Wine and "Made in Italy" in Gianni Gagliardo's new book, "The Charm of an Extraordinary Country."

"The Charm of an Extraordinary Country" , to be released in September, is the fourth book by Gianni Gagliardo , the wine producer from the Langhe, one of the major producers of Barolo, as well as a writer and one of the greatest ambassadors of Italian wine in the world, defined by Luciano Ferraro as “ the winemaker who has written the most books ” in Italy.

Published by Rubbettino , the volume opens with a preface by Gianni Letta on the theme of roots and closes with a reflection by Luca Cordero di Montezemolo on the prospects and future challenges for the country system.

The book is neither an academic essay nor a personal diary, but a collective narrative that spans continents to paint a picture of an Italy beloved and respected abroad. Throughout its pages, Gagliardo collects exemplary stories of Italians abroad, such as Michelin-starred chef Umberto Bombana and the Di Gennaro brothers, pioneers of Italian food in Germany. And of course, it includes a chapter entirely dedicated to wine in the history of Italy , from its earliest days to the present day.

It is a work that invites reflection on the profound meaning of Made in Italy, understood not only as a synonym for quality, but as an expression of a culture that intertwines tradition, innovation, aesthetics, and sustainability.

Gianni Gagliardo has contributed significantly to the internationalization of our wine, especially in Asia . In the book, he recounts his pioneering experience exporting Italian wine to markets such as Korea, Taiwan, and Singapore since the 1980s, where competition was dominated almost exclusively by French, Spanish, and Australian wines.

"Made in Italy is not a slogan, an abstraction, but a splendid reality, a 'successful brand' that has achieved global fame and reputation," emphasized Gianni Letta in his preface to the book. " In these pages, written by an enlightened entrepreneur and tenacious winemaker like Gianni Gagliardo, lies a love for his land and the story of our country. Gianni Gagliardo has become an "apostle" of Made in Italy, a pioneer who for over forty years has traveled to more than fifty countries around the world to promote one of Italy's finest products: wine."

" The charm of an extraordinary country " also offers interesting insights into Made in Italy and the world of wine: Gagliardo explores the link between wine and Italian cultural identity .

Luca Cordero di Montezemolo also reflects on the future of the Bel Paese, writing the afterword to Gagliardo's book. He observes: " Made in Italy is based on two main pillars: a resilient production system and individual excellence. However, there is a weakness that undermines the success of these excellences: the lack of unity and "system-building" among Italians. To advance Made in Italy, entrepreneurs and citizens must actively engage in public life to address the country's dysfunctions and promote the common good."

A work that is at once a journey, a manifesto, and a declaration of love. A book everyone should read to understand what Italy truly represents in the world .