Category: Gourmand Wine and Drinks Awards

Rioja to host the 2023 World’s Best Vineyards

“The World’s Best Vineyards” list is back in 2023 and will be hosted by Rioja, Spain.  Showcasing the best of wine tourism across the globe, the annual “World’s Best Vineyards” list will be revealed at a special live event in July.

As well as its celebrated wineries, charming towns and quaint villages, Rioja is home to Mediterranean forests full of wildlife with high mountain areas to explore and stunning lunar landscapes to discover. The region offers a vast range of fun and memorable outdoor activities for all, including mountain horseback riding, 4×4 driving routes and hot-air ballooning across and over the rolling hills. Known as the gastronomic heartland of Spain, Rioja offers guests delicious culinary experiences from pincho tours to haute cuisine, fine dining and everything in between.

Situated in the north of Spain on the banks of the River Ebro, Rioja is surrounded by the majestic Sierra de Cantabria and Sierra de la Demanda Mountain ranges resulting in a breath-taking and picturesque landscape. It is most well-known for its wide variety of grapes, rich soils, climates, and stunning wineries that never cease to amaze visitors. The region spans 65,000 hectares and is home to more than 600 wineries from world-famous, award-winning destinations with avant-garde architecture to small family-run historical establishments. Preserved generation after generation, each one has something unique to offer guests making it the perfect destination to celebrate this year’s World’s Best Vineyards.

The World’s Best Vineyards annual list highlights the top vineyards to visit globally and aims to promote wine tourism around the world. Each year the list showcases unique vineyards with unrivalled visitor experiences, from modern architectural wonders, UNESCO-protected ancient cellars, and Michelin-starred restaurants to family-run wineries with intimate tours. The Voting Academy consists of over 500 leading wine experts, sommeliers and travel experts and they submit their nominations based on the different criteria that make the best destination vineyard, including quality of the overall experience, ambiance, cuisine, activities, views, staff, and value for money. The results are then collated and converted into the annual World’s Best Vineyards list.

Fernando Ezquerro, President of Denominacion de  stats: “It is an honour to host the prestigious World’s Best Vineyards 2023 event and a great opportunity to show the world why Rioja is Spain’s finest wine region. Rioja’s history and traditions have led it to establish itself not only as the leading winemaking region in Spain, but also as the country’s go-to destination for wine tourism, which has had a driving effect on the recovery and diversification of tourism in Spain. Our passion for hospitality and wine making makes Rioja such a special place to visit.”

#WorldsBestVineyards #WorldsBestVineyards2023 #wbv #Riojawine #travelling #wine #vineyards #winelovers #winenews #vino #spanishwine #spanishwinelovers #winetourism #SoakUpTheView #BottleList #VinoVisa #WineTraveller #WineTravel #spainsfinest #RiojaEsElOrigen @WorldsBestVineyards @rioja

The Balio Gardens – Erice Sicily

A few days ago we had an amazing lunch with local specialities, accompanied with some lovely Sicilian wines on the grounds of The Balio Gardens, Erice.

Some History and Viewpoints

The Balio Gardens are built in 1872 by Conte Pepoli around the Castle of Venus. The gardens are of English design and style.

While enjoying our incredible lunch at the various stations around the castle, we are welcomed with stunning panoramic views of the Gulf of Trapani, salt pans of Trapani, Egadi Archipelago and the coast of Marsala. Apparently, on a clear day, it is possible to see Capo Bon, North East Tunisia.

#foodiesofinstagram #eats #foodstagram #instafood #foodpic #foodgasm #delicious #foodoftheday #foodpics #Italianfood #foodandwine #foodandwinetasting 

#winesofsicily #sicilianwines #italianwines #siciliaenprimeur2022 #siciliaenprimeur #SicilyWine #WineofSicily #DrinkSicily #sicilianwine #sicilianwines #vinosiciliano  #winelovers #wineexperience #travelling  #winetourism #traveler #wineinfluencer #wineadventures #traveling #italianwine #italianwinelovers #AssoviniSicilia #erice2022

@assovinisicilia @just_sicily @wineinsicily 

50 BEST UNVEILS 50 NEXT, A GLOBAL LIST OF YOUNG PEOPLE SHAPING THE FUTURE OF GASTRONOMY

The organization behind The World’s 50 Best Restaurants and The World’s 50 Best Bars has today unveiled the first edition of 50 Next, a list of young people shaping the future of gastronomy. Designed to inspire, empower and connect the next generation of leaders, 50 Next celebrates people aged 35 and under from across the wider food and drink scene, from producers and educators to tech creators and activists. This year’s virtual announcement will be followed in 2022 with a live event in the region of Biscay, in the Basque Country of Spain, the official Host Destination Partner to 50 Next, once travel restrictions are eased.

A list but not a ranking, 50 Next specifically celebrates people, complementing the annual rankings of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants and Bars. It was formed through robust research and analysis by 50 Next and the internationally renowned Basque Culinary Center, following an overwhelming response to open calls for applications and nominations and a proactive scouting for candidates.

The inaugural list aims to represent the diversity of the global gastronomic scene, featuring people from 34 different countries across six continents. Delving into the wider meaning of gastronomy, 50 Next is divided into seven industry-led categories: Gamechanging Producers; Tech Disruptors; Empowering Educators; Entrepreneurial Creatives; Science Innovators; Hospitality Pioneers (supported by S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy) and Trailblazing Activists. Each category is unranked and comprises a broad spectrum of professions, with those on the list recognized for their overall contribution to the gastronomic ecosystem, as well as their ongoing potential to drive significant positive change.

The class of 2021 includes ground-breaking Australian fish butcher Josh Niland, progressive agriculture advocate Cherrie Atilano from the Philippines, Ghanaian tech innovator Isaac Sesi, Mexican indigenous pioneer Claudia Albertina Ruiz and Jhannel Tomlinson, a Jamaican climate change champion who empowers women through coffee. The youngest on the list is 20-year-old Basque medical student Maitane Alonso Monasterio, who has invented a machine to preserve food.

William Drew, Director of Content for 50 Best, says: “As the world of gastronomy strives to recover from the devastating effects of the pandemic, it is more important than ever for us to support, empower and celebrate those at every level of the food and drink chain. By bringing together this truly diverse list of young people with the support of the Basque Culinary Center, the Biscay region and the wider 50 Best family, we pledge to nurture, uplift and provide a platform for those fighting for a brighter future for gastronomy. 50 Next allows us to connect today’s leaders with the next generation.”

Highlights from the list include:

  • Inaugural 50 Next list features people from 34 countries across six continents, identified as next-generation leaders in food and drink;
  • Seven categories recognize those working across gastronomy in production, tech, education, creative industries, science, hospitality and activism;
  • Unranked list includes 24 women, 19 men and seven groups, with individuals ranging in age from 20 to 35;
  • 700 candidates were considered from a pool of applications, nominations and talent directly scouted by the Basque Culinary Center, 50 Next’s Academic Partner;
  • Live 50 Next event to follow in Bilbao in the region of Biscay, in the Basque Country of Spain, in early 2022.

As the first global list of its kind, 50 Next includes five people based in Africa, six in Asia, one in the Caribbean, 18 in Europe, seven in Latin America, two in the Middle East, three in Australasia and eight in the USA. While there are 29 countries of residence featured, there are 34 countries of origin, owing to the fact that many young innovators have left their home countries to settle in tech, business or educational hubs such as the UK and US.

Full information about the list and selection process can be found on the 50 Next website http://www.theworlds50best.com/50next/

 

@theworlds50best @TheWorlds50Best

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Vinitaly postponed to April 18-21 2021

This week Veronafiere announced Vinitaly 2020 was canceled, made in agreement with representatives of Vinitaly’s partner associations, which are listed below.

Sol&Agrifood and Enolitech shows, which are held in conjunction with Vinitaly, and have also been rescheduled to 18-21 April 2021.

Commenting on the massive economic impact of Covid-19 for the exhibition business in Europe, president of Veronafiere, Maurizio Danese said that the cost would run into billions of euros.

He said, “We must bear in mind that this situation has a massively disruptive impact on the European exhibition industry. To date, more than 200 events have been rescheduled, with an overall loss of almost 6 billion euros and 51,400 jobs at risk, not to mention all businesses related to this industry and the loss of 39 billion euros in exports for SMEs in Europe generated by international trade shows.”

Giovanni Mantovani, CEO of Veronafiere, said that once the health emergency in Italy caused by Covid-19 had subsided he would be embarking on a “renaissance” for the show, which he had thought would be possible in June this year.

He commented, “The health crisis, as everyone can see, has become distinctly worse and what seemed possible out the outset is no longer so now.”

Continuing he said, “In agreement with supply chain organizations, Vinitaly, Sol&Agrifood and Enolitech will, therefore, take place next year.”

He also stated his intention to grow Vinitaly’s international business and create a new event later this year for the show’s partner organizations.

“In addition to implementing special investments in international events such as Vinitaly Chengdu, Vinitaly China Road Show, Wine South America (23-25 September 2020), Vinitaly Russia (26 and 28 October 2020), Vinitaly Hong Kong (5-7 November 2020 ) and Wine To Asia (9-11 November 2020), as well as initiatives organized by the Vinitaly International Academy, we will be at the complete disposition of the sector and promotion system to consider the development of an innovative event next Autumn at the service of sector companies.”

The calendar for the main events organized directly by Veronafiere or third parties affected by changes is given below.

EVENT – ITALYDATE IN SHOW CALENDARNEW DATE
Model Expo Italy – Elettroexpo7–8 March 202021-22 November 2020
SportExpo6–8 March 2020Postponed to a date to be defined
Samoter – Asphaltica – ICCX Southern Europe16-20 May 202021-25 October 2020
LetExpo16-20 May 2020Postponed to a date to be defined
Automotive Dealer Day:19-21 May 202015-17 September 2020
Veronafil22-24 May 202021-23 May 2021
Verona Mineral Show Geo Business22-24 May 202021-23 May 2021
Vinitaly – Sol&Agrifood – Enolitech14-17 June 202018-21 April 2021
Opera Wine13 June 202017 April 2021
Vinitaly and the City12-15 June 202016-19 April 2021
Innovabiomed:15-16 June 2020Postponed to a date to be defined
Art Verona16-18 October 202011-13 December 2020
Oil&NonOil20-22 October 202021-23 October 2020

 

EVENT – INTERNATIONALDATE IN SHOW CALENDARNEW DATE
Vinitaly Chengdu22–25 March 2020Postponed to July 2020
Fieragricola Morocco @Siam14–19 February 2020Canceled
Living Italy @Design Shanghai12–15 March 202026-29 May 2020
Bellavita Expo Warsaw21-23 April 202030 June-2 July 2020
Vinitaly China Road Show15-19 June 2020Postponed
Bellavita Expo Hamburg20-24 June 202012–16 March 2021

Vinitaly partner associations and their representatives include:

  • Ernesto Abbona, President of the Italian Wine Union
  • Riccardo Ricci Curbastro, President of Federdoc
  • Riccardo Cotarella, President of Assoenologi
  • Sandro Boscaini, President of Federvini
  • Luca Rigotti, wine sector coordinator for Alleanza Cooperative
  • Matilde Poggi, President of the Italian Federation of Independent Wine-Growers

Sources:
Veronafiere and Drinks Business

Michelin Guide Acquires Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

Michelin bought a 40% stake in the Wine Advocate back in 2017 and their full commitment to expanding into wine was realized this year. Nicolas Achard, CEO of Wine Advocate and as Managing Director of Michelin Experience Asia, announced last Friday in New York, with respect to full ownership, “We got to know each other for the past two years before we decided to complete the acquisition and we realized that Michelin and the Wine Advocate had the same culture in regards to the importance of their independence [from the restaurants/hotels and wineries they are reviewing].”

Achard further states that both companies also follow a rigorous methodology when it came to giving Michelin stars or Robert Parker Wine Advocate scores.  He goes on to say “Leading RPWA’s passionate teams is not only thrilling, but also an incredible opportunity to combine the strengths of the Michelin Guide and The Wine Advocate.”

The full integration would ensure, “long-term synergies between oenology and gastronomy through the pursuit of experiences based on food and wine pairing, as well as the creation of new digital content and services”.