Riccardo Cotarella named Chevalier de l’ Ordre du Mérite Agricole. The ceremony in Paris

“My land is prosperous; it has an abundant variety of native vines and a multitude of diverse territories that together constitute a prestigious heritage of values, history, tradition and culture. It is up to us Italian winemakers to carry it forward, not only producing top level quality wines, but also following the example of the French winemakers spreading and promoting it world wide”, said Riccardo Cotarella, one of Italy's greatest winemakers and prominent figures on the world wine scene, head of Assoenologi and president of the Union Internationale des Œnologues. In addition, he has now been named “Chevalier de l'Ordre du Mérite Agricole”, the recognition the French government has conferred to him in the prestigious headquarters of the International Organization of Vine and Wine, in the heart of Paris, founded in 1924 which today represents 46 countries on the 5 Continents, equal to 85% of the world wine production. About the recognition, Cotarella said, “I want to share it with all my Italian colleagues, who for many years through tenacity, great passion and professionalism have contributed not only to raise quality high, but also to the image of Italian wine”.