MAY 2015

Wine n’ About was invited to the Masterclass on Tuscan Flavours & the Art of Pairing, organized by Sanpellegrino, renowned Chef Alessandro Frau from Acqua Restaurant and Chef Dario Busnelli from Attico Restaurant. The Masterclass aimed to bring the guest through a culinary journey on Tuscan dishes and the pairing of water, wine and food to enhance the dining experience.

2014 marked the 450th Anniversary of Acqua Panna Natural Still Mineral Water, celebrating a long history of Tuscan excellence, culture, food and wine, and environmental care. In this special occasion, the Tuscan Region acknowledged Acqua Panna as a 100% Tuscan product of excellence, allowing Acqua Panna to carry the Tuscan Taste logo, previously only given to wine producers.

Acqua Panna will be the first mineral water granted use of the logo, which is formed by a refreshing splash of blue water in the silhouette of the Tuscany region.

“The Tuscany Region has created the Tuscany Taste logo for the 100% Tuscan products of excellence. So far the opportunity to use it has been given only to selected wine producers” – says Enrico Rossi, President of Region of Tuscany –, “but Acqua Panna has a strong connection with the territory of our region and it’s certainly one of our excellences which represents Tuscany both in Italy or abroad. Our plan for the future is to extend the opportunity of the logo usage to all the top quality Tuscan productions in the food and beverages sector, starting by moving from wine only to wine and water”.

On its exquisitely designed new label, there is a stronger association to its Tuscan roots telling the story of Acqua Panna. The red background painted on the label is the illustration of the countryside landscape of Tuscany, with rolling hills and cypress trees in which the Acqua Panna source lies on a nature reserve since 1564.

Tuscany is not only a territory rich in natural beauty, art and culture, it is also a land recognized throughout the world for its traditional dishes, local products and excellent wines. Acqua Panna encompasses the essence of Tuscan lifestyle, heritage and sophistication; rooted in the heart of the Italian culinary, artistic and historical tradition.

Acqua Panna flows from the Apennine Mountains inside the very heart of Tuscany. The Acqua Panna natural spring is the result of a 10 – 15 year journey deep underground through rock strata, emerging on the slopes of Mt. Gazzaro, 25 km north of Florence. Acqua Panna‘s perfectly balanced composition is the result of a unique hydro-geological catchment basin that is one of a kind. The estate’s pristine environment of woodland, forest and meadow has been designated as a natural reserve for vegetation and wildlife.

The estate of Villa Panna boasts an untouched reserve of 1300 hectares surrounding the source. Villa Panna has a remarkable history, dating back to the Renaissance period when the influential Medici Family owned and resided on the estate.

The Medici family was known for their banking prowess, patronage of the arts, political aspirations and their sumptuous entertaining.

Lorenzo de’ Medici (known as Lorenzo the Magnificent) revered the smooth and velvety taste of Acqua Panna, sending demijohns of Acqua Panna to his court and the aristocratic society of Florence. His great granddaughter, Catherine de Medici is credited with revitalizing French Cuisine – she brought a retinue of chefs, market gardeners and vintners to Paris for her wedding to Henry II of France in 1533.

On July 15, 1564, a declaration was made establishing official property lines of the Medici Estate, intended as a private reserve for farming and game. Since that day, the Estate has remained untouched and protected, and has since been home to the Acqua Panna spring.

Renowned for its smooth, velvety taste, palate cleansing ability and luminescent appearance, Acqua Panna is a special mineral water that enhances the authentic flavours of food and wine. Acqua Panna is the official mineral water of the International Sommeliers Association and is endorsed by many of the world’s leading chefs and sommeliers.

“Acqua Panna represents all the power of nature in the heart of the Tuscan Apennines, with 1300 hectares of natural preserve, a unique aquifer, and a long history of culture, passion and love for the Tuscan environment” – says Giorgio Mondovì, Sanpellegrino International Business Unit Director– Because of this, we are honoured to have the bottles of Acqua Panna throughout the world with an emblem that highlights the strong connection between this mineral water and its native territory to celebrate this important anniversary”.

About S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna

S.Pellegrino, Acqua Panna and Sanpellegrino Sparkling Fruit Beverages are international trademarks of Sanpellegrino S.p.A. which is based in Milan, Italy.
Distributed in over 130 countries through branches and distributors in all five continents, these products represent quality excellence by virtue of their origins and perfectly interpret Italian style worldwide as a synthesis of pleasure, health and well-being.

Founded in 1899, Sanpellegrino S.p.A. is the leading company in the beverage sector in Italy with its range of mineral waters, non-alcoholic aperitifs, drinks and iced teas. As a major Italian producer of mineral water, it has always been committed to enhancing this primary good for the planet and works responsibly and passionately to ensure that this resource has a secure future.