Papal audience for vintners, sommeliers

(ANSA) - Vatican City, January 20 - Wine producers, oenologists, sommeliers, journalists and representatives of Italy's gourmet associations are to gather in the Vatican for an audience with Pope Francis on Wednesday, organisers said Tuesday.
    "I had the idea after hearing the pope talk about wine on several occasions, not just in relation to its Christian symbolism but also to its hedonistic aspect," said Franco Ricci, president of the Italian Sommelier Foundation and proponent of the audience.
    "I was sitting on the sofa and I heard him say, in reference to something positive: 'Like a good wine'. So why shouldn't we meet him?' During the audience the sommeliers will present the pope with a tastevin, a small, shallow silver cup for tasting wines that is the symbol of the profession.
    Angelo Gaja, Nicolò Incisa della Rochetta and Antinori will be among the vintners present.