Laureates will be seven professionals from the world of wine on the international scene and another seven from the national scene

25.04.2009 | 

The fifth edition of A Life Dedicated to Wine Awards at FENAVIN 2009, which is a recognition institutionalized by the organization with the objective of paying tribute to the trajectory of those persons that have consecrated their life to wine, will be hosted on the upcoming May 5th at 8.30 PM at the Ciudad Real Music Conservatory Marcos Redondo, within the context of the National Trade Fair on Wine, which will take place from May 5th to the 7th.

At this fifth edition FENAVIN will be awarding seven professionals from the world of wine on the international scene and another seven from the national scene. All of them enjoy a lengthy and productive trajectory in the world of wine.

The international laureates of these awards are: Aarno Magnusson, Finish journalist decorated by King Juan Carlos I with the Great Cross of the Civil Merit Order; the Belgian Louis Havaux, Honorary President of the FIJEV (International Federation of Wine Journalists and Writers), Editor-in-Chief of the magazine VINO and founding President of the trade fair Le Mondial du Vin and Pedro Poncelis, Mexican Sommelier of the Presidente Intercontinental Hotel.

The award has also been granted to the prestigious German journalist specialized in wine and wine marketing adviser, Jürgen Matäß; the North American Paul Wagner, Founder and President of Balzac Communication & Marketing and of the Academy of Wine Communications; Félix Benito, British Founder of C&D Wines and member of the Brotherhood of the Knights of the Vine, and the Chinese St. Pierre Jr., CEO of ASC Wines.

National Laureates

Likewise the national laureates are: Michel Grin, Director of Bodegas Murviedro (Valencia Denomination of Origin); Félix Solís, owner of Bodegas Félix Solís (Valdepeñas Denomination of Origin) and President of the Association of Winegrape Growers of the Geographic Area of the Valdepeñas Denomination of Origin and Alejandro Alonso, Member of Congress for the province of Toledo. He is also the former Minister for Agriculture and the Environment. During his stage as Minister he was the driving force behind the regional wine sector and he created the Institute of the Vine and Wine, IVICAM.

Likewise receiving the award "A Life Dedicated to Wine" is Rafael Puyó, Secretary General of the AVIMES-ASEVICAMAN; Jesús Mendrano, owner of the group Bodegas Medrano and Miguel Raya, member of Alcohols and Wines (ALVISA) of Socuéllamos and Bienvenido Muñoz Crespo, President of FEVIN (Mancha Denomination of Origin).

The Tenor and Master of Ceremonies Enrique Viana has specifically designed an engaging script for the occasion, in which musical numbers will be masterfully performed, apart from a series of humorous enological ambience texts. Costumes and lighting will complete a function that has been specially written for the moment.

Enrique Viana is one of the most tireless scholars of the Bel Canto in our country, facet that has not hindered him from directing, producing and starring in many different shows to thus bring opera closer to the public, performing many of the leading roles in the most important lyrical theatres of the international geography. He has been the conductor of many different cultural events, such as the National Theatre Awards and he currently combines his performances on different stages with the creation of the script and presentation of RNE's Classic Radio Program "Solo Canciones Españolas" (Only Spanish Songs).

At this gala event he will be sharing the stage with three magnificent singers who already enjoy a fabulous career: the sopranos Amanda Serna and Mercedes Arcuri and the baritone Isidro Anaya. Daniel Oyarzabal will accompany all of them on the piano.

Executive Production will be the responsibility of the Castellano-Manchego company Estreno Producciones.