One would not expect much of a market for wine in the
Middle East, where alcohol is either banned or limited., but an Italian
winemaker has found a unique way to break into this young market while making a
pretty penny. Located in the Veneto region, Iris Vigneti has struck a deal with
a leading Turkish distributor to sell a limited edition of 1,000 bottles of
alcoholic and non-alcoholic premium prosecco, called Diamond and Sparkling
Lady, respectively. Costing 10,000 euro, each bottle is individually hand blown
by Maestro Varisco, a glassmaker in Treviso who uses ancient Venetian
glassblowing techniques, and is adorned in gold. The packaging, designed by
French luxury designer Hermes, will be just as impressive: the wine boxes will
be decorated in rare and expensive python skin.
