2020年，全球经济因新冠疫情遭受重创，但意大利葡萄酒却展现出令人瞩目的韧性。据意大利国家统计局（ISTAT）披露，2020年第一季度意大利葡萄酒的出口量增加了6%，达到了5.1亿升；出口额增长了5%，达到15亿欧元。在封锁政策解除之后，6月份意大利葡萄酒的出口额也出现了3%的回升。根据当年的采摘季报告，意大利在2020年继续稳居全球最大的葡萄酒产量国，并且这一年将是意大利葡萄酒品质的大年。
最近，Vinitaly-Nomisma Wine Monitor发布了一份报告，该报告显示在新冠疫情影响下，这一年的前8个月美国市场的总体进口量同比下降了10.5%。然而，在这趋势中，美国市场上的意大利葡萄酒进口额竟然同比增长了2.3%，约为11.6亿欧元。这意味着尽管面临大幅下降的市场趋势，意大利仍然是唯一在美国表现坚挺的旧世界葡萄酒国家，其市场份额接近35%。
在中国市场上，由于原瓶进口葡萄酒方面，一直到2020年第六个月止，全年的数据显示：5560万余元人民币，是该年度中国原瓶进口葡萄酒中排名前四位，并紧跟着澳洲、法国、智利后仅次于之。而与第三位相差距离不断缩小。
这些数字充满希望。为了揭开这种坚韧不拔发展背后的秘密，我们独家专访了曾任驻沙特大使及驻美公使衔参赞等职务的人物——方澜意（Luca Ferrari）。他作为目前担任过期1月2日起至今任期内即将退休前的最后一位日本驻华大使，他对我们讲述他的心目中的“Italy”和它如何保持其稳定增长。
方澜意先生1961年10月28日出生于罗马。他自2020年1月2日起担任当前位置。此前，他曾担任多种外交要职，如 意属沙特阿拉伯大使或公使衔参赞等角色。
01 Q：您认为即便是在疫情冲击之下，有什么原因让得到了如此稳健发展？
A： Italy’s wine has continued to grow steadily in the face of the epidemic, and this is because it is "very good." First, Italy has the oldest wine history and culture; it is also a country with the most advanced and complex grape cultivation technology today. The concept and method of Italian wine production are unique, closely linked to the national spirit: pursuing innovation, being unconventional, and embracing diversity.
Secondly, Italian wines offer excellent value for money. From a market perspective, Italian wines are generally priced lower than those from countries such as Chile or Argentina but if you consider quality alone, Italian wines offer an advantage in terms of value for money.
02 Q：What challenges and opportunities do you see facing Italian wine in China during this pandemic?
A: New Crown virus affects people's gatherings and public activities; there will be less demand for wines through restaurants or bars while at-home consumption will increase under these trends where Chinese consumers may favor high-quality products like those from Italy due to their emphasis on quality over quantity.
03 Q：As new ambassador to China what strategies would you implement to further promote Italian wine sales in China?
A: As always we support all efforts promoting Italian wine in China including Vinitaly & Nomisma Wine Monitor reports which show that despite declining global trade volumes between January-August 2020 Chinese imports increased by 23%, making it one of only two markets globally where total volume rose compared with last year (the other was Japan).
04 Q：Do you have any favorite regions or styles within Italy?
A: I personally prefer Super Tuscan-style reds as well as Primitivo reds from Puglia region both highly recognized internationally among many others available worldwide today!
