The Italian Consulate has joined forces with Campari to help consolidate Aperol Spritz as the ‘official taste of Italian summer’ down under.
A first of its kind in Australia, the landmark deal was announced at a press conference held yesterday in Sydney by Campari Group’s Managing Director for Australia Jacopo Borsa and the Consul General of Italy Gianluca Rubagotti.
In his speech, Gianluca Rubagotti said: “Today we are proud to celebrate the official taste of Italian summer with Aperol here in Australia. Whilst it is winter right now in Italy, Aperol is a bridge between our two countries’ sunny spirit, bringing us together one aperitivo at a time.”
Opening the conference, Jacopo Borsa described the partnership as “a significant moment as Australia welcomes summer.”
(L-R): Italy’s Consul General Gianluca Rubagotti, Campari Australia MD Jacopo Borsa; and the Italian Cultural Institute in Sydney director Marco Gioacchini
To kickstart the new collaboration, the Italian Consulate has announced a one-day-only promotion this Saturday 8 November offering complementary Aperol Spritzes across 12 Sydney and eight Melbourne venues.
These spritzes will be delivered by a parade of 75 Aperol waiters that will travel from location to location over the course of the day. Once guests spot them, they need only scan the QR code and enjoy their aperitivo moment.
“Aperol is proud to be championing this aperitivo moment by bringing over a century of heritage and Italian flair to every glass,” Jacopo Borsa said.
“Partnering with the Italian Consulate General marks a cultural milestone: aperitivo is no longer just a taste of Italy, it’s becoming part of the Australian summer lifestyle.”
Adding to this, Rubagotti says that he hopes the growing attention on the aperitivo moment will help it expand beyond the drinks for which it is most associated in Australia.
“In view of the 10th week of the Italian cuisine in the world, organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, I’d like to highlight another aspect of the aperitivo, the enjoyment of Italian regional products. From Asiago and Pecorino to Prosciutto di Parma and Focaccia alla Genovese, each region adds its own flavour, but all share the joy of posing to save our life together.
He continues: “This is the spirit we want to export, not just our drink or our food, but also the happiness and the Italian way of life. We invite everybody in Australia together to celebrate, to enjoy each moment.”
The participating venues are as follows:
Sydney: Watsons Bay Hotel; Bondi Icebergs; North Bondi Fish; Barangaroo House; Woodcut; Icebergs Harbour Bar; a’Mare; Opera Bar; Manly Pavilion; Felons; New Brighton Hotel; Cibaria Manly
Melbourne: Il Mercato Centrale; Brunetti Oro; Republica; Stokehouse;Arbory Afloat; Riverland; Boat Builders Yard; Left bank
Dining and Cooking