Varadero Underscores Importance of Gourmet Realm in Cuba

Varadero, the main travel destination of sun and beach on the island of Cuba, held from 12 to 16 April the first international Gourmet Fair of Cuba, which brought together importers and distributors of delicatessen products, as well as wine, spirit and liquor dealers.

Held at the Plaza America Convention Center, the event was sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism, the Club de Sommeliers de Cuba, the Culinary Federation of Cuba and Palmares Business Group.

The event was characterized a major exchange of experience between food and beverage professionals, including several conferences devoted to the gourmet world, vintage cigars, chocolate, mineral water, oil or aged Havana Club rum, all accompanied by tastings.

Participants could also notice new wines and products for tourism in Cuba, such as those presented by the Freixenet office in Cuba, including the Rose Cava Elyssia, Oroya, a wine (designed for the Japanese sushi food),the new wine Rivarey from Marques de Cáceres winery and the Gran Devocion wines (Syrah/Carmenere and Syrah/Petit Syrah).

For its part Caribemar Commercial Group SA, launched at the Varadero Gourmet Fair, its new line of wines Giacobazzi, with designation of origin of the Emilia-Romagna, including different Lambruscos typical of northern Italy.

Meanwhile, Bodegas Torres stunned the audience not only with select wines from the region of Curico, Chile, but also with the Natureo, the first alcohol-free wine to be sold in Cuba, designed for the consumption of drivers, pregnant women or others who cannot consume alcohol.

The fair came to a close with a contest to select the best sommelier of Cuba 2010, who won Placido Sariol of Hotel Ancon, in the central city of Trinidad.