Quest’estate a Londra i più grandi atleti del mondo avranno un luogo dove potersi rilassare e sentire come a casa propria: è la Nike Vip House.

Nike per la seconda volta, dopo Pechino, ha confermato l’eclettico Chef italiano Nicola Batavia e la cucina made in Italy.

Parlando con lui traspare un’emozione fortissima per tutto ciò che riguarda il cibo, il vino  e quello che vi ruota attorno. “Casa Nike è un luogo incantato, in cui si incontrano le medaglie d’oro di ogni disciplina e specialità. Ma è anche il luogo in cui questi grandi personaggi possono rilassarsi e respirare, è un amalgama di culture, colori, lingue, un mondo che suscita forti emozioni,” dichiara lo Chef “Starvi in mezzo è un privilegio, ed uno stimolo per la mia passione: la cucina.”Una cucina intrisa di sapori e profumi italiani che con la sua semplicità ha saputo conquistare questi grandi sportivi.

E’ proprio pensando alle tradizioni e alle tipicità italiane che Nicola Batavia cucinerà per atleti ed ospiti, rendendo ancora una volta il Made in Italy la bandiera simbolo della qualità, della salute e del benessere nello sport ma anche nella vita di tutti i giorni.

I vini di Castello Banfi con Nicola Batavia a Londra

Accanto all’eccellenza della sua cucina non poteva mancare l’eccellenza del Made in Italy del vino, un binomio inseparabile nella tradizione italiana. Da qui la collaborazione con Castello Banfi che, per questa importante occasione, presenterà una selezione delle sue pregiate etichette.

Tra queste spiccano i vini che esprimono al meglio il terroir il cinese e che sono il simbolo di Castello Banfi nel mondo, dal Rosso di Montalcino DOC 2010, al Brunello di Montalcino 2007 al prezioso Florus Moscadello di Montalcino 2010 Vendemmia Tardiva, a questi si affianca uno dei vini icona della produzione Banfi in Piemonte, il Brachetto d’Acqui Rosa Regale.

Castello Banfi, immersa nello straordinario terroir ilcinese, e da sempre votata alla ricerca della qualità, produce vini tutti caratterizzati da un’anima profondamente radicata a questo territorio unico e straordinario. Punto di riferimento per la produzione del Brunello di Montalcino, Castello Banfi nasce nel 1978 su volontà della famiglia Mariani, che decide di sviluppare a Montalcino un polo di eccellenza per la produzione di vini di qualità, legando indissolubilmente Banfi a questo territorio e al suo sviluppo. Situata nel versante sud-ovest del comune di Montalcino, la tenuta occupa 2.830 ettari, di cui circa 800 sono coltivati a vigneto specializzato, mentre il resto della proprietà è occupato da boschi, olivi, e altre coltivazioni.

Scott Hamilton, Reggie Washington, Tom Harrell, Kurt Elling, Nick the Nightfly and many other big names to celebrate jazz and great wine.

The fifteenth edition of Jazz&Wine in Montalcino, one of the longest-running events on the Italian music scene, the result of the collaboration between Castello Banfi, the well-known Montalcino winery, the cultural association Jazz&Image of Rome and the Municipality of Montalcino, will once again feature a programme of the highest level, with Italian and international artists of unquestionable fame.

Jazz & Wine in Montalcino 2012: the programme

The festival will open on Tuesday 17 July, as usual, within the historic walls of Castello Banfi with the quintet of the great sax-tenor Scott Hamilton. From Wednesday 18 July, the festival will move to the splendid 14th-century fortress of Montalcino with Nicola Stilo Sextet, the Roman flutist who, among his many national and international appearances, also counts the prestigious ongoing collaboration he had with Chet Baker in the 1980s. On Thursday 19 July, the festival features Tom Harrell Quintet. Described by Newsweek as one of the purest and most creative living musicians and composers, this year Tom Harrel won Downbeat International's Grammy Award for best solo trumpet.

It will continue on Friday 20 July with a legend of contemporary jazz, Reggie Washington, who will be at Jazz&Wine in one of the few Italian stops on the tour that sees him present his second CD, Freedom. Saturday 21 July will then be the turn of the historic voice of the programme Montecarlo Nights: Nick the Nightfly, for the first time in Montalcino with his quintet to present Nice One. To worthily close this 15th edition of the festival, on Sunday 22 July, the voice of Kurt Elling accompanied by Charlie Hunter's guitar.

For the 15th consecutive year, two such intimate and intense pleasures, jazz music and great quality wine, are celebrating their exciting encounter in the symbolic town of Brunello, Montalcino, with increasing success.

2012 edition: what's new

In the 2012 edition, however, there is also a great novelty: the twinning project involving some of the longest-running Jazz&Wine festivals in Italy. In addition to Jazz&Wine in Montalcino, the following are joining this interesting initiative: Zola Jazz&Wine (Zola Predosa, 25 May-26 June 2012) and Jazz&Wine of Peace (Cormòns, 25-28 October 2012). This is a unique opportunity for comparison with territorial and production realities that differ from each other but share the same passion for great Jazz.

(Montalcino, 22 May 2012) - Montalcino's roads, made legendary in the 1980s by the World Rally Championship, will once again be the protagonists of the Tuscan Rewindthe attractive dirt track race for historic cars, now in its third year.

Castello Banfi official sponsor of Tuscan Rewind 2012

The race, whose protagonists will include some of the greatest rally champions of yesterday and today, will be flanked by a number of initiatives linked to special anniversaries. Among these is the parade reserved for the 25th anniversary celebration of the 'queen' Lancia Delta, in which all Delta owners will be able to parade, as well as some of the champions who have made it legendary in rallies.

Castello Banfi, which has been following Tuscan Rewind since the first edition, this year, in addition to the Trophy - with the estate's great wines as prizes - is offering the winner of the Historic category a weekend stay in the splendid Banfi Castle-Il Borgo.

Castello Banfi was founded in 1978, at the behest of the Mariani family, who decided to develop a centre of excellence in Montalcino for the production of quality wines, indissolubly linking Banfi to this territory and its development.

Located in the south-west of the municipality of MontalcinoThe estate occupies 2,830 hectares, of which about 800 are planted with specialised vineyards, testifying to a unique heritage and experience.

A point of reference for the production of Brunello di Montalcino, Castello Banfi has also always been a producer of one of the most historic and prized Tuscan appellations, that of Chianti Classico DOCG.

And today, with the management of around forty hectares of specialised vineyards in the heart of this marvellous territory, in Castellina in Chianti, it proposes a new Chianti Classico DOCG: Fonte alla Selva.

Chianti Classico DOCG: Fonte alla Selva

Banfi, faithful to its quality values as well as its extraordinary attention to the territory in which it operates, presented the first vintage of Fonte alla Selva 2010 during the last Vinitaly. With its broad, well-balanced structure and excellent persistence, the new label fully reflects the elegance and personality that distinguish the Banfi Chianti family.

The Fonte alla Selva is only available for the traditional channel, and the family will be completed next year with the release of the Riserva.

The award, presented by the British magazine The Drink Business, is the world's highest accolade given to companies that are committed to the environment.

Sustainability and 'green' consciousness are a constantly growing reality in the world and in Chile. This time, it is Viña Emiliana that has been nominated as the 'greenest company of the year' during the 'Green Award 2012' competition, organised by the prestigious British magazine The Drink Business.

This is the most important award category in the wine and spirits industry. The award is presented to the company that has demonstrated - in the best possible way - its commitment to the environment, its employees, and the community, and that has made significant progress in its business practices in order to increase its 'ecological footprint'.

To become 100% organic and a producer of high quality wines - and one of the largest in the world - the Chilean company's team included high-level projects, from energy-saving programmes to Corporate Social Responsibility activities. 

"When we embarked on this project more than ten years ago, we were innovators and visionaries, and today we are realising that being organic and sustainable at 100% from the social to the environmental to the economic perspectives is possible. We are tremendously proud to get this award and it motivates us to continue our work in the same direction,' says José Guilisanti, General Manager of Viña Emiliana.

In addition to this important award, Viña Emiliana also won the 'Sustainability' award, leaving behind companies from Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain, Portugal, and many other countries. This award is given to the winery that has made the greatest efforts to achieve better and more efficient sustainable procedures. 

The Green Awards 2012 ceremony took place on Monday 26 March at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower hotel. Emiliana sales director Christian Rodriguez accepted the award for his company. What began as a dream more than ten years ago is now incorporated into a portfolio of high quality wines that have received major national and international awards: a winery that adapts to the changes needed in the consumer world.

Mundus Wines 2011Important awards for Castello Banfi.

Cristina Mariani-May, proprietaria della rinomata cantina Castello Banfi di Montalcino, si sta preparando con il suo team di enologi per una delle vendemmie di Brunello di Montalcino più interessanti e impegnative degli ultimi anni.

“Le variazioni meteorologiche dei mesi passati ci hanno regalato condizioni climatiche inaspettate” dice Cristina Mariani-May. “La breve, ma intensa, ondata di caldo ha avuto come effetto una riduzione della produzione: adesso è quindi necessario prestare particolari attenzioni e cure sia in vigna che in cantina. Le continue ricerche effettuate ed il nostro perseverare  alla ricerca dell’eccellenza, ci permettono di poter affrontare condizioni avverse, pur mantenendo altissimi standard qualitativi, sia per i nostri Brunelli di Montalcino che per i SuperTuscans”.

Brunello Harvest 2011: For Castello Banfi, selection is the key to success

L’annata 2011 è iniziata tardi, con una primavera fresca e abbondanti piogge. Le temperature al di sotto delle medie stagionali, sono continuate fino a luglio, ma a partire da metà agosto e fino all’inizio di settembre, gli effetti dell’anticiclone sopra il continente africano, hanno portato le temperature ben al di sopra dei 38 gradi centigradi. Le vigne hanno avuto a disposizione sufficienti risorse idriche, evitando lo stress. Tuttavia, in quei vigneti dove le uve sono rimaste più esposte, il sole a picco ha letteralmente ustionato i chicchi.

Queste condizioni sono radicalmente differenti dal grande caldo del 2003, ed anche dal clima tendenzialmente freddo del 2002: quest’annata assomiglia di più alla vendemmia del 2000, che è iniziata in modo analogo con clima generalmente più fresco seguito poi da un momentaneo, ma intenso, innalzamento delle temperature durante agosto.

“Abbiamo finito  la vendemmia dei bianchi la scorsa settimana, con una riduzione improvvisa della resa dal 30% fino al 40%”, ha detto Cristina Mariani-May. “Questa settimana abbiamo iniziato la vendemmia di Merlot e Syrah: la chiave è stata la raccolta a mano delle uve, e questo metodo sarà ancor più vitale nelle prossime settimane, nel momento in cui inizieremo la raccolta del sensibile Sangiovese. Di fronte ad una buona qualità delle uve in genere, dobbiamo selezionare con cura le uve nei vigneti, e poi controllarle nuovamente quando arrivano in cantina”.

Uve raccolte a mano

Sin dalla nascita di Castello Banfi nel 1978, le uve dei vigneti per la produzione dei vini più importanti, sono state sempre raccolte a mano. Nel 2007, tuttavia, è stato aggiunto un doppio triage nella scelta delle uve in cantina: un primo, generale controllo manuale dei grappoli che arrivano in cantina, seguito da una selezione individuale degli acini diraspati, e portata poi a termine con un ulteriore screening ottico, che effettua test di peso e densità. Le uve selezionate sono poi vinificate separatamente nei fermentini individuali Horizon, tini compositi in acciaio inossidabile e rovere francese, sviluppati e brevettati da Castello Banfi con l’obiettivo di ottenere il meglio da entrambi i materiali utilizzati. Castello Banfi, in collaborazione con le università di Pisa e di Milano, ha portato avanti una ricerca  finalizzata ad isolare una selezione di eccellenti cloni di Sangiovese  in grado di produrre un Brunello di Montalcino eccezionale.

“Avremmo preferito avere condizioni atmosferiche favorevoli come nel 2001, 2004, 2007 e 2009”, ha dichiarato Cristina Mariani-May “ma decenni di ricerche ci hanno preparati ad affrontare i capricci della natura, ed il nostro team sa come comportarsi in vendemmie come queste”.

Castello Banfi, cantina della famiglia Mariani, è stata insignita per 12 volte Miglior Cantina Italiana al Vinitaly per aver saputo coniugare, nei trenta anni della sua storia, imprenditorialità, alta qualità, innovazione tecnologica e tradizione, sempre nel massimo rispetto del territorio. Prima cantina ad ottenere le certificazioni di Responsabilità Etica, Sociale ed Ambientale (ISO 14001 e SA 8000) e di Qualità dei Prodotti e dei Servizi e Rispetto del Cliente (ISO 9001:2000). Il castello medievale che domina i vigneti è divenuto un punto chiave dell’ospitalità toscana con wine bar enoteca, il ristorante La Taverna, Il Borgo boutique hotel ed il museo del Vetro.

Once again The Tavern of Castello Banfi is the only winery restaurant in Italy to be awarded the Certificate of Excellence by Wine Spectator magazine.

The prize for the best wine list is awarded to those restaurants that present attractive wine selections that go well with their cuisine, and therefore capture the attention of wine lovers and enthusiasts.

To qualify for the award, the wine list must provide complete and accurate information, including all vintages and appellations, even for wines offered by the glass. In addition to this, great consideration is given to the presentation of the list, while the presence of the producer's name and correct spelling are basic requirements.

Wine Spectator, considered one of the most authoritative international trade magazines, recognises this award of excellence to less than 3,000 restaurants worldwide.

La Taverna awarded by Wine Spectator

The Taverna Banfi offers its services to both visitors passing through and guests of Castello Banfi - Il Borgo, the hotel structure adjacent to the castle that offers 14 luxurious rooms and suites. For information and reservations, please contact: reservation@banfi.it

Tripadvisorthe world's most followed and accredited travel review site, awarded Castello Banfi - il Borgo the prestigious 'Certificate of Excellence 2011'.

Tripadvisor rewards Castello Banfi

Recognition is awarded to accommodation facilities, the restaurants and tourist attractions that received the best and most numerous reviews from travellers on the popular travel portal.

Christine Petersen, President of TripAdvisor for Business, says: "TripAdvisor's Certificate of Excellence offers well-deserved recognition to those businesses around the world that offer exceptional service in tourism. We would like to congratulate all establishments that enable TripAdvisor travellers to have a fantastic experience wherever they are in the world."

Rea, Pieranunzi, Elio, Servillo, Girotto, and many other big names to celebrate jazz and great wine. And in a European 'exclusive', the 'Tribute to Michael Brecker'.

The fourteenth edition of Jazz & Wine in Montalcino, one of the longest-running events on the Italian music scene, the result of the collaboration between Castello Banfi, the well-known Montalcino winery, the cultural association Jazz & Image of Rome and the Municipality of Montalcino, this year presents a programme of absolute prestige, with some real gems to satisfy even the most refined palates.

14th edition Jazz & Wine in Montalcino: the programme

Wednesday 13 July the opening concert, to be held within the evocative walls of Castello Banfi and featuring Emanuele Basentini, one of the most important guitarists on the international jazz scene, with hisPure Jazz Quartet. From 14 July the festival will move, as tradition has it, to the splendid 14th-century fortress of Montalcino with the original meeting of Jazz and World Music by the Salerno Trio & Solis String Quartet, seven elements including violins, violas and cello to accompany the classic rhythmic base of jazz. Friday 15 get ready for an absolutely unmissable project, a European exclusive for Jazz & Wine; the Tribute to Michael Brecker with musicians of the calibre of Joe Calderazzo, Alex Sipiagin, Adam Rogers, Boris Kozlov and Adam Nussbaum.

To follow on Saturday 16 JulyBy popular demand, the Piano Solo of the great Danilo Rea, one of the most elegant and eclectic protagonists of the jazz scene and beyond, returns. To conclude the first week of the festival in an extraordinary way, the 17 July, the Latin sounds of the Girotto-Servillo-Mangalavite trio, an unmissable encounter between jazz and auteur music.

Thursday 21 Julythe quartet led by Lello Panico and Dario Deidda, which will feature the extraordinary participation of harmonica player and vocalist Tollak. To follow, the 22 July, will be another great Italian pianist, Enrico Pieranunzi in duo with Bill Smith's electric clarinet, in Montalcino for one of his very rare Italian performances. Saturday 23 July the best of Bob Dylan's repertoire interpreted by one of jazz's most biting voices, Cinzia Tedesco in the highly anticipated Like Bob Dylan event. The 24 July With the original encounter between the voice of the great and multifaceted Elio accompanied on piano by Roberto Prosseda, one of the most established and talented performers on the international music scene, the extraordinary 2011 edition of the Jazz & Wine festival comes to a close.

For the fourteenth consecutive year, two such intimate and intense pleasures, jazz music and great quality wine, are celebrating their exciting encounter in Montalcino, the symbolic town of Brunello, with increasing success.

For information contact:

Pro-Loco Montalcino - tel. 0577 849331 - Email: info@prolocomontalcino.it

Marketing Banfi - tel. 0577 840 111 - Email: marketing@banfi.it

Concerts: 9.45 p.m. - tickets 12.00/15.00 euro - presale c/o Proloco Montalcino