As many as 249 facilities, 123 wineries and 350 wines gathered in a single appointment. This is the formula of the event that yesterday, at Masseria Pietrasole in Bari, saw the presentation of the 2015 guides of the Tirsomedia publishing house: "VinidiPuglia", in its second edition, and "La Puglia è Servita", a historic wine and food handbook now in nineteenth edition, available both on paper and with a new app for all mobile devices.
Producers of wine and oil, restaurateurs, tour operators but also experts in food and wine of the area, fans and curious of good wine and good food took part in an evening in which moments of irony took turns to curiosities and delicacies to taste.
The presenter of the event was the actor Antonio Stornaiolo, who involved those present in a symbolic journey to the discovery of the two guides. Alongside him, the publisher Vittoria Cisonno, who explained novelties and peculiarities of the two publications. Moreover, representatives of restaurateurs and of the AIS Bari, ONAV Puglia and Assoenologi Puglia associations intervened, who cared about the tastings for the "VinidiPuglia" guide.
Once reached the age of majority, "La Puglia è Servita" changed its graphics starting with the cover, where cartoons have given way to icons, symbol of the new digital daily life. In 209 pages divided into ten sections – 19 sea restaurants, 70 restaurants, 21 taverns, 13 "fornelli", 23 wineries, 20 farms, 25 bed & breakfasts, 41 residences, 14 wineries, 3 oil mills organized for wine tourism reception – and the "tipicittà", fanciful directions on where to buy handicrafts and food products of the area, "La Puglia è Servita", available from January even in the English version, for nineteen years has been representing a magnifying glass on regional wine and food, a fork and knife shaped compass indicating the cardinal points of the Made in Puglia taste. A guide that includes venues, from Daunia to Salento, for all tastes and budgets, useful also to the people of Puglia that more and more love to discover their own wine and food gems and breathtaking landscapes just a few steps from home.
192 pages, 123 companies, about 350 wines tasted, and 32 award–winners: these are the numbers of the 2015 edition of "VinidiPuglia". Now in its second edition, many are the innovations for this editorial product. The vinegrowing and winemaking macro–areas of the territory pass from three of last year to five: Daunia, Murgia, Itria Valley and Lower Murgia, Magna Graecia and Salento, thus giving the opportunity to better investigate aspects of soil and climate, the production specifications and the exceptional variety and versatility of the wine, historical and cultural souls that live there together. Great emphasis was also given to the most illustrious wine ambassadors, the three main local grape varieties: Negroamaro, Primitivo and Nero di Troia, with a devoted section in the opening. In addition to the award–winners, the guide gave also a special mention to those labels that have distinguished themselves for the most beneficial value for money.
The crucial moment of the event was the highly anticipated awards ceremony and presentation of certificates to the best facilities and wineries in 2015 which saw up on stage the most prestigious names in the wine, hospitality and gourmet scene of our region.
To show themselves first, the prestigious selection of award–winners of the edition number nineteen of "La Puglia è Servita". The certificates were delivered by Dario Stefàno, Senator of the Republic and Maria Teresa D’Arcangelo, representing the Directorate of Food Resources of the Puglia Region. As every year, the guide has awarded the structures that have obtained the highest number of votes during the twelve months: best Sea Restaurant to "Osteria La Banchina" of Trani; restaurants section award to "Biancofiore" of Bari; for the taverns section, award to "La Bottega dell’Allegria" of Corato (Ba); best "fornello" to "La R’gonett" of Casamassima (Ba); best winery to "Giardini 36" of Cisternino (Br). In the farm section, award to "Masseria Copertini" of Vernole (Le); for B & B, award to "Palazzo D’Auria Secondo" of Lucera (Fg); award for the best "residence" to "Masseria Marzallossa" of Fasano (Br). Finally, the best "emerging chef" was Mario Musci, chef of the kitchen of the Gallo Restaurant of Trani; the best winery was that of the Falsopepe restaurant of Massafra (Ta), and the lifetime achievement award went to Lello Lacerenza, owner of the Antica Cucina 1983 restaurant of Barletta.
Successively, to took the stage, the 32 "award–winners" of the "VinidiPuglia" guide. To deliver the "diplomas": Massimiliano Apollonio, president of Assoenologi of Puglia, Basilicata and Calabria, as well as Chairman of the Tasting Boards; Beppe Schino (owner of the Perbacco restaurant – Bari), of the tasting panel of restaurateurs; Giuseppe Pomo of ONAV Puglia and Michele Montemurro, representing the AIS Bari group. The awards ceremony was accompanied by stories and anecdotes on the experience of cooperation for the making of the guide, revealing some interesting tidbits about the phases of tasting, completely "blind" to ensure maximum impartiality of judgment.
For the second consecutive year the guides do not remain only on paper but travel fast on the Internet in digital format. "La Puglia è Servita" and "VinidiPuglia" will be available from January in the App version to download for free in the Apple and Android stores for Tablet and Smartphone. Finding a restaurant, a farm or a winery to visit in Puglia has never been easier. The excellence of Puglia will be accessible in your hand through interactive functions.
Source: La Puglia è Servita
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10/12/2014
