Zone News
We welcome the latest news from our Zone Chairmen, Chris Ankner (Americas), Michael Tamburri (Asia Pacific) and John Nicholas (Europe Africa).
AMERICAS - Chris Ankner
Good morning. I’m writing this in the middle of February, as Team Schurhammer are putting the final touches on our Great Weekend in New Orleans. We don’t have much international participation in the event which is a shame. If you’re from Europe or Asia and your experience in the US is New York, Chicago or Los Angeles you are missing a big part of what the US is. Mark Twain said, “It has been said that a Scotchman has not seen the world until he has seen Edinburgh; and I think that I may say that an American has not seen the United States until he has seen Mardi-Gras in New Orleans.” I have always had a soft spot in my heart for The Big Easy. When I was twelve years old, I saw Live and Let Die (yes, Roger Moore is my first Bond). The back drops were so unlike the cityscape in my native Chicago. I was fascinated. New Orleans has been a living, breathing thing for me since then. It will be my first event as Chairman of the Americas. So absolutely perfect.
My second event though will be this summer on the Rhine River. I’m sure you’ve seen our advertising and emails. As I write this there are a couple of cabins left on the boat. If you haven’t been on one of our river cruises, you’re missing something.
I don’t think that I’ve said “welcome aboard” to our newest branch in the Florida Keys. Peter Miao has quietly put together a string of new branches, but a shout out has to go to Denise Guntert, who has gone above and beyond opening this branch.
So where to now? The raison d’etre of the Society will always be the branches. Members interact with their local branch in ways that they can’t with a national organization. My extremely able Vice Chairman Ananth Natarajan has been talking to Branch leadership across the Americas. The branches want to know what we are doing for them and we want to know what the branches want from us. We held a seminar on insurance, and we expect to hold another on our web-site. I see nothing but positives in the future.
ASIA PACIFIC – Michael Tamburri
It’s exciting to see that most of our APZ branches have recommenced their activities, and I’m pleased with the number of events that have celebrated the 90th anniversary of the Society. For the branches that haven’t had the opportunity to celebrate this occasion, André Simon founded the Society on 20 October 1933 and you still have until October 2024 to celebrate this special occasion with your fellow branch members.
It was an incredible experience to partake in the APZ Sydney Festival from 18-22 October 2023. I thank the APZ NSW President Jim Anderson and his team for their fantastic work. I also thank APZ Treasurer Erik Lehnacker and his team from the Victorian branch for organising the post-festival tour in Melbourne/Mornington Peninsula. I wasn’t able to attend but all reports from attendees was that it was an incredible experience. My sincere appreciation to all the people that attended.
We are now looking forward to the IWFS Triennial Hong Kong Festival from 15 – 17 November 2024, and post tour to Macau from Sunday evening 17 – 19 November 2024. At the time of writing we have received numerous bookings for the festival and it was pleasing to see that we had participation from all our 3 zones. If you haven’t received this notification, please get in touch with our APZ administrator at: apz@iwfs.org. I’m looking forward to welcoming you all with our host President Karen Leung and her committee from the Hong Kong branch. I’ll be delighted to share wonderful wine, food and experiences with you all.
It's exciting to announce that we have a new branch application for Hainan Island and l look forward to this new branch joining our APZ family later in the year. You should have received our January IWFS-APZ e-newsletter and hopefully everyone has had an opportunity to see this in the new format. My sincere gratitude to all editors and members who contributed, and if you are not receiving the newsletter please send your details to our APZ Administrator at: apz@iwfs.org.
My sincere thanks and appreciation to the voluntary contribution of our APZ Board and Executive Committee Members for their continued commitment to the advancement of the IWFS - APZ.
EUROPE AFRICA – John Nicholas
As around much of the world (see Sid’s Blog), Europe has had a winter of strange weather patterns. In the north, numerous named windstorms, torrents of relentless rain and above average temperatures with several very cold spells. In Mediterranean countries, there are drought conditions, as well as windstorms and higher than average temperatures. Some ski resorts would be having a very poor winter but for the ubiquitous snow making machines. These conditions will inevitably affect the wine industry, and many winemakers are considering planting different varieties of grape to those traditionally grown. However, the effects are also affecting all agriculture and are contributing to the inflationary pressures of food production.
Within our region, progress is being made to create a social media platform so that we can “spread the word” about our Society. Along with this we are developing a wine tasting video led by Anne Krebiehl MW, who authored our recent monograph “Pinot Noir Around the World”. The video, wine suggestions and notes will be provided to branches who want to use it for a branch wine tasting event. We also hope to use it for an introductory talk using social media to support it, particularly in areas where the Society is not yet represented.
The third annual young chefs’ competition has commenced with 8 catering colleges in the UK taking part. The theme this year is “Free From”, a movement to meet the needs of those with allergies or dietary preferences. We have sponsorship from several organisations, including Saga Cruises, Bury Black Pudding Company Ltd and the Savoy Educational Trust. We will promote the event and its results through Social Media. The Awards lunch will be held at Bolton College on Tuesday, 21 May.
Some of our branches are becoming more adventurous. Three are travelling to Italy later in the year, one has taken a box at a horse race meeting, and one may be organising a dinner at Chequers (the country residence of the UK Prime Minister). Most branches have resumed their full programme of “usual” events at beloved and new venues.
We are fortunate that IWFS and its events and festivals give us a haven from the many current uncertainties in the world including wars, natural disasters, the impacts of climate change as well as economic and political pressures. We must ensure that we continue with the enjoyment provided by wine and food and the friendship of our fellow members during these uncertain times.