One of the Most Ancient Wine-Growing Areas

In the fourth century BC, during the Greek colonisation, grapes were grown in Marseille. In the northern part of the Rhône Valley, wine-growing developed in the first century AD. These archaeological finds, together with historical research, prove that the Rhône vineyards are some of the oldest in the world. The Romans, sailing up the Rhône, founded the town of Vienne and planted vineyards, which soon became famous for their wines.

Côtes du Rhône vineyards

Côtes du Rhône A.O.C. wines represent 75% of Rhône Valley vineyard. Their vineyards extend from Vienne to Avignon, bordered by the Massif Central, the Alpes Mountains and south by the Mediterranean. Côtes du Rhône A.O.C. is produced in 171 towns, on 6 departments (Ardèche, Drôme, Gard, Loire, Rhône and Vaucluse) stretching across 101.313 acres. They bring together Côtes du Rhône and Côtes du Rhône Villages with and without a specific geographic name And finally, Côtes du Rhône Crus coming from specific terroirs are located at the top of the pyramid. We add the natural sweet wines of Muscat de Beaumes de Venise and Rasteau.

Richness and diversity

In 1937 the Côtes-du-Rhône attained the designation AOC and this quality security established a collective motivation for all the vineyards. The grape varieties, the soils, the climate and the quality of winemaker’s work, give the wines their big diversity of expression.

Côtes du Rhône Villages

Côtes du Rhône Villages A.O.C., situated essentially in the southern part, today consist of 95 towns, but only 21 geographical names are mentioned on the label: Chusclan, Gadagne, Laudun, Massif d’Uchaux, Plan de Dieu, Puyméras, Rousset-les-Vignes, Roaix, Rochegude, Sablet, Saint-Gervais, Saint-Maurice, Saint-Pantaléon-les-vignes, Sainte-Cécile, Séguret, Signargues, Suze-la-Rousse, Vaison-la-Romaine, Valréas et Visan, and Saint-Andéol.

17 Côtes du Rhône Crus

Northern Crus

Situated from Vienne to Valence, the very narrow configuration of the Rhône Valley offers a moderate continental climate, characteristic to these seven fine wines in the north: Condrieu, Cornas, Côte-Rôtie, Croze-Hermitage, Hermitage, Saint Joseph and Saint Péray.

Southern Crus

In the south of Montélimar, the valley opens, and vineyards can spread out on both banks of the Rhône up to the calcareous reliefs rising in the both the East and the West. A lot of microclimates allow a highly varied grape planting and multiple blends for a large variety of ten typical wines: Beaumes de Venise, Cairanne, Gigondas, Lirac, Vacqueyras, Rasteau, Tavel, Vinsobres, Muscat de Beaumes deVenise et Vin Doux Naturel Rasteau.

Grape Varieties

21: That’s the number of grape varieties used to make Côtes du Rhône wines. In the north, Syrah grapes form red wines while Viognier grapes shape the whites. In the south, Grenache is blended with Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan and Cinsault to create elegant reds and rosés. Whites are gracefully produced using Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier grapes.

Mediterranean Climate

Nourished by the cleansing Mistral wind, the vineyard enjoys an exceptional climate with four distinct seasons: two dry seasons, and two rainy seasons. Summer is hot and dry, owing to climbing subtropical anticyclones, interspersed with sometimes violent storms. Winters are mild. Precipitation is frequent and snow is rare.

Wine tourism

Authentic, festive and full of contrasts; there are many different sides to the Côtes du Rhône vineyards. Wine estates, museums, undulating footpaths, award-winning villages, breath-taking landscapes and unforgettable cultural icons line the region’s 9 wine trails. Excellent tourism potential, driven by a vibrant, future-facing industry are illustrated by the measures we take to ensure a warm welcome for all and to protect the landscape and environment. Just a few hours from Paris, life in the Côtes du Rhône is lived in the slow lane, at a leisurely pace just perfect for discovering the secret nooks and crannies of this major tourist region. There are 336 “Terroirs d’accueil” cellars, among which 37 have been awarded a Wine Tourism Distinction.

“A major event in the world of wine In 2019, the Best Sommelier in the World competition will be blowing out its 50 candles in the magnificent Flemish city of Antwerp from the 11th to the 15th of March. This is a unique opportunity for Côtes du Rhône wines to support a profession which greatly contributes to their reputation! Belgium, much more than just a neighbour to the Rhône Valley Vineyards A great love affair exists between Côtes du Rhône wines and the Belgium people. Walloons and Flemish alike are enthusiastic drinkers of Côtes du Rhone wines and visitors to the region’s vineyards. They are very familiar with the different Villages and Crus and they keep asking for more! All the more reason, if needed, to take part in this prestigious celebration. To summarize, we have great admiration for sommeliers who do a fantastic job of translating our passion for our wines to the public- what better reason to take part in this prestigious celebration! “

Austria’s wines are highly prized both by wine experts and wine lovers across the world. Artisanal products crafted by winemakers with a special link to their land, they consistently demonstrate their potential at blind tastings, based around seven common factors:

1. The Climate: Austria's special geographic setting is the most important factor for the exceptional quality of its wines. Although on the same latitude as Burgundy, Austria is located much more centrally within Europe, in the transitional zone between the mild and damp Atlantic climate and the continental Pannonian one with its wider variations in temperature. Warm summer and autumn days with northerly, cool nights are key to the development of fresh, aromatic wines with good body and fine character. There is simply no other place on earth where fresh wines are so compact and dense, where opulent wines taste so nimble.

2. The land: beautiful landscapes, demanding soils: Austria is a globally-renowned tourism destination, with many holidaymakers viewing Austria as the most hospitable country in Europe. Especially attractive are its picturesque winegrowing regions, which cover over 46,515 hectares: the Wachau and the classic regions in Niederösterreich (Lower Austria) on either side of the Danube; Steiermark (Styria) and its spectacular ranges of hills; Burgenland with the natural paradise which is the Neusiedler See (lake Neusiedl); and Wien (Vienna) - the world's only major wine-growing capital.

The character of the wines is just as individual as the character of the regions they hail from. In addition to the climate, the soils are a key factor in this individuality: crystalline stone terraces or huge loess layers in Niederösterreich, calcareous soils in Nordburgenland and Südsteiermark or volcanic soils in Kamptal and Vulkanland Steiermark. So, despite being a small wine producing nation, Austria offers a wide range of different, interesting wines which nevertheless all share an amazing balance between ripeness and freshness.

3. The grapes: domestic as well as international: International varieties such as Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Gelber Muskateller (Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains), Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc), Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet all ripen in different regions across Austria, producing great wines in their own right, with finesse and regional typicity.

Over recent years the great potential of old, Austrian grape varieties has become ever more apparent, and Grüner Veltliner is pre-eminent amongst these. It has long since established itself as one of the great white wines of the world and as a result it is being planted more and more frequently in other parts of the world.

International wine experts are also discovering exciting rare varieties such as Zierfandler, Rotgipfler, Roter Veltliner, Neuburger and Wiener Gemischter Satz, as well as Austria's typical red wines made from Zweigelt, Blaufränkisch and Sankt Laurent. Austria also has truly terroir-driven jewels including rosé-coloured Schilcher from Steiermark, made from the Blauer Wildbacher grape variety, as well as the noble sweet Prädikatsweine from the Neusiedler See, especially those made from Welschriesling.

4. The culture: great tradition meets wild rookies: For over two millennia, wine has been a part of Austrian culture. Roman cellars, mediaeval villages, baroque monasteries and castles are all part of the typical landscape of the winegrowing regions. Today, Austria is an exciting, modern wine country with an internationally recognized outstanding depth of quality. Austria’s experimental “natural” wine scene is also especially dynamic. Today's young winemakers are building on traditional knowledge and combining it with the experience they have gained around the world.

5. Nature: performance with awareness: The environment is treated with the greatest respect - environmental protection, water purity, healthy and GMO-free food, biodiversity, energy and materials efficiency are all of the highest priority.

For this reason, it is no surprise that Austria is the world leader in organic farming: 21% of the agricultural areas and more than 13% of all vineyards are already managed according to organic farming guidelines. There is also an official certification scheme for sustainable viticulture in Austria. Taking environmental responsibility very seriously, the Austrian wine industry has developed with special dynamism in recent times. The number of internationally competitive companies is growing steadily, and the curve of ever-increasing export turnover is similar to that of the most successful countries in the New World.

6. Value for money, high quality, fair prices: Family farms dominate the Austrian winemaking scene, which is why the focus is not on mass production. Due to this and the artisan production methods, as well as strict yield restrictions, Austria as a wine-producing country can only sell at entry-level prices in exceptional circumstances (large harvests, sales etc.).

Nonetheless, Austria’s wines are excellent value for money in all price bands. Many of the 10 to 20 Euro wines offered by wineries with sales outside Austria are at quality levels which usually cost significantly more in international markets. Top Austrian wines with international reputations are of especially good value.

7. The taste: ideal match, from schnitzel to sushi: Austrian wines have body and a climate-driven freshness which makes them an excellent match for a wide range of cuisines: from Austria’s wonderful culinary tradition to the Mediterranean and beyond, to Asian foods, and from ethnic food to fusion. It is the ideal match for the widest possible range of foods, from schnitzel to sushi.

“In the international wine business, the profession of sommelier is of unparalleled significance: As a mediator between winemaker, gastronomy and consumer, he/she needs outstanding wine knowledge, a pronounced service orientation and great communication skills. Especially for a small wine-producing country like Austria, excellently trained sommeliers around the globe are key figures in the effort to spread the message of the uniqueness of its wines. For decades, the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI) has done an excellent job in further professionalizing sommeliers internationally and acquainting them to the ever-increasing challenges of the profession. As a longtime partner of ASI, the AWMB is therefore very proud to support the "Best Sommelier of the World 2019" contest in Antwerp as Platinum Sponsor.”

In 1977, Vittorio Moretti decided to devote himself to the world of wine. He started a winery and built a home in the hamlet of Bellavista, after buying small plots of land from 30 different owners. A beautiful spot, as the name – Bella-vista, lovely view – suggests, and one that has also proven to be especially well suited for growing grapes.

Nowadays, the Bellavista brand stands for elegance and refinement. Each bottle tells the story of the winery, of the land where it is situated and of the style that characterizes it.

Respect for tradition and a farsighted attitude: Bellavista's philosophy is a mix of meticulous precision, simplicity, and an obsessive quest for all that is beautiful and good. Attention to detail is fundamental; every action, even the most minute, is treated as crucial.

Nature and man work hand in hand, in the vineyards and in the wine cellar. Grapes are hand-picked, while the use of traditional presses ensures soft grape pressing and an accurate separation of the free-run juice. In spring, when the cuvées are blended, Bellavista can count on an extraordinary selection of one hundred base wines, some of which have been fermented in small oak barrels. This is when the alchemy is created, the decisive moment before the long wait in the bottle, which ends with manual riddling cycles. Excellence is a daily goal, striving to fully express the finesse, balance and elegance that defines the Bellavista style.

“We are very happy and honored to sponsor The Best Sommelier of the World's competition with our Franciacorta Bellavista. This is the most prestigious event of its kind and being able to be part of it, is a great privilege. We wish all competitors good luck.
We are ready to celebrate with the winner and all participants.”

Striving for Perfection

Quality, craftsmanship and a pioneering spirit are the cornerstones of the history of this independent family brewery, with the overriding aim to offer consumers top beers. Brewing method, ingredients, motivated and creative people, partners, the best equipment and techniques - all of these elements contribute towards achieving high quality.

Family quality

This constant attention to quality, which has been passed down over more than four generations, seems to be a hereditary trait. Combined with innovation, entrepreneurship, respect for the planet and the specific contribution of each member of staff, this has yielded a series of fantastic beers. The care bestowed upon this fine collection is a guarantee that present and future generations will carry on this tradition and passion for brewing.

The Duvel Brand

Duvel is the flagship brand of the brewery, the result of decades of brewing with passion and an eye for quality. The unique brewing process, which lasts for 90 days, guarantees a pure style, a delicate effervescence and a distinctive flavor. Duvel is an exceptional speciality beer that has a subtle bitterness, a refined aroma and a pronounced taste of hops.

People & Planet

It is no surprise that the ecosystem of our earth is out of balance today. If everyone lives as we do in the West, then eventually we will need more than one planet. That is why at Duvel, the ecological footprint is limited as much as possible. Amongst other measures, all electricity bought for the brewery is 100% green, from renewable sources.

The family-owned and managed company, Domaine Clarence Dillon, owns three Bordeaux estates, Château Haut-Brion, Château La Mission Haut-Brion and Château Quintus, the “Clarendelle, Inspired by Haut-Brion” family of wines, the two Michelin stars restaurant Le Clarence and the fine wines and spirits shop La Cave du Château.

Domaine Clarence Dillon has the unique privilege of producing five rare and exceptional red and white wines and their second wines, has created the Bordeaux’s first super premium luxury brand wine and has opened its Parisian mansion in order to share the Domaine Clarence Dillon’s universe and lifestyle. Always and deep linked to the gastronomy and the wine, Domaine Clarence Dillon naturally wished to be a partner of the Contest of the Best Sommelier of the Year and to support the talented sommeliers.

From its origins as winegrowers in 1870, Familia Torres has combined tradition and innovation with the aim of making premium wine and brandy, always with the utmost respect for the environment. Rooted in the Penedès near Barcelona for more than three centuries, Familia Torres historically has wineries and vineyards in the Penedès, Conca de Barberà, Priorat, and Costers del Segre regions of Spain.

The protection of the land and environment, the pursuit of excellence and the passion for wine culture has been passed down from generation to generation. Fourth generation family member Miguel A. Torres pioneered the planting of Cabernet Sauvignon in Spain, creating 'Mas la Plana' in 1970, and today’s fifth generation is focused on recovering ancestral Catalan, Spanish and Chilean varieties and continuing to make top quality wines from unique and special vineyards.

Familia Torres is also present in Chile, California and other iconic Spanish regions with singular wines and vineyards. Torres is a member of Primum Familiae Vini (also an IMW Supporter), an association of 11 wine families who are among the most prestigious wine producers of their regions.

“Familia Torres through 5 generations has always supported gastronomy and the sommelier community both going hand in hand. As producers, our recognition among wine lovers is the result of the work of sommeliers, who share their passion so that our wines reflect their real meaning. Sommeliers are the ones taking the terroir, vineyards and the personality of a wine to the table, offering an exciting journey to the complex world of wine. By supporting this competition of excellence, we simply wanted to show our support and recognition to this beautiful profession of the sommelier.”

The pursuit of excellence

Tradition, experience and knowledge spanning centuries have given Graham’s the values that are at the heart of the company’s philosophy. The original Graham family motto “Ne Oublie” (do not forget) perfectly encapsulates the company’s commitment to the Douro Region, born from a deep respect for the past. Founded in 1820, Graham’s produced some of the greatest Ports of the 20th century such as 1927, 1935 and 1945. In 1970, the company was sold by the founding family to the Symingtons, who had themselves been Port producers since 1882, although through their Anglo-Portuguese great-grandmother, they can trace their Port heritage back to 1652.

Graham’s owns some of the finest vineyards in the Douro Valley — one of the oldest demarcated wine regions in the world, and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site — with Quinta dos Malvedos, Quinta do Tua, Quinta da Vila Velha, Quinta do Vale de Malhadas and Quinta das Lages. These five mountain estates total 253 hectares of vineyard and are located in different areas of the Alto Douro and the Douro Superior, each making distinct wines that contribute to Graham’s unique character and style.

In its continued pursuit of excellence, Graham’s combines tradition and innovation, adapting the best of sustainable viticulture to the special requirements of the Douro. Graham’s and the Symington family pioneered the development of modern ‘lagares’ for Port making in the late 1990s as part of a constant drive to improve the quality of the wines. Graham’s mastery of Douro viticulture, wine making, tasting, blending, cooperage and aging is evident in the quality of its wood-matured and Vintage Ports. The Graham’s Ports in this tasting have been specially selected to demonstrate the company’s unique style: the rich, ripe fruit of low-yielding Douro vines, combined with firm tannins and fine acidity that produce Port wines with unique balance, complexity and structure.

From the legendary Château de Beaucastel to the partnership with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie at Miraval, the Perrin family has experienced over a century of success. Elected Man of the Year in 2014 by one of the most influential wine magazines in Europe - Decanter Magazine - the Perrin Family is today the largest owner of vineyards in the best terroirs of the southern Rhône Valley.

The Perrin family is a family of both pioneers and visionaries. They have been pioneers of organic farming since 1953 and biodynamics since 1970 and were the first to plant Rhône varietals in the US and to have believed in the potential of Paso Robles back in 1989. The family also invests in promoting its region including the opening of the Restaurant and Hotel L’Oustalet in the village of Gigondas.

The worldwide success of their renowned brand «La Vieille Ferme» has contributed (since 1970) towards promoting the quality of the wines from the Southern Rhône Valley in more than 80 countries, yet the company remains family owned. The Perrin family currently consists of two generations, nine siblings and cousins, who share the duties and decisions around the philosophy of excellence that Jacques Perrin founded. It is in his honor that the legendary wine «Hommage à Jacques Perrin», was produced - the only French non-Bordeaux wine to be distributed on the Place de Bordeaux alongside the 1st Crus Classés.

Associated with the largest historical family-owned wineries worldwide, the Perrin Family has been a member of the Primum Familiae Vini since 2006.

Vignobles Malartic is managed by the devoted Bonnie family, and produces exceptional wines from a range of properties. Born in Belgium, it is based in Bordeaux, with a heart in Argentina!

The Bonnie family’s wine-making adventures began more than 2 decades ago, when Alfred and Michèle Bonnie, of Belgian origin, fell under the spell of Château Malartic-Lagravière, a Grand Cru Classé de Graves in Léognan, near Bordeaux. Their children Véronique and Jean-Jacques have since joined them, managing Vignobles Malartic with great energy and commitment. In 2005 the family also acquired Château Gazin Rocquencourt (Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux) and Bodega DiamAndes (Mendoza, Argentina).

Vignobles Malartic has been producing exceptional wines for more than 20 years, always striving to express each terroir, with perfect balance, and exquisite complexity. They are naturally best enjoyed when paired with food and are on the wine list of many fine tables all over the word!

“The Bonnie family has thus always maintained very close ties with many sommeliers, regularly receiving them at their properties, and participating in national and international gala dinners organized by Sommelier associations. Having hosted a tasting at DiamAndes for the last international competition, which was organized in Argentina (Mendoza) in 2016, it is only natural that Vignobles Malartic is associated with the 50th anniversary of the Best Sommelier of the World Competition, particularly as it is being held in 2019 in Antwerp, in Belgium, the family’s native land.”

The Antwerp Port Authority plays an important role in the day-to-day operation of the port. The Port Authority manages and maintains the docks, bridges, locks, quay walls and land. It is also responsible for the efficient passage and safety of the shipping traffic within the Antwerp port area. It provides tugs and cranes, carries out dredging work and promotes the port in Belgium and abroad.

To boost the competitiveness of the Port of Antwerp, the Antwerp Port Authority was established as an independent, municipally-owned agency in 1997. Before this it was managed by the Mayor and Aldermen and the local council of the city of Antwerp. In its current legal format, the Port Authority has its own decision-making powers and a human resources policy separate from the city. The Port Authority also has the power to reach joint ventures with other companies or government departments. In this way, it can flexibly meet a rapidly evolving maritime market. The Port Authority's sole shareholder is the city of Antwerp. Port Alderman Marc Van Peel is chairman of the Board of Directors. Jacques Vandermeiren is Chief Executive Officer and President of the Executive Committee as of 1st January 2017, which is responsible for the day-to-day management.

The 1,584 employees of the Antwerp Port Authority ensure that the port can function and work on a sustainable future for the Port of Antwerp, to make sure that it continues playing a leading role as an international seaport. The positions and responsibilities within the Port Authority are very diverse.

Gérard Bertrand is a committed Ambassador of the great wines of the Languedoc Roussillon all over the world, with his 14 domains across emblematic soils. The company Gérard Bertrand, set up 40 years ago by his father Georges, makes iconic wines from owned estates and under the brand Gérard Bertrand: reds, white, rosés as varietals or appellation wines and also sparkling wines from Limoux.

Gerard pursues his mission to reveal the terroirs and the heritage of the South of France and create authentic, expressive wines with unique character using passion and enthusiasm. The pursuit of excellence with respect to biodiversity is a founding value for this exceptional winemaker, whom for nearly 20 years has been devoted to biodynamics: by 2022 all areas (820 hectares) from estates will be cultivated biodynamically.

Another key value of Gérard Bertrand is L’ Art de Vivre: to link the great wines of the estates, gastronomy, lovers of beautiful encounters and wine lovers across the world.

Gérard Bertrand is proud to partner with the A.S.I. to share this incredible experience together in Belgium. "With our continued search of excellence, commitment to biodiversity and devotion to the art of living, we welcome this opportunity to share the unique experience of terroirs of our 14 estates across the South of France with the best sommeliers in the world".

Vinventions was created in 2015 with the vision of becoming the most innovative and trusted global supplier of Complete Wine Closure Solutions in the still and sparkling wine industry.

Sommeliers are important members of the wine industry and their trust is important to the brand. They are the guardians of the wine bottle opening ceremony. With their work, Sommeliers tell the story of the wine, and the closure is a chapter of that story.

The company’s aim is to contribute to the industry’s growth by providing sustainable, high-performance closures that guarantee consistent quality of the wines, resulting in peace of mind both for the winemaker and for the person opening the bottle. Sommeliers are on the front line of this process and Vinventions is excited to build relationships and partnerships with the global Sommelier community.

Vinventions helps winemakers and wineries around the globe protect their wines so that they taste, look, feel and delight as intended. Every 7th bottle of wine worldwide is entrusted to the company and 86% of the top-50 largest wineries around the globe rely on Vinventions’ closures. At the same time, many of the world’s premium 90+ point “icon” wines, from renowned regions like Bourgogne, Piemonte, Ribera del Duero, Mosel, Napa and Mendoza, place their trust in Vinventions.

In 2019, the World’s Best Sommelier Competition will take place in Belgium, in the heart of Europe where one of Vinventions’ plants is located. It’s important for Vinventions to participate in this prestigious rendez-vous with the global Sommelier community, and to share with them a “Taste The Difference” tasting event: a unique experimental tasting during which the team will present the same wine, bottled on the same day, under the same conditions, but sealed with different Nomacorc Green Line closures. The goal of these experiments is not to prove that one closure is better than another, but to underline the importance of the closure itself with different permeabilities and learn more by encouraging people to Taste The Difference.

Farnese Vini was established in 1994 and in a few years has become the leading company in Abruzzo and South Italy in exported volumes, able to draw the attention of the industry’s main experts for the modern entrepreneurial approach, the strict quality standards and the quick commercial penetration.

The company is producing today over 20 million bottles, more than 96% exported to 82 Countries, for a turnover of about 70 million Euros and a record increase in volume in the last two years which keeps growing relentlessly.

18 talented young winemakers, with international experience, do their very best each day to produce high quality wines in six different regions of Southern-Central Italy: Abruzzo, Toscana, Campania, Basilicata, Apulia, Sicily.

Farnese Group has been named “Best Italian Producer” in 2016 and 2017 by one of the most important Italian wine guide, “Annuario dei Migliori Vini Italiani” by Luca Maroni; it was named “Producer of the Year 2017” by the important German wine challenge “Mundus Vini” and by the Belgian wine writer Alain Bloeykens; moreover, the wine Edizione Cinque Autoctoni – the company flagship - was named “best wine of the year” for 9 times; more than 70 gold medals and international awards and accolades have been received in the last years, including the “Wine Spectator TOP100”.

Farnese Group decided to be partner of the ASI Contest for the Best Sommelier of the World for two main reasons : first, because we believe a lot in educational support given by Sommeliers who are real ambassadors of our wines ; secondly, Farnese in its DNA and background is pleased to support prestigious events with international vibes.

Antwerp is the economic driving force of Belgium and the cultural capital of the Dutch-speaking region of Flanders.

• The historic city center counts 931 hospitality enterprises (hotels, restaurants, bars, ...) representing up to 36% of all commercial business.

• The Port of Antwerp is the second largest in Europe, providing over 150,000 jobs.

• Antwerp is the diamond capital of the world; a thriving center where 84% of the rough stones and 50% of the polished diamonds are traded.

• Antwerp is known for its great fashion designers: Dries Van Noten, Walter Van Beirendonck and Raf Simons amongst others.

“When you put your hand in the river Scheldt, you are connected to the entire world”
Popular Antwerp expression -

Flanders is the gateway to Europe. In addition to a productive and highly qualified population, and a research and investment-friendly climate, Flanders possesses an extensive rail and road network as well as several large ports. Flanders boasts a rich history, impressive art collections and winding streets which attract tourists from all over the world.

The Flemish consider good food and drink as high on their list of priorities. Education is a top priority for Flanders and ranks amongst the best in Europe. Flanders possesses an extensive network of schools offering high-quality education.

ZONIN1821 is one of the most important Italian wine producers both at home and worldwide. It distributes and markets still and sparkling wines under the Zonin label, as well as those from the family’s nine Estates.

Inspired by the principle “each region has its own traditions, each region has its own wines”, ZONIN1821 has been selecting outstanding terroirs since the end of the 1960s, and now has around 2,000 hectares under vine which are supervised by a team of 32 oenologists and agronomists. These are divided into nine estates situated in seven of Italy’s finest wine regions but also includes a property in Virginia, USA - Barboursville Vineyards.

Each production area has its own specific terroir and microclimate. It is the skill and the professionalism of the agronomists and oenologists, as well as the choice of dynamic business strategies, that make up the most important values on which the company’s philosophy is based.

Antwerp and diamonds are inseparable. Antwerp has been the capital of the world diamond trade for more than five centuries and is today widely recognized as the leader in the industry, in more ways than one. AWDC’s mission is to ensure Antwerp remains at the forefront of the global diamond industry; to foster awareness of Antwerp’s unparalleled contributions to local and international trade, and to inspire current and future generations to embrace the beauty and value of the product. AWDC want everyone to recognize that diamonds are a fundamental part of Antwerp’s DNA.

AWDC promotes the interests of more than 1,600 individual companies, creating 6,600 direct and 26,000 indirect jobs in Belgium. Antwerp’s diamond imports and exports provide a significant boost to the Belgian economy, making up 15% of all Belgian exports outside the EU and 5% of total exports. More than 70 nationalities work together in Antwerp every day in the most international diamond trade center in the world. On a wider scale, the diamond trade provides employment and ensures a better livelihood for millions of individuals around the world.

Bairrada is one of the most traditional wine regions in Portugal. It is located between the mountainous Dao region on the East and the Atlantic Ocean on the West. The southern border is the ancient university city of Coimbra and in the North the port town of Aveiro. The vineyards are grown on a hilly landscape with unique limestone soils. This, combined with all the small forests (consisting of olive trees, pine trees, cypresses and willow trees in the bottom of the valleys) surrounding the vineyards, creates an enormous diversity of microclimates. The illustrious indigenous grape varieties with the emblematic “Baga” grape as the most important one, provide a wide range of styles of wine. From classic method-made sparklings to stylish whites, age-worthy and delicate reds to fortified wines. Bairrada is absolutely one of the most interesting wine regions in Portugal.

In 2004, when Andrew Weeber took over the Gusbourne Estate he had a clear vision and a single goal: to create English Sparkling Wines that would stand up alongside the very finest offerings from across the globe. The first vines were planted that year and we’ve had our sights set on perfection ever since.

A deep respect for nature, an uncompromising quest for quality and a fastidious approach to detail is at the heart of everything we do – from the way we grow our grapes to the way we age our wines.

Focusing on the classic Champagne grape varieties of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, we believe that the only way to ensure the quality of our grapes is to grow them ourselves. That’s why we plant predominantly Burgundian clones and why all the grapes used in our winemaking are sourced solely from Gusbourne vineyards.

Our winemaking is a slow and measured process. We follow strict, self-imposed parameters to maintain our exacting quality standards, and we ensure the best expression of our wines by keeping intervention to an absolute minimum throughout production.

In 2010, our debut vintages of Gusbourne Brut Reserve 2006 and Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs 2006 were released to critical acclaim and we quickly earned a reputation as a producer of outstanding quality wines, with accolades from some of the industry’s most exacting critics. We are the proud recipients of over 120 medals at local, regional and international level where we are compared to the finest wines from around the world.

Today Gusbourne supplies wines for leading restaurants such as The Fat Duck, Le Manoir Aux Quat'Saisons and The Clove Club and are stocked by prestige retailers including Berry Bros & Rudd, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols and Fortnum & Mason.

Opening their tasting room, The Nest, in 2017 Gusbourne is delighted to welcome visitors to the picturesque Kent countryside for tours and tastings, and to enjoy their award-winning English sparkling wines.

Horeca Vorming supports the educational part of the ‘Best Sommelier of the World 2019’.

In 2019 Antwerp is the host city for the World Sommelier Championship. By supporting this unique event, Horeca Vorming will attempt to highlight the occupation of sommeliers and its professionalism. We will take this opportunity to fire the passion and raise the skills of our sommeliers of the future. We invite all students and teachers of the specialisation years Drankenkennis for an educational master class , lunch and final of the competition. The participants will get the opportunity to network with top sommeliers from all over the world. The master class will be organized by WineWise, the approved programme provider of the internationally acknowledged Wine & Spirit Education Trust qualifications.

Sector organization Horeca Vorming not only wants to empower and inspire today’s professionals, but also those of tomorrow. By offering the educational master class we will be providing added value to the education of these students. In addition, the event will be a unique opportunity to get a taste of this prestigious international championship. And for teachers too, it is a perfect chance to expand their knowledge which they can then pass on to their own students.

Links: Horeca Vorming | WineWise

Located in the village of Saint-Estèphe, Château Phélan Ségur has proudly overlooked the Gironde estuary since the early 19th century. Founded by Irishman Bernard Phelan, the estate was developed by his son, Frank, and renamed Phélan Ségur in the early 20th century.

Consisting of seventy hectares of vines divided into four distinct parts, the great diversity of the terroir accounts for Phélan Ségur’s complexity. The cellar and vat room are integrated into the château in a highly unusual architectural ensemble. The wines are aged with the greatest of care and Phélan Ségur is famous for its elegance, finesse, and balance.

Philippe Van de Vyvere has purchased Chateau Phélan Ségur in early January 2018. He intends to apply his entrepreneurial values in pursuit of aesthetic and technical excellence while respecting environmental balances.

Meiningers Sommelier is a trade magazine for sommeliers and restaurateurs focusing primarily on wine, spirits, beverages and related connoisseur products. As the official publication of the German Sommelier Union (Sommelier-Union Deutschland), it brings together the members of the Union, upmarket bars, restaurants and hotels, and producers and importers of high-quality wines and other beverages.

Meiningers Sommelier places particular emphasis on practical value. It focuses on information about wine-growing areas, recommended wines and producers, expert knowledge and training, practical advice on combining wines and food, beverage and cigar expertise and cellar management.

Launched in September 2009, Terre des Vins is a national French magazine dedicated to wine and the art of living. Produced by the South West Group, it is targeted at both the general public as well as wine professionals. Accessible to all, it guides readers through tasting notes, vineyard tours, wine discoveries and more, with a variety of articles written by wine specialists.

The publication’s website, which is updated daily, complements the magazine, and content is also distributed via social media channels.

Since 2010, Terre des Vins has been organizing wine events around the world, including major tastings of the Palmarès wines throughout France; a "Bordeaux Tasting" at the Palais de la Bourse in Bordeaux; the "Lille Tasting" at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Greater Lille; and the "Vinexperiences", 4 special evenings during the Vinexpo World Fair in Bordeaux in 2015 as well as a Salon des Vins in La Rochelle and Montpellier.

Decanter is Europe's leading wine magazine and is read by experts and enthusiasts alike. It covers an exciting mix of news, interviews with leading wine personalities, regional profiles, alongside recommendations from classic regions such as Bordeaux and Burgundy to the new wine stars of the New World and beyond. Decanter gives you the confidence you need to buy the latest vintages and the knowledge that you are always up-to-date with everything that is happening in the world of fine wine.