ENOMAQ 2017 opened its doors this morning, and an atmosphere of optimism pervades the event. Visitors from around the world have found, at the Zaragoza Trade Fair, the largest technological offering for the wine, olive oil, and fruit and vegetable industries. Thus begins the most innovative edition of the wine, olive oil, and fruit and vegetable trade shows.

The official opening, led by the Minister of Rural Development and Environment of the Government of Aragon, Joaquín Olona, ​​and the President of the Zaragoza Trade Fair, Manuel Teruel, left a similar impression on those involved. After a procession through the pavilions of the fairgrounds, along with other representatives of Aragonese institutions and companies in the sector, the head of the trade fair institution highlighted the climate of optimism, given the signs of recovery, that prevailed among the companies with whom he spoke.

For his part, Joaquín Olona acknowledged the work carried out by the Zaragoza institution to bring the technological reality of the agri-food industry closer to the public. “The wine, olive oil, and fruit and vegetable sectors are of great importance for economic and rural development,” explained Olona, ​​who emphasized the invaluable contribution of these events to the future of the primary sector and, therefore, to the cohesion of the region.

The speech by the general manager of Feria de Zaragoza, Rogelio Cuairán, echoed this sentiment. He took advantage of the opening of the first technical sessions to highlight the value of this industry. “These are fundamental products for two reasons: they are an economic engine at the Aragonese and national levels, and they also have numerous beneficial properties for health and well-being,” Cuairán pointed out.

Thus, the exhibition area, where significant commercial activity was evident, was complemented by several parallel activities. Among the topics discussed was the need to improve sensory analysis in olive oil production at a technical conference organized by the Spanish Association of Master and Operative Olive Mill Workers. Another key feature, also launched on this first day, was the Winemaker's Corner, where attendees were introduced to the world of wine with two presentations by the University of Zaragoza and Agrovin.

The opening ceremony, which was attended by representatives of the La Mancha Designation of Origin (DO), a guest at ENOMAQ 2017, concluded with the presentation of the second Excellence Award, which went to Bodegas Aragonesas S.A. The Zaragoza-based company, headquartered in Fuendejalón, received the award from Feria de Zaragoza in recognition of its contributions to the wine industry. Viñas del Vero S.A. has also received an honorable mention for sustainability for the use of environmental measures to save energy in the viticulture process.