Matteo Vanzi of Italy is the winner of the BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® World’s Most Imaginative Bartender competition. Matteo Vanzi took home the top honors at the global final in Tuscany, Italy, which saw him compete against professional bartenders from around the world for the accolade and a prestigious prize. The world’s fastest-growing gin brand by volume and value[1]challenged the competitors to create a cocktail inspired by Tuscany, the home of the juniper berries, which lies at the heart of Bombay Sapphire gin.
The bartenders took part in a four-day event, in and around the historical city of Florence where they experienced the region. The winner, Matteo Vanzi of Italy was chosen from 11 finalists from around the world.
In addition to being crowned the Bombay Sapphire World’s Most Imaginative Bartender 2013 for his cocktail, he received the competition’s coveted trophy; has been invited to be judge at next year’s competition and will also become latest addition to the Bombay Sapphire Cocktail Hall of Fame – partaking in various duties, including attending the opening of the Bombay Sapphire Distillery at Laverstoke Mill in Hampshire, England, later this year. Furthermore Matteo Vanzi will have the unique opportunity to work with Virgin Atlantic to create their new signature cocktail, which will feature as part of the airline’s Clubhouse[2] menu, giving consumers worldwide a taste of their imagination.
[1]Data sourced from International Wine and Spirit Research (IWSR), for the 12 months to the end of December 2011. Major brands are those that feature in the top 5 by volume and value globally.
[2] The winning cocktail will be available at the following Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses: Heathrow, Gatwick, Hong Kong, San Francisco, Washington, JFK, Newark and Johannesburg.