In the Expo mascot there is no grape: blow for Federdoc

The Mascot of EXPO MILANO 2015 is a Arcimboldo of fruits and vegetables: Ricci Curbastro “We disapprove”

The wine and grape industry has a value of 14 billion euro per year for Italy but in the mascot of Expo Milano 2015 there is no grape. In fact, the mascot, a review of Arcimboldo by Disney, has 11 characters (garlic, watermelon, orange, banana, fig, blue corn, mango, apple, pomegranate, pear and radish). Children are invited to give it a name.

“I think that the absence of grapes is scandalous, it has been forgotten once again that we are the leading wine–producing country in the world, not to mention the production of table grapes that I imagine to be considerable – the President of Federdoc Riccardo Ricci Curbastro says – once again Expo forgets to be a reality that will take place in Italy. Giuseppe Sala, sole Commissioner and Government Delegate for Expo Milano 2015, leaves us stunned for his scarce attention to one of the most compelling success elements of Made in Italy: the Italian vineyard and wine. Therefore, we are inviting the Minister of Agriculture Nunzia De Girolamo to be more attentive to the fundamental issues of the certified products and of Made in Italy in general and to formulate a clear disagreement with the choices made by the leaders of the Expo. This operation, for its cultural implications, could not avoid to involve also the children to whom vine, grapes and wine should be presented as key elements of the culture of our country. The Consortia for Protection and the producers of Italian Designation of Origin wines, then, express all their disapproval”.

Source: Federdoc Notice