Press release

September 2011

XXX Masi Prize Teatro Filarmonico - Verona, 24 September 2011 Masi International Prize Civilt del Vino

JACQUES ORHON The Masi Foundation, now celebrating thirty years of its Prize, awards its coveted recognition this year to Jacques Orhon, the French-Canadian sommelier, journalist and writer and the most authoritative ambassador and connoisseur of Italian wine in the Francophone world
Jacques Orhon is, in many respects, a unique character in the world of wine. He was born in France, where he had his first technical training at the University of Vins di Suze la Rousse and continued on to research objectively the different wine producing areas of the old and new worlds in order to better understand the techno-cultural nature of their various regions. He can lay claim to many successful publications. In particular, his Guide to the Wines of Italy is used as a key reference tool for anyone in the Francophone world wanting to know about wines in our country. The same can be said for his two-volumed publication Wines from the New World, which represents an in-depth study of wines from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and South America. Part of Jacques Orhons uniqueness stems also from the fact that having moved to Canada, he became the greatest ambassador of wine-drinking in a country which is currently one of the biggest importers of quality wines in the world. In fact, Jacques Orhon founded and was the long-time president of the Association of Professional Sommeliers in Canada, through which, he has dedicated himself to the training of a new class of sommeliers in North America. Finally, what makes this person uniquely different, is his eclecticism: he is a broadcast journalist both on radio and on television, he works with the key Canadian magazines in this sector, he is a lecturer and is on the panel for international tastings. He has even made a CD of songs inspired by the world of wine and is the author of thirteen publications which include, outside of those already mentioned, more recently, Amongst the Vines. Tales of and Reflections on Wine. This latest work is a journey of discovery into the very soul of the men and the places which the author explores and offers a humanistic rather than a technical viewpoint which is always full of passion. This passion was recognised last March in Paris when the book was awarded the prize for best book in the world in its category. Honoured for his work in agriculture by the French Government and a real globe trotter of the wine world, we see the character of Jacques Orhon captured perfectly on the cover of his latest book: a gentleman, seen from behind in an elegant suit but wearing a straw hat and pedalling his bicycle through the vines. He is the picture of a refined connoisseur of the culture and technology of wine, yet who has never stopped exploring the vines in search of the spirit of the men and the earth which give life to the wine.

This year, the Masi Foundation awards to Jacques Orhon its International Prize Civilt del Vino, given over the years to people in the field of wine from Professor Emile Peynaud, visionary of the values and style of modern wine to, for example, Baroness Philippine de Rothschild, and Niccol Incisa della Rocchetta, father of Sassicaia.
The Masi Foundation, the Masi Prize for Civilt Veneta and the International Prize Grosso dOro Veneziano
The Masi Foundation has as its founding objective to promote the values of its territory, its heritage, the enormous capability of its great minds and the productivity of the Venetian culture, acknowledging those who interpret the culture with great excellence through their different disciplines. It was founded in 2001 based on the experience of the Masi Prize Civilt Veneta which, awarded for the first time in 1981, now celebrates its Thirtieth anniversary. The origin of the Prize is a cask of Amarone, the prince of Venetian wines, for which Masi is one of the most highly rated producers. Today, the Masi Prize denotes two further accolades recognised world-wide, the International Masi Prize Civilt del Vino and the Grosso dOro Veneziano Prize introduced respectively in 1987 and 2003. At this years event, Jacques Orhon will be honoured alongside others who are highly respected on an international level. The Masi Prize Civilt Veneta will go to Giuseppe Battiston, the young, already established theatre and cinema actor; Arrigo Cipriani, synonymous with Venetian hospitality as owner and inspiration of the wonderful Harrys Bar, Massimo Marchiori, mathematician and computer expert and one of the protagonists of the internet revolution, inventing the algorithm for Google. The International Masi Prize Grosso dOro Veneziano, traditionally reserved for people who have helped to spread a message of solidarity, civilization and peace around the world, is this year awarded to Don Luigi Mazzucato, the founder and long-term director of the medical association CUAMM working in Africa. The prize-giving took place again this year at Veronas Teatro Filarmonico with an interview-debate format presented by journalist Antonello Piroso. Taking part also was the President of the Masi Foundation, Isabella Bossi Fedrigotti, and in his joint role as Vice-President and inspiration of the Foundation and as President of Masi Agricola, will be Sandro Boscaini. The event took place on Saturday 24 September 2011 Press contacts: Masi Agricola Communications: Cristina Valenza valenzac@masi.it tel. 045 6832509 cell. 338 8850758 Press office: Elisa Venturini venturinie@masi.it - tel. 045 6832506 cell. 335 7590837