Writer Laura Pariani “Master” of “Bere il territorio”, “Lifetime Achievement” to Luigi Moio

Italian writer and playwright, Laura Pariani has been named “Master” of “Bere il Territorio”, an award dedicated to leading figures of Italian culture who can serve as role models for younger generations or bear witness to a special connection with the identity of places and the material culture that defines them. The recognition was presented in recent days by Go Wine at Grinzane Cavour Castle, in the heart of the Unesco-listed Langhe region, during the edition No. 25 of the historic National Literary Contest. The contest crowned Lorenzo Franchini as the winner with his story “Bartolo Brusaferri, lo zen e l’arte d’andar per cantine” - “Bartolo Brusaferri, zen and the art of going from winery to winery”, while a special prize was awarded to book “Valtellina, culla della Chiavennasca e del Vino” - “Valtellina, cradle of Chiavennasca and Wine” (Stefanoni Publishing House) by Nello Bongiolatti. Awards were also given to Luigi Moio, university professor, former president of the Oiv-International Organization of Vine and Wine, wine producer at Quintodecimo in Campania, and enologist, in recognition of his research career and his significant literary contribution to wine culture, and to “Equalitas”, FederDoc sustainability standard-setting body for the Italian wine supply chain. Its Sopd Sustainable Wine standard, published in 2017, was the first in the world to incorporate social and labor sustainability indicators as an integral part of its certification model. Today, it counts more than 500 certified wineries, representing over 20% of Italy wine production.
“Bere il Territorio” is a cultural initiative which has accompanied the life of Go Wine since its founding in Alba in 2001. The project aims to promote wine culture and wine tourism in Italy, while communicating a positive image of quality wine and the important social and cultural values it embodies. Beginning with its title, conceived as a form of provocation yet still highly relevant today, “Bere il Territorio” seeks to attribute added value to every quality wine and encourage appreciation, through the glass, not only of the product itself but also of the culture and environment it expresses. The relevance of the theme is further confirmed by a complex period for the wine world, shaped by a range of factors: from the effects of climate change and the issue of tariffs, to attempts to equate wine with spirits, a comparison that Go Wine says is “mistaken”, as well as changing consumer trends and rising prices that risk driving significant segments of the public away from wine.
The competition jury includes linguist Gianluigi Beccaria, novelist Valter Boggione, writer Margherita Oggero, “La Repubblica” journalist Bruno Quaranta, and Massimo Corrado, president of Go Wine. In previous editions, the “Master” award has been presented to Luigi Meneghello, Niccolò Ammaniti, Claudio Magris, Lorenzo Mondo, Gianmaria Testa, Sebastiano Vassalli, Dacia Maraini, Alberto Arbasino, Enzo Bettiza, Franco Loi, Francesco Guccini, Pupi Avati, Raffaele La Capria, Gustavo Zagrebelsky, Maurizio Maggiani, Luciano Canfora, Marcello Fois, Maurizio Molinari, Paolo Pejrone, Tullio Pericoli, Ugo Nespolo, Antonio Ricci, and Melania Mazzucco.