The wine expert Maurizio Zanella, has been chosen to represent East Lombardy, European Region of Gastronomy 2017 and explain the importance of the Award to promote food and wine tourism, with a special attention on local cuisine and sustainable food production. East Lombardy, a region celebrating the title, European Region of Gastronomy 2017 together with Riga-Gauja and Aarhus-Central Denmark and has officially nominated its ambassador to represent the region across Europe. Maurizio Zanella was born in 1956, studied agriculture and was introduced to the world of wine in the sixties, when his mother acquired a small hillside property called “Ca’ del Bosc”. Zanella is an extensively travelled wine cosmopolitan who has put into practice in his native Franciacorta which he learned in France, particularly Burgundy and Bordeaux. In 1968, he created Ca’ del Bosco, today the leading producer of fine-bubbled Franciacortas. Ca’ del Bosco’s pre-eminence has been driven by Zanella’s passionate enthusiasm. In the early seventies, he embraced his artistic creativity and became one of the leading figures in Italy’s wine renaissance by transforming what was a house in the chestnut woods into one of the country’s most modern wineries. His new role as Ambassador for the East Lombrady, European Region of Gastronomy 2017 will match his passion for quality local food and wine.
The European Region of Gastronomy Platform and Award aim to contribute to better quality of life in European regions, by highlighting distinctive food cultures, educating for better health and sustainability and stimulating culinary innovation.
IGCAT – International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism – gives the award, with the support of European institutions. IGCAT is an international interdisciplinary network of experts aiming to empower and facilitate local communities to realise the potential of their distinct food, culture, arts, sustainable tourism and other local resources.