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ENOLOGICA MONTEFALCO: PAIRINGS THAT SUCCEED

We were proud to be part of Montefalco as the official media partner of this event, which drew a large audience of wine enthusiasts. There was plenty happening “around wine”—local restaurateurs participated, there were moments of art and music, and the charming Umbrian town lit up with joy during the threeday celebration (September 20–22), as it so beautifully does on such occasions. We had the pleasure of meeting many friends and curious readers of the magazine, and we sincerely thank everyone who stopped by. But this isn’t about us. Let’s talk about how the event went, thanks to excellent organization and weather that seemed to be cheering us on. More than 2,000 participants attended the event, all guided tastings were fully booked, and 29 wineries showcased the wines of this unique region. These are the key figures from the 44th edition of the event. In addition to tastings and the wine tasting stands, attendees enjoyed workshops, winery experiences, cooking shows, musical performances, and wellness activities, including yoga among the vines and sunset trekking. The event concluded with the nowfamous Sunset Winery Aperitif, offering guests an unforgettable experience blending nature, wine, and conviviality.

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DISCOVER YOUR TASTES SCIENTIFICALLY

Why Do You Like Some Wines More Than Others? Taste, as one of the five senses, is entirely personal. The Texas-based company VinoTastr offers a kit designed to help you understand your preferences, enabling you to consistently choose the wines you enjoy the most. Who Says Wine Preferences Are Just a Matter of Opinion? According to otolaryngologist Henry P. Barham, co-founder of VinoTastr, our taste buds play a critical role in choosing the perfect wine. Individual sensitivity to taste profoundly influences how we perceive flavors. For example, if you dislike cilantro, it’s likely due to how your taste receptors respond to bitterness. Developed over a decade of research, a simple at-home kit is designed to measure individual sensitivity to the four primary tastes: bitter, sweet, salty, and sour. Based on the results, the company creates a personalized taste profile and sends tailored wine recommendations via a periodic newsletter. VinoTastr also fosters a community where wine enthusiasts can share preferences, tips, and discoveries, helping one another explore new and preferred labels.

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WHEN WINE DOES GOOD IN LARGE QUANTITIES

No, let’s be clear right away: “large quantities” doesn’t refer to drinking, but to a significant fundraising effort through the world’s most important charity wine auction. If €1.027 million seems modest to you, then you can always wait for next year to see if Barolo en Primeur—the annual charity auction held at the Castello di Grinzane Cavour—manages to break its own record. On October 25, the Barolo en Primeur auction was held at the Castello di Grinzane Cavour, with live connections to Christie’s offices in New York and 67 Pall Mall in London. The event was supported by the Fondazione CRC Donare ETS and Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Cuneo, in collaboration with the Consorzio di Tutela Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe e Dogliani. Bids, available online via the Auction Collective platform, came from Italy, the United States, England, Canada, and China. All were hammered down by auctioneer Cristiano De Lorenzo, director of Christie’s Italy.

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KIDS IN THE WINERY: EVERYONE’S HAPPY

More and more wineries are adapting to welcome children, offering them a unique experience to learn through play about the fascinating journey of grapes to wine. These activities help foster environmental awareness and lay the foundation for a future of mindful consumption. Meanwhile, families and accompanying adults can focus on tastings and deepening their knowledge of the winery’s labels and products in a relaxed and serene atmosphere. For wineries, this approach strengthens their identity and image, enhancing their reputation, building customer loyalty, and fostering social connections. Direct winery sales are a growing trend. According to the “Wine Suite 2024 Report on Wine Tourism and Direct-to-Consumer Sales,” the percentage of visitors purchasing wine at the winery rose to 76.5% in 2023, compared to 73.8% in 2022. The average receipt value increased by 19%, reaching €140 in 2023 compared to €117.5 in 2022. Let’s explore how wineries in various countries accommodate children, offering a range of international perspectives. In all cases, advance booking is strongly recommended.

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WINE SAFARI: TASTING THE ADVENTURE

We are diving into the topic of wine tourism. Many travel experiences that explore the origins of wine—namely the wineries—are marketed to the public under the concept of a “safari.” This is because the journey, the route, the modes of transport, and the overall concept of the visit carry an adventurous spirit. Naturally, Around Wine couldn’t resist exploring these unique experiences. While wine remains the centerpiece, the journey itself becomes equally significant: the way you travel, the people you meet, the landscapes you encounter, and the anticipation of discovery. The word “safari” often evokes Africa, Hemingway, and the harsh reality of hunting animals. Here, however, your tools will be your camera and video recorder, printed or digital guides to the region and its wines, and the questions you’ll ask your guides. Enjoy this article while imagining yourself packing your bags. We recommend traveling light—because inevitably, you’ll want to bring home trophies of your adventure in the form of exceptional wine labels. And so, your excursion can end with the phrase often seen in the credits of adventure films: “We assure you that no animals were harmed in the making of this film.”

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SPARKLING INDULGENCE

Champagne – the classiest of all sparkling wines – stands for luxury, special moments and festivity. Every champagne is a work of art, the enjoyment of which can be perfected with the right glass. Did you know that the glass has a decisive influence on the flavour and perlage – the fine bubbles of carbon dioxide – of champagne? The shape of the glass influences how the flavours come to the fore and how the bubbles are retained. There are many different shapes of glasses for enjoying champagne:

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THE CLASSIC HOLIDAY TOAST

In Italian, the elongated glass particularly suited for sparkling wines—though we could write a whole chapter on the countless shapes designed to enhance different bubbles—is traditionally referred to as the feminine “la flûte.” However, according to the Accademia della Crusca, the masculine “il flûte” is also acceptable. Rounder shapes, with wider mouths (can we say “coppeggianti”—cup-like—without upsetting the Crusca?), are commonly used for more aromatic sparkling wines, as we know. But the flûte has become an iconic symbol of festive celebrations, and we want to stay within the spirit of the season. Watching the cheerful, orderly stream of bubbles rise from the base of the glass to the surface feels like a preview of the delight awaiting us with the next sip. For centuries, glassmakers around the world have competed to create the perfect glass shapes—from crystal to various types of glass, and, more recently, alternative materials (we’ll cover those in the summer—no prejudices here!). Today, we present three international brands that have designed significant flûte models. While the differences might appear minimal at first glance, each reflects its brand’s unique stylistic concept. Which one is your favorite? Either way, cheers!

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WITH WINGS, FINS, OR PAWS—AS LONG AS IT POPS!

Continuing from Previous Issues: Our Column on Corkscrew Friends from Around the World We continue our series dedicated to our corkscrew friends from around the globe and the many shapes they can take. They’re “friends” because they are essential to the enjoyment of wine—perhaps even more so than glasses, if you think about it, which are the stars of our other recurring column. Here, we present a short but charming roundup of these delightful tools that many enjoy collecting, adding character to spaces, whether at home or elsewhere, all centered around the love of wine.

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5 INCREDIBLY ORIGINAL IDEAS FOR CHRISTMAS GIFTS

Every Christmas, the challenge of finding a gift for someone who already has everything arises again. The key is to discover something original, and fortunately, the world of wine still offers plenty of creative ideas. You don’t need to be an expert to appreciate these gifts—just a wine lover, perhaps with a good sense of humor. That always helps! THE PERFECT POP You’ve got your favorite bottle of bubbly in hand. It’s at the ideal temperature, glasses are waiting eagerly, and the moment is set. A small question arises: do you go for the dramatic pop or the silent finesse? Opinions abound on the elegance of each choice. Our advice? Whatever you choose, make sure the cork doesn’t hit anyone—especially not in the eyes, as you’ll need them to keep reading our magazine.

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THE TOP 10 CHRISTMAS MARKETS WHERE WINE LEADS THE WAY

The search for wine at Christmas markets is truly a pleasure within a pleasure. Enthusiasts, the curious, collectors, travel lovers, and connoisseurs of fine drinks enjoy a double delight. This is because, alongside the wine, the markets offer an array of local specialties to discover, taste, and take home to pair with the most suitable label. The markets we present have been carefully selected from various countries, near and far. Just as the joy of drinking is enhanced in good company, visits to the markets, the cities, and the countries hosting them are more enjoyable when shared with partners, friends, or family. The cold December weather helps create a warm inner atmosphere filled with affection, emotions, and... mulled wine! These markets are perfect for finding gifts, travel mementos, and charming spots for unique photos. We’ve selected 10 Christmas Markets, ideal destinations for short or long holiday getaways. As long as you’re happy and toasting with a great glass in hand.

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