Italy's Antinori wine dynasty named Drinks International 'World's most admired brand'

Italy's most famous wine dynasty is celebrating an important international accolade, which it says recognizes the entire industry. Marchesi Antinori was named as the World's Most Admired Wine Brand by Drinks International.‌ The prestigious ranking is determined by connoisseurs from six continents and it's the first Italian wine in 13 years to top the list.

A‌lbiera Antinori, who now runs the brand, told CGTN Europe that their recognition is long overdue: "It's an honor and a pleasure obviously, it is a recognition not only for us but for the whole Italian wine world. I think it was time."

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‌The Antinori family tree is impressive, tracing a 600-year history that's intertwined with the Tuscan territory. Alongside her two sisters, Albiera represents the 26th generation and is the first woman at the helm.

‌"There is a very smooth transition from family or growing up and then starting to work and being a part of the business," said Antinori.  "Now we are three generations working in the winery - my father, there is us and our children."

‌She says her predecessors became global pioneers by balancing tradition and innovation.

‌"One of the milestones in recent years that we can point out is the birth of a wine called Tignanello in the 1970s because it represented the beginning of what we call the Renaissance of Tuscan wines."

Alberto Mattiacci from Rome's Luiss Business School says the brand provides an important benchmark.

‌"They have been excellent in transforming a family-owned business into a managerial company and so the result is that Antinori nowadays is maybe the only real global player in the Italian industry.”

‌One of the biggest threats to the industry is climate change. This year Italy experienced both record drought and floods.

‌"The weather is becoming more tropical, so more extreme. Water management is increasingly important. Higher altitude is a good solution, less plants per hectare is a good solution, so it's about constantly adapting," says Antinori.

‌Mattiacci believes Italian wineries are well prepared, "Wine nowadays is a science-based product and there are very good scientists working with wine in Italy. So, they have an impressive ability to respond to this challenge."

‌So far the Antinori family has weathered the storm with good results forecast for 2023.‌  And with new generations in training, the family hopes to be successful for centuries to come.

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