The wines of the abbeys

There is so much to discover, see, and experience around the wine being tasted. This blend of interests, between wine and its contexts, makes participation in wine events — such as Vini d’Abbazia — rich and valuable experiences. Wine is the magical magnet that attracts and reveals territories to those who, in addition to enjoying wine, also appreciate beauty, history, architecture, culture, and the local products. These authentic elements fully contribute to making these multisensory events truly rewarding. This also means that if you want to attend a wine event with people who aren’t particularly interested, you have plenty of reasons to convince them to join you anyway. Let’s talk about the third edition of “I Vini d’Abbazia,” which took place over the weekend from June 7th to 9th at the Abbey of Fossanova in Priverno, in the province of Latina. According to the press office, the event was a success, attracting 4,000 visitors who, over the three days, filled the tasting stations set up along the four porticoed sides of the square cloister. It was a journey of taste where each producer brought the best from their cellar and entrusted it to their most knowledgeable staff to present and offer to the large public of visitors.

Wine and Art

Uncork the satire in a bottle

“Good wine makes good blood,” as does laughter, according to the wisdom of popular proverbs. So, laughing about wine and with wine is a great remedy for health. This is artistically reminded to us by the original “Spirito di Vino,” an international “wine satire” competition founded in 2000 by the Movimento Turismo del Vino Friuli Venezia Giulia. The competition offers cartoonists the opportunity to interpret the world of wine in a humorous, sharp, and witty way that is characteristic of the biting language of satire. Over the years, the competition has received around 9,000 cartoons from more than 50 countries worldwide. Italian and international artists. Participants can submit their work for free, entering one of two categories: Under (18-35 years old) and Over (36 and up). The illustrations can be created by hand or on a computer, using any technique, and can be in black and white or color. While participation is important, to win you must convince — and make the prestigious judging panel smile. The Movimento Turismo del Vino FVG has appointed a judging panel consisting of great masters of Italian satire, such as Giorgio Forattini, Alfio Krancic, Emilio Giannelli, Valerio Marini, along with other distinguished figures from the world of illustration, graphics, and food and wine.

Let's uncork

Corkscrews in the shape of a man, woman, pirate and…

Opening a bottle is a true pleasure for all of us — a moment of serenity, joy, and sharing. If the corkscrew we use evokes these positive feelings, then every bottle becomes a little party in itself. The international report from “Around Wine” continues to explore the world of these essential accessories, a journey that began in the first issue of the magazine. And it will continue in future issues, offering various themes of selection, always focused on curiosity and information. High-design international accessories, fun gadgets, and charming souvenirs — corkscrews in human form are all connected by a cheerful and winning sense of irony and self-irony. As we always do, we’ve selected three very different options in terms of design, country of production, materials, and price ranges (though we never discuss the latter).

Events

Vino village: a blend of wine, food & tradition

From June 7th to 9th, 2024, the second edition of Vino Village took place in San Teodoro, a Sardinian town known for its stunning beaches that attract tourists from all over the world. This food and wine event is designed to promote local wine, food, and traditions, focusing on discovering the excellence of Sardinian products. Wine was the star of the event, and the classic format was used for participation: the purchase of a tasting kit, which included a glass, a glass holder bag, a wine pass for 12 tastings, and a pen, allowed attendees to sample wines produced by the 11 participating wineries from various parts of Sardinia.

Wine Fashion

4 steps with the bottle

A bottle can also be worn elegantly, with a natural nonchalance, even slung over the shoulder if desired. Especially when the bottle holder is a fashion accessory designed by well-known stylists or emerging fashion designers. Of course, wine shouldn’t be shaken during transport, particularly sparkling wines, but sometimes quality takes a back seat to style, glamour, and the emotion of the moment. Wine is about sharing, and if someone brings a bottle somewhere, they likely have their reasons. Romantic reasons? Friendly camaraderie? Business? In the meantime, let’s explore these international fashion creations. We’re not talking about professional cases — the rectangular, padded ones with security locks designed for transporting precious labels (we’ll cover those in an upcoming issue). Instead, as always, we’ve selected three items of different styles to suit various tastes, in line with the mood of “Around Wine.” Famous personalities, well-known brands, and intriguing emerging entities. We take a leap into history, glance at the other side of the world, and aim to spark curiosity and the desire to learn more. High fashion and luxury accessories, through the most refined design, express the sensitivity of designers with creations and solutions that represent artistic visions of reality, often paving the way for subsequent style innovations.

Architecture

The wine rooms of superyachts

Sailing the oceans on vessels — whether superyachts, mega yachts, or luxury yachts ranging from 40 to 180 meters in length — is a dream for many, but a reality for few. However, if you can do it, it’s even more captivating to do so with all the comforts, including those once represented by the cinema room and the cigar room, which today have evolved into elegant and technologically advanced wine rooms. The yacht’s wine room: an elegant space with the best possible conditions for storing, displaying, and maintaining fine labels at the perfect light and temperature, whether for enjoying them while sailing, in port, or at anchor. Various shipyards, interior design architecture firms, and nautical furnishing manufacturers are dedicated to satisfying this unparalleled pleasure. In these wine rooms, the craftsmanship of unique creations combines with cutting-edge technology to achieve the highest level of excellence.

Joyful glasses

The glasses of the high spheres

As connoisseurs know, every wine has its own glass. But let’s always celebrate the freedom that brings happiness. Every enthusiast can form their own opinions, yet there are certain trends in behavior motivated by the desire to enhance the enjoyment of wine. For bold, structured reds, a round bowl with good capacity and a narrower rim helps bring out the best, especially with a well-considered swirl of the glass. We present three different interpretations of this concept, each from a different producer, country, and designer, reflecting the atmospheres and traditions in which these glasses were conceived and thrive. We start with the Italian brand Zafferano, continue with the Slovakian brand Rona, and conclude in Sweden with Orrefors. These are internationally designed products that enhance the pleasure of good drinking. Interestingly, as we are about to read, the Italian collection has an English name, while the other two collections, Slovak and Swedish, have Italian names.

Wine travels

Five european wine mini-cruises

Sailing in autumn while admiring the scenery. Perhaps even passing by the very vineyards where the wine in your glass was produced, which you’re sipping slowly. Before you lies nature preparing for winter, offering views that are truly picture-perfect, especially in your heart. Between tourism and tasting, and between relaxation and excursions, the experience of a mini-cruise—even if just for a day or a few hours—can become unforgettable with a glass in hand. The offerings are diverse, truly catering to all tastes. We have selected five enchanting European proposals that highlight the combination of the regions traversed and the wines tasted, offering a true delight for the readers of “Around Wine.”

Architecture

The pleasure of having a “UbriAAco” at home

The “UbriAAco” creates a warm atmosphere and emits a pleasant hint of wine, a subtle aroma that fosters conviviality and enhances the enjoyment of being in the space. But don’t worry—we haven’t completely lost our minds from constantly talking about all things related to wine. We’re not referring to someone who has had too much to drink and won’t leave the house, causing trouble for everyone around them. “UbriAAco,” spelled with two “A”s, is a uniquely original heating fixture designed in Northeastern Italy that combines two traditional products of Made in Italy: marble and wine. Maarmo was founded in 2017 and specializes in creating designer heating fixtures. The production facility is currently located in Villotta di Chions (PN), while the research and development division is based in Vittorio Veneto (TV). Maarmo places a strong emphasis on sustainability as a core value of its entire production process. The raw material used for their radiators comes from marble dust waste, without any specific treatments or additional energy consumption. All of their heating fixtures, whether electric or hydronic, can be recycled at the end of their life cycle by removing the heating elements and regrinding the material to re-enter the production cycle. In this sense, Maarmo operates by creating circular material flows capable of regeneration.

Events

A vineyard wedding: happiness and toasts with zero-mile wine

Cheers to the greenery, nature, simplicity, and the peaceful atmosphere away from the chaos of the city and busy roads. Cheers to the hillside views over the valleys, the photos among the neatly lined vines, and the best wine of the estate. Cheers to the relaxed newlyweds and a wedding that begins with the best omens for a country celebration. The engaged couple might be passionate about wine. Additionally, they may want to treat their loved ones to a reception right where the wine is born and carefully nurtured before it travels around the world. So, when these two desires align, the choice is clear. Everyone—fiancés, friends, families, and nosy acquaintances—immediately starts hunting for the perfect “where.” The world’s top wine-producing countries — Italy, France, Spain (in alphabetical order…) — have wineries scattered just about everywhere, so in theory, they could offer a wide range of reception locations.

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