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Antonino Riggio - The Wonderful World of Plants

Antonino Riggio founded his company only in 2005; the business grew out of an extensive passion for lupins. The plant with its large, colourful flowers grows wild in Central Europe and elsewhere in the world, and they make a favourite meal for bees. Gardeners employ lupins to improve the soil, cattle farmers know them to be valuable fodder plants. The cultivated species are referred to as sweet lupins; they contain fewer alkaloids than their wild counterparts. The seeds, which contain almost 50% protein, would seem to provide a successful alternative to soy. Clinical studies have shown other positive medicinal effects; substances derived from lupins can protect cells and counteract cancer, as well as help control cholesterol levels.

Plant amateur Riggio followed this up with another innovative idea in 2006. He developed a bitter named "Ginseno", processed from ginseng, aromatic herbs and medicinal plants. Ginseno is available in different flavours; Naturale, Amabile, Alla Menta, and Alla Manna. The latter contains a sap extract from the Manna Ash (Fraxinus ornus), which grows in Madonie, a nature reserve near Castelbuono. The dried sap contains mannite, a sugar substitute also used in pharmacology.

In future, Riggio plans further Ginseno variants, flavoured with Agrumi di Sicilia (oranges and mandarins), almonds and cactus fruit. All products are labelled "APLCEFALU" which refers to their origin: the town of Cefalù on the Northern coast of Sicily.

The trip to Carinthia to the World Spirits Award paid off: the bitter Ginseno alla Manna received a gold medal.

Heimat Distillers: Taste from the homeland

In an old natural stonework in Schwaigern near Heilbronn sits one of the largest spirits manufacturers in southern Germany. Marcel Eßlinger, Raphael Heiche and Rouven Richter work sustainably here and with attention to detail. They have been friends since childhood. Rouven’s father and Raphael’s father-in-law are the fifth generation to run the family-owned distillery. The trio started looking into distillation early on and gin is integral to their evenings together. As regards the recipe for their own gin, ‘authentic taste from the homeland’ was to be put into bottles. 18 hand-selected botanicals were processed, such as meadow sage and thyme, as well as apples from the regional meadow orchards. Distilling takes place in a traditional copper pot still in a small batch procedure, then the gin matures in a stoneware barrel.

Their latest product is Rum Ramero, which matures on site in one of the biggest rum barrel warehouses in Germany. The story of how it evolved is interesting. In 2014, the three founders headed to Guyana for a social project, where they met an enthusiastic sugarcane farmer – today the basis for their own rum brand. The sugarcane comes 100% from natural cultivation and is fair trade. With every bottle sold, they are supporting social projects in the cultivation regions. “Only through the maturation in our own barrel warehouse can we bring the quality to the required level,” Rouven explains. “For us, barrels are more than a receptacle, they are the decisive ingredient for individuality.”

At the World Spirits Award, gold was awarded to Ramero Rum Blanco, silver to Heimat Dry Gin, Ramero Rum Cask Selection and the ginger spirit Ingefaer, and bronze to Heimat Barrel Aged Dry Gin.

Klippenziege: New era in the world of gin

In December 2015, four friends captured the ‘spirit’ of an idea: they were thinking about gin. Nearly a year later a small batch was bottled by hand. The individuality of a gin lies in the combination of the botanicals, in this case it is the exotic selection: mate tea, goji berries, physalis and a hint of rose. The Klippenziege is a New Western Dry Gin, in which juniper plays the main role amongst the other botanicals.

It is produced in the Habbel Distillery, which guarantees excellent quality thanks to its experience – it was established in 1878 and is now in the family’s fourth generation. The former Korn distillery in Sprockhövel with adjoining farmland is now the largest fruit distillery in the Ruhr region, as a traditional manufacturer it stands out with its attention to detail. The entire manufacturing process at Klippenziege can also be observed on-site.

The bottle and the label are also special. Designer Levent Aydin drew it carefully by hand, and then digitalised it before perfecting it. First it is printed, then coated, then stamped and embossed. The elegant result stands for friendship, solidarity and love. Working together in a friendly and familiar atmosphere connects people with a passion for life who share one important belief: that the product should encourage people to slow down, allowing for mindful enjoyment.

At the World Spirits Award, there was silver for Mate Dry Gin.