Yes, organizing the 2021 edition of Grenaches du Monde, the international competition dedicated to Grenache, was certainly complicated. But the organizers deserve applause for their ability to react to the pandemic moment we are experiencing, redesigning the event according to a distributed format.
No longer a single location, but several strategic venues. For the 2021 edition these were territories where the production of Grenache-based wines is particularly significant: Cebreros in Spain, Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Perpignan in France, and Ascoli Piceno for Italy.
A wonderful recognition for the Marche region and for those producers of “Bordò”—a name I use even though it is not yet officially permitted, since the biotype has not yet been authorized—who in the previous edition amazed everyone by winning 9 gold medals out of the 12 wines presented.
On more than one occasion I have spoken about the strong connection I feel with this region, both because of my maternal roots and because I spent many of my summer holidays here when I was young. Thinking now of the Marche hosting an international competition gives me enormous pleasure.
Grenache is a grape variety typical of Mediterranean countries and ranks seventh among the most widely planted grape varieties in the world. France, Spain and Italy are the three main producing countries, but Grenache is very popular worldwide: North and South Africa, Australia, North and South America, Croatia, Greece, Lebanon, and many others. Many people may think they do not know it, but if we say Cannonau, Tai Rosso, Bordò, Alicante, Garnacha, Grenache or Gamay del Trasimeno, perhaps someone will start nodding, realizing what we are talking about.
The 2021 edition in the Marche will be an opportunity not only to evaluate the wines in competition, but also to come into contact with a region that is incredibly rich in every sense—from the mountains I know well to the beautiful sea, passing through the many food and wine excellences that this territory can offer.
Accompanying us on this journey will be Tu.Ris.Marche, a cooperative specializing in experiential tourism and cultural activities, active since 2014 in promoting the Marche region, in collaboration with city councilor Francesca Pantaloni. Tu.Ris.Marche has acted as the spokesperson for a proposal born within a group of nine wineries from the Piceno area. The initiative is also supported by the Marche Region, the Municipality of Ascoli Piceno, CNA Ascoli Piceno, with the participation of Linfa – Special Agency of the Marche Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with Bim Tronto and Mete Picene.
A territory waiting to be discovered. Three intense days. A close encounter with a grape variety that is easy to fall in love with.
I’m already packing my bags. Being part of this jury is an honor in itself.
And being able to do it in a territory to which I am tied by so many memories will make it an even more emotional experience.
I’ll close with a public service announcement 🙂
Or rather, with a piece of advice for those participants who have never been to Ascoli Piceno: do not even think of leaving the city without getting your hands on a generous paper cone of olive ascolane. The real ones. The plump, juicy ones that will make you want to come back—and that will make you say, the next time you order olive ascolane somewhere else: “But these are not olive ascolane!”
See you from May 31 to June 2.
To learn more (not about olive ascolane), go to www.grenachesdumonde.com
