Prosecco DOC in Casa Italia at the Paris 2024 Olympics

Casa Italia

For the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, CONI has chosen the Pré Catelan to host Casa Italia, the iconic pavilion where Pierre de Coubertin celebrated the birth of the Modern Olympic Games in 1894. Built in the vast Bois de Boulogne park, it will be the place that will welcome athletes, coaches and guests of Team Italy.

 

Ensemble

The theme chosen for Casa Italia is “Ensemble,” a concept that from Rio 2016 to the present expresses the importance of collaboration, community and sharing. “Ensemble” embodies not only the spirit of sport, but also the commitment to social and environmental sustainability: the project will use recyclable materials and reduce waste, continuing the sustainable approach begun with Tokyo 2020. In addition, Casa Italia becomes a stage for all Made in Italy, welcoming Italian excellence at 360 degrees in one of the most important showcases in the world.

 

Prosecco DOC at Casa Italia

Prosecco DOC will be the Official Supplier of Casa Italia: the bubbles will open the games with the inaugural dinner, where they will be served in the presence of President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella, and then remain next to the medal-winning athletes, who will receive a Magnum of Prosecco DOC to officially celebrate their successes in Casa Italia.

 

The products of the companies – Abbazia di San Gaudenzio, Brilla! Ca’ di Rajo, Cantine Maschio, Casalforte, Italian Wine Brands, La Delizia, La Marca, Mionetto, Perlino, Pitars, Rocca del Forti, Ruggeri, Serena Wines 1881, Val D’Oca, Valdo, Villa Sandi, Viticoltori Ponte, Zardetto – will be available in the Prosecco DOC branded Lounge area, in the Casa Italia Restaurant with a menu designed by Michelin-starred chef Davide Oldani, and in the Bistro set up “Chalet Après Ski” style – a tribute to the upcoming Winter Olympics and Paralympics that Italy will host in just two years. During the Paralympics, an additional space entirely dedicated to the upcoming Winter Games will be set up to tell how the country is preparing for this important event. Casa Italia 2024, in fact, will also give place to the “passing of the baton” to Milan-Cortina 2026, of which the Prosecco DOC Consortium is Official Sparkling Wine.

Prosecco DOC and culture, the perfect combination for summer evenings

The Consortium for the Protection of Prosecco DOC enriches the summer initiatives in the territory of the Denomination with a rich program of winery experiences that combine wine, cinema and literature. Three main formats will transform wineries into places of cultural encounter and enological discovery: Pordenonelegge in Cantina, Cinema in Cantina and Contrappunti in Cantina.

 

Pordenonelegge in Cantina

This year, Pordenonelegge in Cantina features three evenings dedicated to mystery. Thanks to the collaboration between Fondazione Pordenonelegge.it and Consorzio Prosecco DOC, literature lovers will be able to meet mystery authors, accompanied by glasses of Prosecco DOC. The protagonists of these evenings will be three big names: Alessia Gazzola (19/07), Ilaria Tuti (26/07) and Maurizio de Giovanni (02/07), who will present their books in the evocative settings of the wineries, respectively, Piera 1899, San Simone and I Magredi.

 

Cinema in Cantina

Now in its seventh edition, Cinema in Cantina is a cinematic journey through the vineyards of the Prosecco DOC wineries, promoted by the Sole Luna Association – A bridge between cultures and the Prosecco DOC Consortium. Events include a guided tour of the winery, followed by tastings of Prosecco DOC labels, and culminate with the screening of feature films outdoors, surrounded by vineyards. As a preview, on July 15 at 9 p.m., the film “All the Beauty and Pain” by Laura Poitras will be screened at the Sant’Andrea Gardens in Treviso; the format will continue thereafter in Prosecco DOC wineries from Aug. 28 to Sept. 1.

 

Contrappunti in Cantina

Organized by the CartaCarbone Festival together with the Consortium, Contrappunti in Cantina is a project born from the common intent to nourish body and soul with products of excellence, with the aim of creating a unique dialogue between the worlds of wine and literature. Every Friday in September, participants will have the opportunity to visit wineries, taste wines, attend multimedia shows and meet authors in person.

 

These events enrich the tourist offer of the area, promoting the oenological and cultural heritage of the Denomination. Thanks to these initiatives, the Consortium transforms wineries into cultural spaces where bubbles accompany literature, cinema and conviviality, offering moments of encounter and discovery.

Meetings for the protection of Geographical Indications at the EUIPO headquarters.

The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) in Alicante, which deals with trademarks, designs and models of the European Union, has recently organised two meetings, in which the Consortium took part, that will increase the debate on the protection of GIs.

OriGIn and EUIPO, an international collaboration for the protection of GIs

From 10 to 11 June, the EUIPO hosted a bilateral meeting with oriGIn (International Geographical Indications Network Organisation), a body representing the most important Consortia at international level. During this event, there was a discussion on various crucial topics for the Consortia such as the EUIPO guidelines for registering trademarks; the impact of the new European Wine Regulation on GIs; international cooperation projects and information and protection tools for GIs.

Workshop on the protection of Geographical Indications

For years, the Consortium has been part of the OPSON project, an initiative developed by Europol as part of the fight against food counterfeiting. An important workshop was held in Alicante on the 17th and 18th, bringing together public and private sector representatives from the food and wine sector. Participants included the EUIPO, the European Commission and Europol, the Ministries of Agriculture and Economy of various countries, customs officials and law enforcement agencies; along with private sector representatives such as the Consortium of Prosecco DOC, Grana Padano, Comité Champagne and Scotch Whiskey Association.

Targets and New Protection Tools

The workshop provided an opportunity to enhance the synergy between the public and private sectors to take stock of the recent reform of GI regulations and improve supervision and control activities.

In this context, the Consortium held a training seminar aimed at the various authorities that, at an international level, deal with agri-food safety, providing the tools to recognise authentic Prosecco DOC and explaining the most common cases of infringement affecting the Denomination.

Among the various presentations, EUIPO announced the implementation of the Intellectual Property Enforcement Portal (IPEP), which will enable authorities to recognise original products from counterfeit goods and to contact rights holders and take action.

These meetings are a milestone towards better protection and awareness of Geographical Indications. By strengthening cooperation between all the actors involved, it will be possible to increase the valorisation of authentic products such as Prosecco DOC, obtained thanks to the daily work of the supply chains in full compliance with the production specifications.

Prosecco DOC and Granda Padano at Regent’s Park from 12 to 16 June 2024

 

Summer for Prosecco DOC is anything but a holiday! The Consorzio di Tutela has in fact planned several initiatives to celebrate the beloved bubbles around the world, including Prosecco Month in Canada and Japan, Prosecco Week in China, the United States and the United Kingdom, and Prosecco Summer Vibes in Germany, offering various activities ranging from tastings to conferences, from meetings to parties.

Among the proposals at the beginning of summer, Taste of London stands out in particular, the most important stage of the Taste Festivals, an international format of food and wine events involving 19 cities around the world. Right now, from 12 to 16 June 2024, Regent’s Park is hosting this exhibition, an unmissable occasion for lovers of good food and wine, bringing together some of the world’s best chefs and sommeliers.

Once again this year Prosecco DOC, through Next Generation Pro, and Grana Padano DOP are presenting themselves together at the summer event with the aim of offering their visitors a special moment under the banner of the Italian way of life.

The programme

The programme is rich and varied: it includes tastings, shows and moments of entertainment, guaranteeing an enjoyable and engaging experience for all participants.

Neil Phillips – The Wine Tipster, wine expert, presenter and journalist – is the presenter of the Tasting Sessions, during which it is possible to taste the two flagship products of Made in Italy in their various expressions; while Danilo Cortellini – renowned Italian chef, Head Chef of the Italian Embassy in London – proposes a series of show-cooking events delighting the audience with his innovative recipes based on Grana Padano DOP and Prosecco DOC.

Special guests include Angelo Coassin, known as CookingWithBello, and Francesco Mattana of OurCookingJourney.

In addition, the Taste of London programme includes a number of events dedicated to buyers and sommeliers. These meetings offer an in-depth product experience, allowing industry professionals to discover and appreciate the gastronomic excellence present at the festival.

Tasting Prosecco DOC and Prosecco DOC Rosé from the companies:

Borgo delle Rose, Fantinel, Perlino, Ponte 1948, Torresella, Tosti1820, Villa Sandi.

Taste of London 2024 is a not-to-be-missed event, where anyone can immerse themselves in the different culinary cultures of the world: Prosecco DOC and Grana Padano DOP bring visitors to discover the Italian tradition, offering the quality and emotions that characterise the tables of the Bel Paese every day.

Milan Design Week has always been an incredible opportunity to dive into the universe of creativity, combined with a stimulating reflection on fundamental themes such as sustainability, inclusion and innovation.

In this context, the Consortium of Prosecco DOC proposed a truly unique event: a ‘blind’ tasting conducted by the renowned entrepreneur Hoby Wedler in collaboration with Emotitech, which allowed people to discover Prosecco DOC in a totally new way.

Dr Hoby Wedler is an American chemist specialised in the science of sensory perception. With a PhD in Physical Organic Chemistry, he leads innovative product development in the agri-food sector and coordinates multi-sensory immersive experiences such as his Tasting in the Dark format. Blind since birth, he has been widely recognised for his efforts in the field of inclusion, he was named among the Champions of Change by President Barack Obama and included by ‘Forbes’ in the ‘30 under 30’.

Emotitech, a design studio based in California and Italy, designed the multisensory kit that accompanied the tasting. The kit offered six containers, divided into touch and smelling elements, wrapped within an elegant and functional case. The materials, including mulberry silk for the darkening mask and bioresin for the cases, were chosen on the basis of their ability to evoke the characteristics of Prosecco DOC.

Tasting in The Dark is an exciting journey that aims to challenge individuals’ perceptions, leading them to discover the world of tastes and smells without the aid of sight. Dr Wedler demonstrated how the absence of one of the traditionally predominant senses can amplify sensory experiences, making every detail more vivid and intense.

The event showed the power that comes from merging Science, Design and Technology to create an engaging and memorable moment.

 

From 4 to 6 May, an oasis of bubbles and flavours in Tokyo

The Consortium of Prosecco DOC has once again conquered the heart of Japan, transforming the iconic Shibuya Cast into an oasis of fun and elegance, where one can taste the renowned italian bubbles.

Located in one of the most vibrant and busiest areas of Tokyo, Shibuya Cast is a world-famous commercial district, with millions of people passing through it every day, from local residents to tourists and food&wine enthusiasts.

During the famous Golden Week, the Japanese National Holiday period, the SHIBUYA PROSECCO DOC GARDEN offered a unique experience there. Visitors had the opportunity to expand their knowledge of the famous denomination thanks to the presence of experts and Brand Ambassadors of Prosecco DOC, including Hiro Nagashima of Martinotti Prosecco Bar & Café (IG: @hiro.nagashima).

The event was not limited to the pleasure of a toast. In cooperation with the renowned Italian restaurant NIDO, participants were able to enjoy Prosecco DOC with delicious finger food served directly from a kitchen-car. The perfect marriage between Asian culinary art and Veneto-Friuli bubbles is now well established: the freshness, effervescence and fruity notes of the latter combine in perfect balance with the delicate flavours of Japanese cuisine.

This initiative represented an important opportunity for many companies to promote the culture and quality of their products in Japan, strengthening ties between Italian producers and wine lovers in the Japanese country.

The success of the SHIBUYA PROSECCO DOC GARDEN was in particular a tribute to the tradition and excellence of Prosecco DOC, which, by offering an unforgettable experience, left a lasting impression in the heart of Tokyo.

From ANSA, the Italian Ambassador Gianluigi Benedetti’s  comment: ‘The Prosecco DOC Consortium turns 15 this year, and it is an incredible achievement if we think that  aorund 600 million bottles have been produced in 2023. In Japan, it is an Italian product of excellence that is very popular both in its classic format and in cocktails and spritzers. The success of this event, with about 5,000 attendees, is to be considered an excellent result for Prosecco and for the image of our country, especially for Italian food and wine excellence’.

Of the same opinion is the Director of ICE Tokyo, Gianpaolo Bruno – who emphasises that Italian wine is still the leading export product for agri-food products in Japan, although with the difficulties associated with the significant depreciation of the yen. ‘We believe it is a product with strong penetration potential here in Japan. This is demonstrated by current sales, certainly the interest of Japanese consumers in bubbles in general, and in Prosecco in particular.

We will continue with our promotional campaign in favour of the Consortium because we believe the conditions exist to support their internationalisation efforts on this front, which in any case remains the leading market in Asia’.

 

 

New victory for the Prosecco DOC

 

For years the Consortium has taken all the necessary measures to protect the Prosecco DOC in the global context in order to defend our wine from counterfeiting, evocation and attempts to exploit notoriety, ensuring the exclusive protection of the Prosecco DOC in many countries, including those affected by sales of wines called ‘prosecco’ of Australian origin, such as New Zealand (which absorbs about 89% of the export of this wine) Singapore, Japan, Thailand and Malaysia.

In this context, collaboration with the European Commission has also been decisive, which has signed important bilateral agreements with third countries under which Prosecco DOC has been protected, including the Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and Japan.

In November 2023, a number of wine labels with the name ‘prosecco’ of Australian origin were found on sale in Japan, and this was the test-bed for testing the solidity of the protection of our denomination in the Japanese country.

Thanks to the collaboration of the European Commission and the Japanese authorities, the marketing of the Australian wine was blocked and precautionary measures were taken so that the protection would not be violated again in the future.

This result is in addition to similar ones obtained in China and India, countries where the Prosecco DOC is recognised, both of which have been affected in the past by attempts to sell Australian wines called ‘prosecco’.

The commitment of the entire production chain, from wine growers to bottlers, has enabled the Consortium to achieve these results. The quality of the denomination stems from the daily work of everyone, full of passion and determination. This is what has made Prosecco one of the most famous wines in the world.

 

The new short movie “INSPIRED BY THE CLASSIC, MOVED BY THE FUTURE” offers an extraordinary journey through space and time, channeling the immortal beauty of the classic to a dynamic and enthusiastic future.

This piece of art, developed by director Carlo Guttadauro, transforms Villa Contarini in a scenic labyrinth where classic melts with contemporary.

The short movie invites us through ballet and parkour to discover the touching point of inspiration and action, revealing that the classic is the springboard for a futuristic vision. This meeting point creates a sperimenting and innovation space, showing that the inspiration drawn by the classic becomes the engine for a dynamic and futuristic action. In this bond, the short movie explores the creative tension between the inspiring past and the future driving the action, suggesting that the timeless beauty manifests itself in the fusion of these two elements.

The protagonist of this evocative journey is Virna Toppi, prima ballerina of Alla Scala Theatre in Milan. With her gracious moviments and ability, Virna dances in the Mirror Room in Villa Contarini, lighted by metaphysical lights, creating the perfect bond between classic and contemporary. The movie invites us to reflect on the concept of inspiration, that is the epiphany of beauty, when it turns on our enthusiasm.

The choice of Virna Toppi is not casual: her armonious gesture and the gracious moviments of her body embody the beauty of ballet, that becomes a source for inspiration. The Mirror Room becomes the stage where classic appears sinuous and sensual, with curves and creases that release an armonious energy, a variation on the pace that gives back the beauty as grace in movement.

Next to Virna appears the traceur Davide Garzetti. From a plastered door, struck, he observes the dance, introducing a non-classical element that nurtures itself from classic. The short movie explores the border between ballet and parkour, creating an exclusive and mysterious space for the characters. The combination of these two arts adds shades and innovation to the project.

The protagonists travel through iconic locations, like Venice and Giudecca. Here there is a surprising aesthetic transformation: the ballerina transforms into a black swan. Designer Salvatore Vignola adds to this metamorphosis a black tutu covered on paillettes that reflect light, emphasizing the movements of the ballerina. The hair and make up by Cinzia Trifiletti adds a gritty and gothic touch.

The short movie climaxes on an iron bridge in Giudecca, where borders disappear and the protagonists are free from any scheme and can celebrate a secret pact. The fusion between classic and contemporary becomes clear, underlined by the toast with Prosecco DOC on a terrace on the Canal Grande.

Prosecco DOC bubbles, refined symbol, know the power of a dreamful euphoria that gives pure and light moments.

The short movie becomes a visual representation of the Prosecco DOC philosophy: a modern jump that finds its roots in the past and its sperimentations in the future. Without any doubt, it’s through these sperimations that it becomes possible to fully comprehend and appreciate the intrinsecal beauty of Prosecco DOC.

 

Watch here the short movie:

 

 

Inspiration is the instant when beauty suddenly manifests and ignites our enthusiasm. To be inspired means to project our breath upwards, inspiratio onis; it means to transcend ourselves and yearn for the divine breath, to seize it and bring it down to earth.

In its project INSPIRED BY THE CLASSIC, MOVED BY THE FUTURE Prosecco wants to communicate that the classic is what draws inspiration from, but it is the future that guides its action.

Thus, Villa Contarini, a palace of the baroque Veneto, in Piazzola sul Brenta, becomes an ideal scenic labyrinth for director Carlo Guttadauro. Amidst settings and precious details and metaphysical lighting, the photography of Anam Cara, followed with dedication by the attentive eye of Thomas Guttadauro, aims to explore the aesthetic and graceful movement of the dance of Virna Toppi, first ballerina of the Teatro alla Scala in Milan. Her harmonious gestures, the movements of her body undertake a dance in the Hall of Mirrors. The classic that inspires is already there in the way she offers herself, sinuous and sensuous, with her curves and folds and that energy that emanates from Virna, like a harmonic variation of gait, like a weave that holds itself together, folded and refolded as it unfolds, giving us beauty in its operative status as grace in movement, as harmonic suspension and levity.

Behind her, in a door framed in stucco, Davide Garzetti, the traceur, brings another story, not classical, but one nourished by the classical: motionless, observes the dance. The traceur traces linear paths, which draw momentum and muscular tension from the body to perform games.

In the field that unfolds between classical dance and parkour, boundaries vanish and an unprecedented and mysterious space opens up for the relationship. The inebriation of the dream becomes the antechamber of inspiration. The combination of dance and parkour is unprecedented and therefore rich in nuance and novelty.
The journey between the dancer and the athlete touches Venice and the foundations of the Giudecca. Here, as if by magic, an aesthetic transformation takes place: the dancer, who at first glows with a diaphanous light, turns into a black swan.

This directorial operation is entrusted to costume designer Salvatore Vignola, who masterfully constructs a sculptural artefact of rare beauty: a black tutu covered in sequins causes light to refract on the dancer’s body, accompanying her movement. Cinzia Trifiletti is entrusted with the hair make-up, with its gritty, Gothic-inspired character.

On an iron bridge in Giudecca, the two meet in a sort of conciliation, a secret agreement. The boundaries vanish, the places they frequent are flashbacks, moments of memory, now there is the present and it is new: they can finally play with the classic and the contemporary, tracing in them the spark of modernity that is actuality, the place where past future are in tension.

The two finally have the luxury of toasting on a terrace overlooking the Canalgrande, and the location on which the toast scenes are filmed is the Sina Centurion Palace.

Prosecco DOC bubbles know the power of lucid inebriation that makes us dream, giving us moments of pure lightness.

Prosecco DOC is a modern momentum that knows how to find its reasons in the past and its experimentation in the future.

After all, without experimentation we would not know what beauty is.

Prosecco DOC, inspired by the classic, moved by the future