When it comes to wines, Italy’s Prosecco is probably the most beloved in the world. And while much credit is given to its manufacturing process, UNESCO recently decided to credit the region that grows and cultivates the grapes which make for it. In a meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan on Sunday 7 July, The UNESCO World Heritage Committee honored the Prosecco region with the acclaimed world heritage site status.
Located in Veneto in the north-east of Italy, the exotic region is characterized by ‘hogback’ hills, ciglioni – small plots of vines on narrow grassy terraces – forests, small villages, and farmland. The area also consists of the Conegliano and Valdobbiadene hills, where the grapes that produce the famous Prosecco sparkling wine are particularly grown. Commenting on the accreditation, President of the Consortium for the Protection of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG, Innocente Nardi, in a statement said: “The producers that make up the Consortium of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG have been at the heart of UNESCO nomination.”
He further added, “They live and shape the uniqueness of our landscape, with its patchwork of steep, demanding vineyards that can only ever be worked by hand. Countless generations have forged our distinctive patchworks and unique grassy earth terraces, that we call ciglioni. Their labor has carved out from nature a unique identity that has led to UNESCO recognition.” Prosecco hills now form Italy’s 55th heritage site. The region is said to aim at developing sustainable conservation of the landscape and supporting the growing tourism in the area in the coming years.
[Via:TheDrinksBusiness]
