Manduria sommelier project promotes professional inclusion

In Manduria, Italy, Valentina Iunco, a 41-year-old woman living with spastic tetraparesis, has successfully completed the first level of a sommelier course. The training was part of the ‘Sommelier Fuoriclasse’ project, an initiative by Associazione Eventi Aps designed to promote professional inclusion for individuals with disabilities.

The project was established by Natalia Gutierrez Mahugo, a professional sommelier and mother of a non-verbal child, to create real autonomy and social opportunities for families facing similar challenges. Through the Abilia Academy, the program provides practical skills, including wine service and hospitality.

Separately, a recent evaluation of Italian rosé wines challenges long-standing prejudices regarding the category. A test of 14 accessible Italian rosés, priced between 5.80 and 14.90 euros, found that half were of good quality, with the top selection rated as excellent. The findings suggest that rosé wines are versatile options for various food pairings, such as seafood, light meats, and vegetables.