It allows you to become a dreamer ... It gives wings to the imagination and the universal "patent" to travel to any desired place and destination! No barriers! Fearless! With mature doses of enthusiasm and a little magic inside that only a few sips can give! Summer lovers are well aware of this feeling! But, you are not just a simple taster, but also a real investor, who has "conceived" a success story, not only because it is your name after this venture, but because you have put passion as the absolute basis of everything, the result is always the desired one. This is not a cliché expression! This is a fact!
His passion for wines is one of those typical love stories, which become more solid over time! Almost everyone knows Bruno Vespa, the personality of Italian television and journalism. With a professional career approaching a decade, Vespa is the label of success in making television in the neighboring country, but also a "heavyweight" in the studio of "Porta a Porta", a show he has been running for years. all in Rai.
In the "new normalcy" we are all living in, the whole world due to the global Covid-19 pandemic, the Vespa format was suspended for only three days due to a Rai problem and only that! His quarantine, as the well-known journalist himself states in this exclusive interview for Class magazine, has been different from ours. Very moderate in restraint and isolation and very close to normal for a prestigious and television figure like him.
We wanted this time to go beyond the framework that everyone knows VESPA! Not as a moderator, nor as a journalist, nor as a book author, nor as a man who has the formula of discretion on his skin because, as he himself says: a man who is on television all the time, doses of consumption in other public appearances should be he has many moderates not to overdo it ... He beyond all definitions has shown that he is also an entrepreneur with intuition and extremely elegant in choice and taste when it comes to the endless world of wines.
"Il bruni dei Vespa", is not the label of an ordinary wine, it is the taste of a wine sometimes intense and sometimes light, characteristic of the Puglia land. Originally from L'Aquila, Rait's famous face has invested in his Futura14 canteen, located in Manduria in the heart of Salento. Typical vineyards are grown here, like Primitivo and Negroamaro, which are the basis of the Rosso Puglia wine, for example. He cultivated the plantations according to the technique of seedlings found in Manduria, 90 meters above sea level, in muddy lands, while the vines aged 15-20 years are there as evidence of a well-thought-out choice by Vespa and most vine growers. area professionals.
By shaking the glass and bringing it close to the nose, you will perceive an intense and dense inflorescence composed not only of grapes, but also fruit peels, with a good alcohol content, balanced aromas leave the place of "meeting" "with cherry blossoms, seedless grapes, prunes, vanilla, etc.
Through this interview we will find out more about the relationship of a "Lover", so Vespa calls his relationship with wine! But also full of other details from the life of the screen icon and Italian journalism.
- Understanding wine, what does it mean for you?
It means to know the soul, as wine is a living creature.
- Giacomo Tachis said, "Summer loves the spirit of the sea." How did this passion come about and why Puglia?
Tachis was a friend of mine and he was the first to make excellent wines at sea. Even my most important Primitivo vineyard in Puglia is also close to the sea. My passion is early, over the last forty years I have followed the history of Italian wine through good times and bad times. When I became a winemaker, I chose Pulian because she has not yet received all the awards she deserves for her excellent wines.
- Your mentor in oenology is a great name of wine culture in Italy, the master of glass, Luigi Veronelli. Three things he taught you about wines?
To love the CRU, that is, the place where exactly a vineyard develops. The importance of barrique (wooden barrels). The possibility that excellent wines could come from outside the DOC (Denominazione di Origine Conrollata / Defined Origin) Antinori was desperate because "Tignanello" did not have a designation of origin. Veronelli said: What do you care? Call it table wine, it's so delicious ...
- Apart from your label, of which it is legal to be proud, what is the best Italian wine?
There is no better. The fingers of the hands are not enough to count the excellencies.
- Red or white for Dr. Vespën?
And why not a rosé? Every summer has its own dish ...
- There has always been a great competition between France and Italy for the summer. How would you describe both?
The great Italian reds sometimes beat the French. The French are unsurpassed in communication. They refuse to participate in blind tastings with our wines. They are afraid of losing and rightly say: We do not sell a wine, we sell France.
- In short, how would you define your relationship with wine?
From lovers.
- At Vespa Vignaioli, do you work as a brand developer or do you like more land and follow the processes in the vineyards?
Each is God in his own craft. I follow everything, from A to Z: sometimes I suggest, but I do not intervene.
- Who produces drinks and enjoys them a lot, right? Wine is made in the vineyard! A romantic slogan that aims to show the importance of working in the vineyard. What would you add to that saying?
Wine is made in the vineyard, but the contribution of winemakers is increasingly important.
- You do not produce wines for business, but for passion. Are sales going well?
Passion has been essential, but I would be mad if I did not look at the accounts, given the investments we have made.
- In which market do you sell the most?
The United States, but in small quantities we are present in about twenty countries.
- The oenologist must be skilled, so as not to destroy what nature has created! What does respect for nature mean when producing wine?
A good vinedresser can save a bad harvest. The bad vinedresser can ruin a good one.
-Which communication tool do you think is ideal for promoting your company?
Communication is now global. In Albania, and beyond, everything I do is essential…
- Do you prefer to spend more time in the vineyard or in the canteen?
In the vineyard to pet the seedlings, in the canteen to taste the fruits.
- Is it harder to produce white or red wine?
Every summer has its own nuances of difficulty.
- Export Vespa wine to 22 countries around the world! Is Albania an interesting market?
Very interesting. It is a rapidly developing country with a strong desire to live.
- Where can you buy your wine in Albania?
In the wine bars and restaurants of Tirana. But, we would like to expand to other areas as well.
-How would you describe summer Italy? From South to North?
The North has a consolidated wine tradition. The South is a constant surprise.
- Good wine, with good friends, they say ... Who are the people with whom you always gladly share a sip of wine? (An unbreakable relationship between you and your wife, 40 years of love story. The most important challenge of a long marriage like yours?)
My wife is fully involved in the project. She oversaw the renovation of our farm "Ferma Li Reni" (www.masserialireni.com) a farm of 1500. Next year, a brilliant white wine will come out that will bear her name, Donna Augusta.
- How do you define yourself as a father? What did the children teach you?
I believe I am a good father overall. Children try to improve me ...
- Who is Bruno Vespa?
A lucky man.
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-You are generally labeled as a discreet person in relation to public appearances and the media. Is your choice dictated by the fact that you are the protagonist on the screen every week with your program or are there other factors that influence?
Those who appear too much on screen should not overdo it with other public appearances.
-What is the current situation in Italy? The "Porta a Porta" program was suspended for a few days due to the global pandemic! Did you miss the screen, the TV studio, the audience, the public relations, what else? How was your quarantine?
"Porta a Porta" was suspended for only three days due to an error by Rai. For the rest of the time we were on air regularly. Therefore, my personal quarantine was partial and much more comfortable than that of most people.
-Who is your biggest critic in terms of your professional career? Have you had a mentor on TV?
I learned service building by Sergio Zavoli, information accuracy by Emilio Rossi and organizational skills by Biagio Agnes.
-Italy is going through a difficult period; tourism, trade, and other sectors of the economy are affected. Will all this directly affect the "pockets" of the Italians? In your opinion, what are the possible scenarios to get out of this crisis?
The government has taken many ancillary measures. But Italy needs big reforms. I hope they do.
-Media and journalism have been hit hard by this pandemic! How do you see the future of Post Corona television?
The whole world of information, starting with television, is required to be increasingly accurate.
-Dr. Vespa, your program "Porta a Porta" is very similar to the program "Opinion" of Blendi Fevziu here in Albania. You were interviewed by Fevzi 11 years ago, on the occasion of your first visit to Albania. What was your impression of that interview, what about Albania, the political leaders you had the opportunity to meet at that time?
Blendi is an excellent professional and a friend. It made a great impression on me. When I come to Albania I meet both the leaders of the majority and those of the opposition. The level of the political class seems good to me and you have a very good caste of young politicians.
-What is your usual day now that you live away from television? Are you writing a new book?
I rest, deal with the wines and the beautiful Li Reni farm we have in Puglia, and I am preparing the book that will be released at the end of October. Comparison of two dictatorships: fascism and Covid ...
-We know that you read a lot, what book do you currently have in your hands?
I have never read a single book. The choice depends on the mood and the time available. Currently, in addition to books on fascism and those on Covid, I am reading Tacito's Annals, Tolstoy's War and Peace, Bernhard's Perturbamento, Richler's Barney Version, and re-reading The Prince of Machiavelli.
-An author you would advise without thinking at all?
Anna Karenina by Tolstoy in the new, excellent translation by Einaudi.
-A battle in Italy the law for Fake News. How important is this step for media democracy?
False news is destructive because taking advantage of the modest basic culture of many people they insinuate very dangerous information.
-Missing on social media ?! What do you think about the world that is becoming more and more digital?
I do not like social media. I believe they are more dangerous than helpful.
In your experience, would there be a principle of journalism to share with the next generation of young journalists?
Always check your sources very carefully before transmitting or writing any news.
