June 19, 2008 - 3PM
BuonItalia at Chelsea Market - 75 Ninth Avenue New York, NY 10011
Meet and greet with representatives of the trade
5PM Tasting of typical products from Salento

Friday June 20, 2008 - 12 to 7PM
BuonItalia at Chelsea Market - 75 Ninth Avenue New York, NY 10011
Tasting of typical products from Salento

Saturday June 21, 2008 - 12 to 7PM
BuonItalia at Chelsea Market - 75 Ninth Avenue New York, NY 10011
Tasting of typical products from SalentoWASHINGTON D.C.

Monday June 23, 2008 11AM
Teatro Goldoni Restaurant - 1909 K St NW # 10 Washington, DC 20006 Washington D.C. Meet and greet with representatives of the trade. Tasting of typical products from Salento

Tuesday June 24, 2008 11AM to 4PM
Teatro Goldoni Restaurant - 1909 K St NW # 10 Washington, DC 20006 Washington D.C. Tasting of typical products from Salento

For more information please contact:
* Segreteria organizzativa - Agriplan s.r.l.
Bari 70126 - Via G. Amendola, 166/5
Tel.: 0039.080.5484273 ñ Fax: 0039.080.5911018
Website: http://www.agriplansrl.it / E-mail: info@agriplansrl.it

* Ufficio Unico PIT n. 8 - c/o Comune di Lecce
Lecce 73100 ñ Via Libertini - ex Conservatorio SantíAnna
Tel.: 0039.0832.682554/95 ñ Fax: 0039.0832.305792
Website: http://www.comune.lecce.it / E-mail: ufficiounicopit8@libero.it

Other Related Links:
I Love Italian Wine

I Love Italian Olive Oil