Morgan Freeman becomes the muse for Laurent-Perrier’s “Grand Siècle”

American actor Morgan Freeman is the official muse of the iconic Grand Siècle cuvée of the House of Champagne Laurent-Perrier.

“We, Laurent-Perrier, are different from our peers, or perceived as such. Our pursuit of excellence, because of our difference, has taken us more time, more effort, great perseverance and a strong belief in our vision to become recognized for what we do. It does take time to become an icon: for us, nobody but Morgan Freeman could better embody that line and become the face of Grand Siècle.”

Stéphane Dalyac, Champagne Laurent-Perrier President and CEO

 Exploring Ligurian Riviera’s Enchanting World of Vineyards and Villages – Filippo Magnani

Italy has many picturesque wine regions, but the rugged dramatic coastline known as Liguria, or the Italian Riviera, is an improbable treasure trove for the traveling wine enthusiast. Curved around the Mediterranean, the small, terraced vineyards of Liguria dot the landscape from the French border along the west coast of Italy down to the famed Cinque Terre.

The region’s geography plays a significant role in shaping the distinctive characteristics of its wines. Located between the Ligurian Sea and the Maritime Alps, it is a land of both rugged landscapes and a harmonious climate. The unique combination of warm coastal breezes and mountain influences creates an ideal environment for viticulture. The cool maritime influence helps retain acidity in the grapes, while the sun-drenched slopes provide the perfect conditions for grape ripening. The steep grades of many slopes create challenging conditions for grape growing. Some vineyards are isolated on terraces that have been carved out of the cliff and are only accessible by boat. Winemaking traditions in this area can be traced back 2500 years to the Etruscans and Greeks.

The indigenous grape varieties in Liguria have adapted to the region’s particular terroir over centuries. High concentrations of limestone give them a distinct minerality. The region produces mostly white wines (75%) and its most prominent white grape is Vermentino, referred to locally as Pigato meaning ‘spots’ that develop on the grapes as they reach maturity. This aromatic variety thrives in Liguria’s coastal areas, producing wines with vibrant acidity, crispness, and a bouquet of citrus fruits and floral notes. The best examples are praised for their refreshing and mineral-driven profiles. Vermentino is often blended with two other white grapes called Bosco and Albarola.  Bosco gives structure and richness to these wines whereas Albarola can express notes of honey, flowers and perfume especially when made in the sweet style under the unique Cinque Terre Sciacchetrà DOC. For those who like rich and charismatic white wines the Cinque Terre.

As for red wines, Rossese and Ciliegolo and Vermentino Nero take the spotlight here. They create subtle and fruity wines that can show notes of herb and spice. Rossese wines are usually light-bodied and elegant, with red fruit flavors, floral nuances and delicate tannins. These wines capture the essence of Liguria’s terroir, reflecting its maritime influence and mountainous landscapes.

When it comes to tasting Ligurian wines, visitors will also be captivated by the region’s extraordinary food. The bright acidity of the region’s white wines complements the local seafood perfectly. Their citrus notes and hints of salinity provide a delightful pairing with dishes like seafood pasta, grilled fish, or even the Ligurian specialty, pesto. For red wine enthusiasts, their signature lightness offers a pleasant balance that doesn’t overwhelm the palate. They pair excellently with Ligurian-style pizza, salted cod dishes, or even a selection of local cheeses.

Of course, a visit to Liguria would not be complete without experiencing “The Five Villages of the Cinque Terre.” This string of ancient seaside towns nestled along the rugged coastline just northwest of La Spezia have earned themselves the coveted status as a UNESCO World Heritage site as a “cultural landscape” of extraordinary value.

Monterosso al Mare is the largest of the five villages, and it is also home to the only expansive beach in the region. The village is divided into two parts: the new town, where modern buildings and amenities can be found, and the charming old town, with its narrow streets and colorful houses. Monterosso is a great place to start your Cinque Terre adventure, with plenty of hiking trails and panoramic views to enjoy.

Vernazza is considered by many to be the most picturesque of the five villages. Its colorful alleyways and charming harbor attract visitors from all over the world. Vernazza is also home to the Doria Castle, which dates back to the 15th century and offers spectacular views of the village and the sea.

Corniglia is the only village in the Cinque Terre that is not directly connected to the sea. Instead, it is perched on top of a rocky promontory, surrounded by terraced vineyards. Due to its unique position and the effort required to reach it (by climbing 377 steps), it is the least visited of the five villages, making it an ideal spot for those seeking a more tranquil experience. On the hiking path from Corniglia to Manarolo you will find one of the best local wineries, Cantina Cappellini. Here you can taste wines in the middle of the terraced vineyards with stunning views overlooking the sea. Luciano Cappellini and his family have been making remarkable examples of Cinque Terre wines for seven generations.

Manarola is a small village that exudes charm and character. Its tall, colorful houses rise up the hillside leading up to the 14th-century church of San Lorenzo. Manarola is also home to the famous Via dell’Amore (Lover’s Lane), a scenic path that connects Manarola to Riomaggiore.

Riomaggiore, the furthest south of the five villages, is a lively town with vibrant houses that cling to the steep hillside. Its bustling harbor is always busy with fishing boats that provide a steady supply of fresh seafood in its cozy restaurants. Riomaggiore is also home to the ancient Church of San Giovanni Battista which offers stunning views of the village and the sea.

Between Riomaggiore, Vernazza and S. Stefano Magra and Castelnuovo Magna, are 6 hectares of special vineyards cultivated by a talented winemaker named Walter de Battè. Leaving behind his life as a sailor he decided to follow in his father’s footsteps and take up viticulture. In 2003 Walter founded the Primaterra label with a group of friends and local experts. His philosophy is to produce wines that express the union between man, grapes and terroir. Both his whites and reds undergo considerable skin maceration to capture the unique qualities of their territory.

If you continue a little further south past La Spezia you will reach the picturesque town of Portovenere, sometimes called the “Sixth Town” of the Cinque Terre which also has UNESCO World Heritage status. Overlooking the Gulf of La Spezia you can take in the same views and archipelago that enchanted the 19th-century writer Lord Byron. The natural beauty here is truly breathtaking. Enjoy the numerous hiking trails along the coast or take a boat out to Palmaria island where you can dine at the legendary Locanda Lorena seafood restaurant. Portovenere itself also has plenty to discover, from the Doria Castle to the numerous boutique shops and restaurants offering the best of Ligurian wine and cuisine.

If you’re looking for memorable places to visit while tasting these delicious wines and local dishes, there are a few places that stand out. In the north of Cinqueterre, Portofino is a traditional fishing village with sophistication and elegance that attracts celebrities and jetsetters, but its beauty and charm make it worth the visit. For a more laid-back ambiance, the village of Santa Margherita Ligure offers just as much charm with some nice beaches that are perfect for a swim after lunch.

The 2023 OIV Awards Winners Announced

The winners of the 2023 OIV Awards were announced last week, in a ceremony in Paris.  Awards were given out by the  OIV President Luigi Moio, the Award Jury President, Azélina Jaboulet-Vercherre, and the Award Jury Scientific Secretary Richard Pfister.

About the OIV Awards

The OIV Award is a distinction set out in the OIV Rules of Procedure, granted each year by an international Jury composed of eminent personalities in the vitivinicultural world, who represent the OIV Member Countries. It is a recognition on the international scale, a reference in the vitivinicultural sector since 1930.

In this year’s edition, the Members of the Jury granted overall 14 Awards, 8 Special Mentions and one Acknowledgment. 76 applications were submitted to the 2023 edition which is a record number!

Books represented a total of 27 countries, with France and Italy leading the majority of applications. The event was attended by numerous representatives of the Diplomatic Corps, together with the publishing houses of the awarded books.

Here is list of the 2023 winners:

La Vigne : Anatomie et physiologie, alimentation et carences, accidents physiologiques et climatiques / Vol.4
AWARD
Switzerland | French
Olivier Viret, Vivian Zufferey, Katia Gindro, Thibaut Verdenal, François Murisier, Carole Parodi

Châteauneuf-du-pape Histoire Géologique & Naissance des Terroirs
AWARD
France | French
Georges Truc

Vitigni, vini rari e antichi
MENTION
Italy | Italian
Ivano Asperti

Improving Sustainable Viticulture and Winemaking Practices
MENTION
Portugal, Spain, Italy, France, Germany, New Zealand, Brazil, Australia, Sweden | English
Miguel Costa, Sofia Catarino, Jose M. Escalona, Piergiorgio Comuzzo

Microbiologia della vite e del vino
AWARD
Italy | Italian
Patrizia Romano, Maurizio Ciani, Luca Cocolin

 La distillazione enologica. Manuale per la produzione di alcol etilico, grappa, brandy e la valorizzazione dei sottoprodotti vitivinicoli
MENTION
Italy | Italian
Giorgio De Vita, Pietro De Vita

Les Grands Arrêts du droit vitivinicole
AWARD
France | French
Théodore Georgopoulos, directeur

Vigne, vin et éducation Du XVIIIe siècle à nos jours
AWARD
France | French
Marie-Anne Châteaureynaud, Céline Piot, Pauli Davilà, Luis M. Naya, Marguerite Figeac-Monthus

The Routledge Handbook of Wine and Culture
AWARD
United Kingdom | English
Steve Charters, Marion Demossier, Jacqueline Dutton, Graham Harding, Jennifer Smith Maguire, Denton Marks, Tim Unwin

Faïence et vin. De la table du prince à la taverne du peuple (1640-1863)
MENTION
France | French
Jean Rosen

Viti Vini Vici
AWARD
Portugal | Portuguese
Thomaz Vieira da Cruz

The Book of Sherry Wines
AWARD
Spain | Spanish/English
César Saldaña

 Klein Constantia – The Home of Vin de Constance
AWARD
South Africa | English
Joanne Gibson, Malu Lambert

The Acknowledgment of the OIV Awards Jury
for the photographic work in Klein Constantia – The Home of Vin de Constance
To: Heiko von Fintel

Italian Wine Unplugged 2.0
AWARD
Italy | English
Attilio Scienza and editors

Histoire des vins de l’AOC Touraine
MENTION
France | French
Nicolas Raduget

Les vignerons du ciel
AWARD
France | French
Marc Paitier

The History of Rioja Wine
AWARD
Spain | English
Ludger Mees

Fazer a paisagem no Alto Douro Vinhateiro, desafios de um território
MENTION
Portugal | Portuguese
Natália Fauvrelle

La industria vitivinícola mexicana en el Siglo XXI_ retos económicos ambientales y sociales
MENTION
Mexico | Spanish
Ariel Vázquez Elorza, Norma Consuelo Borrego Pérez, Adolfo Federico Herrera García, Ever Sánchez Osorio

Petit précis de viticulture Tome 1: Terroirs, implantation et développement de la vigne
MENTION
France | French
Jean-Luc Berger Directeur de collection

Petit précis de viticulture, tome 2 / La production de raisins
MENTION
France | French
Jean-Luc Berger Directeur de collection

Sur la piste du chasselas
AWARD
Switzerland | French, English, German
Claude-Alain Mayor, Alexandre Truffer, Christian Moreillon

Oenologix
AWARD
France |  French
François Bachelot, author
Vincent Burgeon, Illustrator

Town of Cardston, Alberta lifts prohibition law after 121 years

Cardston in Alberta, one of Canada’s few remaining dry towns, has recently voted to remove laws forbidding the sale of alcohol.

It was announced that last week the town council voted in favour of allowing “limited liquor sales.” The historic decision resulted in voting 5-2 in favour of a bylaw allowing restaurants and recreation facilities to apply for a liquor license.

The Mormon-founded town has maintained its Prohibition laws long after the rest of the province axed them in 1923, with previous attempts to have the ban lifted, in 1957 and 2014.

“Do I have fears? I do. But I trust the people,” said Cardston mayor Maggie Kronen. “Changes can be good, changes can be bad — we shall see.”

According to the 2021 census, 62% of Cardston’s residents are Mormons, belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which forbids the consumption of alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine.

It will still be some months before the first alcoholic drink is served at a Cardston restaurant as applications for liquor licenses will take some time to process.

50% of UK Millennials Perceive Drinking and Dining as Essential Spending

Design My Night has just released the results of its city survey, with this year’s focus being on affordability.

The results show that a large proportion (83%) of participants have changed their spending habits due to the cost-of-living crisis.

However, 50% of millennials who completed the survey view drinking and dining as essential spending. The survey also shows 46% of respondents would happily spend £60 on a meal.

When asked what event people would most likely splash out on, birthdays came up as the clear winner, with 85% stating they would happily spend more for this occasion.

Katie Kirwan, head of brand and B2C at Design My Night, states: “The going may be tough right now, but going out remains important to our audience across all price points. While we’ve seen that a demand for affordability is propping up the industry, quality of spending is equally as important, and people aren’t willing to sacrifice their money for the mediocre. Hospitality’s run of it post-covid has been difficult, but our consumer survey has shown that shared experiences are still there to be catered to, and that with over 50% of millennials seeing drinking and dining as a necessity, a cost of living crisis isn’t going to hold the industry back.”