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Revolutionary AI-powered virtual sommelier app sets new benchmark for highly personalized wine discovery offered with unprecedented ease

For many, the process of discovering and selecting the bottle of wine—whether as a gift for another or a treat for themselves—can be overwhelming. That’s why BetterAI, a Silicon Valley technology company elevating the world of wine through the power of artificial intelligence (AI), has launched the world’s most comprehensive and intuitive wine search engine and recommendation system: “VinoVoss.” This revolutionary AI-driven platform makes it easier than ever for all wine enthusiasts—from novices to connoisseurs—to find the perfect wine for any occasion. Acting as a virtual sommelier, the VinoVoss semantic search and recommendation system harnesses the power of AI to provide personalized wine recommendations, catering to the unique preferences of each user. If you don’t know anything about wine, no problem, type a description and the AI-powered VinoVoss semantic search will understand the user’s needs and provide personalized wine recommendations.

This industry innovation is quite consequential, particularly as reports project that the United States wine market will generate $39 billion in revenue in 2024. One of the main reasons cited for America’s wine market growth is changing consumer preferences, with analyst opinions underscoring that “wine is no longer seen as a luxury item reserved for special occasions, but rather as a beverage that can be enjoyed on a daily basis. This shift in consumer preferences has led to an increased demand for a wide variety of wines, from traditional red and white wines to more unique and exotic options.”  This includes traditional international varieties from established regions to more indigenous grapes and emerging locations.

“The subjective nature of taste has long stumped traditional wine-focused search engines, and the breadth of wine and viniculture information is challenging to navigate without a skilled guide,” said Angel Vossough, BetterAI CEO and Co-Founder. “By employing NextGen data technologies and language models, our VinoVoss innovation singlehandedly overcomes these limitations by providing professional-quality wine guidance at your fingertips. This highly advanced, AI-powered platform gives users the most comprehensive selection of wines available on the planet, empowering them to make accurate and informed decisions about their selection.”

The VinoVoss interface has numerous intuitive capabilities, including allowing users to readily search for wines by grape variety, region or price; get personalized wines based on taste preferences; compare wines to find a perfect match for a meal; track their own wine collection and create a wish list; search for organic, natural wines; and more. “Wine Discovery” categories allow easy exploration by color and type, top occasions (like gift-giving or fine dining), unique picks (like celebrity or sommelier selections or rare collectibles) and a fun “Surprise Me!” option.

Of course, users can browse by varietals like popular, classic, and emerging grapes, and popular styles like fruity or bold. A “Regions” category is also handy for those who prefer geographic appellation-based sorting or even niche trends like volcanic, coastal, and high altitude. The real fun is asking VinoVoss human, conversation-style questions or providing prompts, like:

“What is the best wine from Chile?”;

“I’m looking for a red wine that’s good with steak”;

“I’m craving a bold, full-bodied red wine”; or

“What Bordeaux do celebrities like that goes with pork?”

The learning and personalization aspect is profoundly impactful. For example, an adventurous VinoVoss user can select the “Surprise Me!” mood in the app, and the AI virtual sommelier recommends a lesser-known, yet highly-rated Pinot Noir, matching the user’s previously-tracked taste profile that has led to a new favorite discovery. For date night, a user inputs “Romantic Dinner” as the search query, and the AI recommends a selection of wines that complement their planned meal, enhancing the overall dining experience.

Not just a solution for consumers, there are numerous B2B applications that benefit business owners as well. For example, a wine retailer integrates VinoVoss into its online store and customers appreciate the customized AI-driven recommendations. In one case, this led to higher satisfaction and repeat purchases, resulting in a huge 30% revenue boost. In another case, a corporate event planner uses VinoVoss to select wines for a large company gala. The AI’s ability to cater to multiple palettes and meal pairings ensures a well-received selection across the board, simplifying the planner’s task and elevating the event’s success.

“VinoVoss is a highly specialized and advanced search engine founded on the mission of making it quick and easy for shoppers to best discover, explore and enjoy wines of the world that are perfectly suited to their specific tastes and preferences,” noted BetterAI CTO and Co-Founder Arsalan Vossough. “It’s a powerful and streamlined tool helping users build knowledge and shop, sip, and savor with more confidence than ever before.

To provide added context and perspective on the gravity of the invention, Arsalan went on to summarize a number of unique discriminators for the app:

Innovative AI Technology: Cutting-edge AI and natural language technology underlies VinoVoss’s sommelier recommendation features, elevating digital wine search beyond keyword matching and into the realm of Artificial Intelligence that can “understand” taste.Expertise in AI and Wine Industry: VinoVoss was created with a team of wine experts working alongside our technical team, keeping every step of development wine-informed and monitored by human wine experts.Data-Driven Customization: VinoVoss allows users to search for wines based on needs, occasion, mood, event type, food pairing, and any other descriptions imaginable, which can be processed by our wine-specific natural-language models.Personalized User Experience: VinoVoss utilizes complex analytics to tailor recommendations to individual user preferences, tracking personal taste patterns and activity to create user-specific data profiles.Commitment to Innovation: VinoVoss is committed to continuous innovation in wine recommendation, joining the traditional expertise of wine sommeliers with the quickly evolving AI field. Our infrastructure is continuously updated to stay up-to-date with wine and technology developments.Data Privacy and Security: As VinoVoss involves AI and potentially collects data for personalized recommendations, it emphasizes a commitment to data privacy and security, and we are sensitive to public concerns about data handling.AI Ethics: VinoVoss takes ethical considerations related to the use of AI in consumer products seriously. We seek to provide a tool to complement current wine businesses and professionals.

To the above, Angel added the revelation that “planned future developments of VinoVoss include social networking features for wine enthusiasts, data APIs for wine businesses, and integrations with alcohol delivery apps.”

All of this ingenuity is driven by a talented and passionate group of researchers, analysts, engineers, software developers, certified wine experts, and sommeliers. BetterAI’s VinoVoss team is on a mission to create the world’s most intuitive and personalized AI-powered wine search and recommendation system that will knowingly adapt and evolve with its users.

The Silicon Valley-headquartered company is aptly leveraging leading edge technologies like AI, Machine Learning, Generative AI, Natural Language Processing, and Computer Vision to hone this transformative solution that is revolutionizing the relationship between wine and digital platforms. Now, beginners, seasoned wine lovers, and others thirsting for a better way to vet vino can benefit from the sophisticated, personalized and interactive VinoVoss experience. This pioneering platform empowers users to make highly-informed decisions about their wine selections, explore new varietals, find new favorites and even rediscover old gems quicker and easier than ever before.

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***Some or all of the accommodations(s), experience(s), item(s) and/or service(s) detailed above may have been provided or arranged at no cost to accommodate if this is review editorial, but all opinions expressed are entirely those of Merilee Kern and have not been influenced in any way.***

Sources:

https://www.statista.com/outlook/cmo/alcoholic-drinks/wine/united-states#:~:text=In%202024%2C%20the%20Wine%20market,growth%20of%201.6%25%20in%202025

Chef Tyler Florence at Miller & Luxe Hualalai

The newest culinary venue for celebrity chef Tyler Florence is at the luxury Four Seasons Hualalai on the island of Hawaii. Named Miller & Lux, it’s a Hawaiian-style steakhouse that is the talk of the Big Island in 2024.

Chef Tyler is a television star on Food Network, captivating millions of foodie viewers on his Emmy-nominated ‘Tyler’s Ultimate’ and ‘The Great Food Truck Race’, among other popular cooking-theme shows. He has authored 16 cookbooks and enjoys making guest appearances preparing creative fare on Oprah, The View, and The Today Show. 

When Chef Tyler opened his first Miller & Lux in San Francisco it was recognized as “Best of the Bay” by San Francisco Magazine and featured in the Michelin Guide. Now he has opened his second location in Hawaii, using the highest-quality steaks from the best ranches in the country.

Overlooking the Hualalai golf course’s 18th hole, the robust bar is a popular spot after a round of golf. It’s also one of the best sunset viewing venues for golfers and hotel guests to watch the sun dip into the ocean. 

The verdant green championship golf course designed by golf legend Jack Nicklaus is one of the most dramatic courses on the island. Black-lava landscaping, towering palm trees and white-sand beach views appeal to golfers of all skill levels. This golf course is home to the Mitsubishi Electric Championship, a golf tournament on the PGA Tour Champions in Hawaii.

Crispy Lobster Louie. Photo Jill Weinlein

Besides steaks, Chef Tyler and his kitchen prepare fresh sustainable seafood and farm-direct vegetables featured on the thoughtfully curated menu. Servers are happy to recommend hand-selected wines and seasonal cocktails to pair with a meal.

Diners start with one of Chef Tyler’s iconic fresh out of the oven popovers. They are served warm and are crisp on the outside and soft inside. These golden rolls offer a distinctive egg flavor and are easy to pull apart to enjoy with a swipe of butter.

Innovative starters include crispy tempura lobster with tempura hearts of palms overflowing out of a lobster shell. An ethereal Louie aioli is on the bottom of the plate for swirling and enhancing the large bite-sized pieces.

This starter pairs nicely with a glass of Miller & Lux 2020 Chardonnay from the Russian River Valley in Sonoma, CA. 

Miller & Lux Bigeye Tuna Tacos. Photo Jill Weinlein

Another creative starter is the Bigeye Tuna tacos served on a custom wood Miller & Lux serving tray. The small crispy wonton taco shells are filled with fresh chopped ahi tuna and are heightened with miso mayo, Asian pear chili crisp and a spicy shiso leaf.

This starter pairs well with a glass of 2021 Pinot Noir ‘Alexana’ from Willamette Valley, OR. 

Miller & Lux Steakhouse Wedge. Photo Jill Weinlein

The circular Steakhouse Wedge salad dazzles with smoked bacon lardon, chopped local Kamuela tomatoes, pickled red onion slices, crumbled blue cheese and fine herbs in a vinaigrette dressing.

Other salads include a Hawaiian Big Eye Tuna Nicoise with haricot verts, hearts of palm, olives and a basil pistou dressing. Miller & Lux also prepares a Caesar Salad for Two tableside. Guests watch their server add hand-harvested lettuce, Spanish anchovies, and crunchy sourdough croutons in a bowl, before tossing with a delicious Meyer Lemon dressing.

Wagyu Skirt ‘Steak Au Poivre’ at Miller & Lux. Photo Jill Weinlein

Under the Steaks & Plates section there is an 8 ounce Wagyu Skirt ‘Steak Au Poivre’ served with a heaping amount of crisp and warm truffle french fries. This Prime Black Angus is cooked perfectly and is tender to cut. The butter and green peppercorn sauce intensify the pleasing earthy flavors.

There is also an 8 ounce filet of beef with a bordelaise sauce, accompanied with onion jam and beef chicharron.

A Japanese A5 Wagyu has a little Hawaiian sea salt added, as do both the 20 ounce Prime dry-aged Black Angus bone-in New York Strip, and the 52 ounce Prime Australian Sustainable Wagyu Tomahawk.

The M&L burger is made with a dry-aged blend patty. Melted Mt. Tam triple cream brie cheese, plus bacon jam, crispy onions and truffle fried make this one of the most decadent burger’s on the island.

Guests can have their meal elevated with an addition of King crab with Bearnaise and tarragon sauce or add half ounce of Burgundy Perigord truffles that are shaved onto the plate tableside.

Miller & Luxe Coconut Cake with Caramel Sauce. Photo Jill Weinlein

Desserts at Miller & Luxe Hualalai include an eye-catching 7-layer coconut cake with a rum caramel sauce served in a small carafe. Guests can pour the desired amount of sauce over the appealing slice frosted with white chocolate.

Other sweet endings of the meal include a Hawaiian fruit basket tart with pink guava sorbet, and Profiteroles with Liliko’i carmel, dark chocolate ganache and macadamia nut gelato.

The piece de resistance is Banana Foster prepared tableside for two people. It’s served with banana bread, macadamia nut brittle and Hawaiian vanilla bean gelato.

Sunset at Four Seasons Hualalai. Photo Jill Weinlein

In a William Sonoma interview years ago, Chef Tyler reflected on a memory starting out as a new chef. ‘In my first year of culinary school at Johnson and Wales, chef Victor Sumuro walked over to my station, picked up my knife and felt the sharpness of the blade with his thumb. He laid it down, made eye contact with me and said, ‘Dull knife, dull chef.’

There is nothing dull about the thoughtful menu at Miller & Lux. It’s exciting, innovative and ignites one’s senses and soul.

Accommodations at the Four Seasons Hualalai Resort fluctuate based on seasons. Throughout the year the resort promotes offers on certain dates, as well as nightly resort credits to use for a special dinner at Miller & Lux.

Nestled amidst the verdant greens of the 18th Fairway of Pinnacle Peak Country Club lies an architectural marvel that epitomizes the pinnacle of luxury living. Originally crafted by Signature Builders and meticulously redesigned and renovated in 2011, this custom home stands as a testament to exquisite craftsmanship and timeless elegance.

From the moment one steps foot into this abode, it becomes evident that no detail has been overlooked. The integration of state-of-the-art automation systems ensures seamless living, where comfort and convenience harmonize effortlessly. With a cutting-edge sound system resonating throughout and solar panels adorning the roof, sustainability meets sophistication in this modern oasis.

The outdoor spaces of this residence rival even the most luxurious of resorts. An expansive covered patio, adorned with misters to provide comfort even on the warmest of days, overlooks a heated pool and spa ensconced within lush landscaping. A grill area, featuring concrete counters and a Viking outdoor grill, beckons enthusiasts of al fresco dining to indulge in culinary delights amidst the backdrop of nature’s splendor.

Upon crossing the threshold, guests are greeted by a symphony of rich textures and elegant finishes. Solid wood beams traverse the ceilings, while hardwood floors seamlessly transition into authentic rectangular Saltillo tiles, creating an ambiance of warmth and sophistication. Artisanal tile work and custom ironwork adorn the five fireplaces, each exuding its unique charm and character.

Entertaining in this abode is made easy with a custom bar, replete with concrete countertops and an array of amenities including an ice maker, dishwasher, and wine fridge. Accordion windows open to the outdoor patio, blurring the lines between interior and exterior, while a billiards room beckons enthusiasts to indulge in friendly competition amidst the soothing sounds of a courtyard fountain.

The heart of this home lies within its chef’s kitchen, where culinary dreams are brought to life amidst a backdrop of stunning design and unparalleled functionality. Equipped with a Viking gas range, Subzero fridge and freezer, and a copper farm sink, this culinary haven is a symphony of form and function. A built-in Miele espresso machine ensures that each day begins with the perfect cup of coffee, setting the tone for a day of indulgence and delight.

For those seeking respite and relaxation, the primary suite offers sanctuary amidst the chaos of everyday life. A gas fireplace flickers with warmth, while a steam shower and elegant standalone tub invite weary souls to unwind and rejuvenate. The adjacent walk-in closet, complete with its washer/dryer, ensures that even the most mundane of tasks are transformed into moments of luxury and indulgence.

In addition to its opulent main quarters, this residence boasts an array of amenities designed to cater to every need and desire. Multiple office spaces, ideal for remote work, offer dedicated areas for focus and productivity, while a separate casita provides luxurious accommodations for guests, complete with a mini-kitchen and bath.

804 E La Senda Drive is offered at $4,700,000.

Represented by Allison Cahill of The Agency Scottsdale.

Akaay Kohli accounts create mayhem on social media© Twitter

(credit: Auro Wellness)

This year marks the 22nd anniversary of the world’s greatest swag bag from Distinctive Assets, the LA-based entertainment marketing company credited with transforming celebrity gifting into a pop culture phenomenon. Independently given by Distinctive Assets to select Oscar® Nominees, it will once again include a broad array of fabulous items with a high-priced tag. We are humbled that our ‘Everyone Wins’ Nominee Gift Bag continues to garner worldwide media attention and spark conversation. While our gifts may be famous for being fun, fabulous and unique, they also serve to elevate small businesses, minority-owned brands, female entrepreneurs and companies who give back. This is celebrity marketing with a mission,” said Lash Fary, Founder, Distinctive Assets.

(credit: Rose Box NYC)

This year’s top acting and directing nominees include Colman Domingo, Jeffrey Wright, Lily Gladstone, Carey Mulligan, Sterling K. Brown, Mark Ruffalo, Danielle Brooks, Da’Vine Joy Randolph and Christopher Nolan will be treated to a six-figure gift bag intended to pamper, delight, surprise and inspire. “While this gift bag does, as always, have an impressive six-figure value, that is neither our focus nor goal,” says Fary. “Just as any A-list actor doesn’t ‘need’ millions of dollars to walk onto a film set, these gifts are given based on the invaluable stardust these nominees can bestow upon a brand. Of course they can afford to buy these things; they are also in a uniquely favorable marketing position. This is a straightforward win/win transaction.”

From an all-inclusive luxurious Swiss getaway for up to ten guests from Chalet Zermatt Peak, a seven-day holistic wellness retreat from the Golden Door, a three-night stay in a breathtaking private villa from Saint-Barth Paradise, THOR Kitchen luxury kitchen appliances + culinary accessories and a full line Miage ultra-luxury transformative skincare products and more, here is the full list of items included in this year’s bag.

(credit: Miage Skincare)

Miage Skincare Miage: five-piece luxury gift set includes: BLOOM La Milpa Lip Treatment, AWAKENED The Isotonic Eye Elixir, MANIFEST The Day Lotion, CLARITY The Purifying Wash and INVOKE The Night Cream.

Chalet Zermatt Peak, Switzerland: each nominee is welcome to invite up to nine of their family and friends to enjoy the property and all the wonders and magic of Zermatt, Switzerland for three nights.

Golden Door: Nestled in the serene hills, the Golden Door offers a holistic approach to wellness, each nominee can enjoy a seven-day retreat at the Golden Door in San Marcos, California. 

PETA: the vegan dog food company v-dog has pledged 10,000 meals for dogs in nee and recipients can post a photo of themselves wearing PETA’s new “Every Animal Is Someone” beanie to social media or return a postcard voucher—and 140 meals will be provided in their name.

Saint-Barth Paradise: the prestigious 2024 Oscar nominees and their guests can enjoy a unique three-night stay in one of its five most luxurious villas in St. Barts. 

THOR Kitchen: nominees will receive THOR’s #cooklikeagod welcome package.

(credit: 1MD Nutrition®)

1MD Nutrition®: presents a luxury Mocktail kit for this year’s nominees.

Adonis Arcana: presents their “Red Carpet Kit” which includes The Perfecting Serum, The Perfecting Moisturizer, The Ideal Skin Mask and The Shadow Corrector.

Antigua Cruz Añejo Cristalino Tequila: a bottle of this award-winning ultra-premium tequila.

Auro Wellness: offering the first absorbable Topical Glutathione and a 45-minute wellness consultation with founder, Dr. Nayan Patel.

BAGCEIT(pronounced “bag-seat”): a small, lightweight, portable seat with retractable legs that holds purses, briefcases and bags of all types. 

BlendQuik: presenting the Next Generation Mason Jar Style Personal Portable Blender.

Blush Silks: pillowcases crafted from the highest grade pure mulberry silk.

Bored Rebel: Graphic Undershirts which can be worn as a base layer or a t-shirt, for both men and women. 

C60 Power: a bottle of C60 Power Sugar Free Tart Cherry Gummies (patent-pending), the first C60 Gummies in the world

Carl Reads Minds: a live show from the comfort of your own home that combines magic, mind reading, hypnosis and comedy for a mind-blowing experience. 

(credit: Cate Brown Pillows)

cate brown: luxury sustainable toss pillows.

Potenza RF Microneedling by Cynosure: a microneedling treatment which is a customizable solution tailored to suit your individual skin needs.

Danucera: presents their D22 Tonic, a clean-beauty game changer with a potent formula packed with natural acids, minerals, enzymes and vitamins.

dooplikit: will get a “doop” (3D printed full-color selfie figurine) set on a mirrored platform base in an acrylic display case.

EATABLE: artisan hand-crafted “Poparazzi” Luxe Popcorn Tin features a trio of elevated twists to classic popcorn flavors with a dash of Hollywood glamor including: “Whisky on the Pops”, “Pop the Champagne” and “Black Truffle Pops” kettle corn.

ELBOQUE: one-of-a-kind sustainable bags.

élevé: adaptogen-infused sparkling water, made with organic fruit and plant extracts.

EpicLight Beauty: will offer The Radiant Duo which includes their Never Settle Radiant Cheek + Lip Blush and Lip Flip Treatment Balm.

Fetcha Chocolates: made by the award-winning, plant-based and allergen-free Scottish chocolatier, they will offer beautifully crafted chocolate inspired by each film nominated.

Gin Bothy: a handmade, small-batch, award-winning Scottish gin created exclusively for the 2024 ceremony.

(credit: Jambys)

Goodal: recipients will get both their Green Tangerine Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum and the Green Tangerine Vitamin C Moisturizing Eye Gel Patch.

Helight: sleep better with this NASA-inspired award-winning, portable, red light therapy device.

HEYDUDE shoes: comfortable and versatile shoes.

Hotsy Totsy Haus: their Deafinitely Divine Glow Kit : Carefully curated by the Fabulous Deafies in Drag in partnership with deaf- owned luxury bath and body brand Hotsy Totsy Haus.

INSTYTUTUM Result-Driven Skincare: Result-driven products from INSTYTUTUM including their: peeling Flawless Pads, Hydrafusion 4D HA Water Burst Cream and Fancy Match Lip Gloss.

ISOPURE®: Collagen Peptides provides support for healthy joints, hair, skin and nails + immune support.

Jambys: Your new softest tee is here. Looks like a tee, feels like a robe. 

Karma Nuts Karma: newly launched, the Karma Nuts Cashew Cookies are a delicious chewy bite-sized cookies Variety Pack including Cashew Date, Toasted Coconut and Chocolate Chip flavors.

Kate Schofield: private one-on-one session with celebrity sound healer Kate Schofiel.

Kenra Professional: Kenra Platinum Blow-Dry Spray dramatically decreases blow-dry time up to 50% and provides intense heat protection from damage and breakage.

(credit: Maison Construction)

Maison Construction: complimentary project management on the nominee’s next remodel or ground up project.

Meet the Playground Kids: book about kindness takes young readers and the young at heart back to the basics of empathy, inclusion and belonging. This gift also allows the recipient to select a school for an uplifting and interactive virtual visit.

Memorable Movie Performances: a combination of reference and editorial review of films of the Classic Era by J.B. Gould.

Overnight Travel Bags: the perfect overnight travel bags for when you just have to go but want to go in style.

poppi: reimaginethe soda experience with this modern soda.

Posh Pretzels: metallic gold accordion gift boxes displaying four tiers of rich, creamy, salty, sweet handcrafted chocolate covered pretzels.

Rose Box NYC: Rose Box NYC produces unforgettable floral arrangements that last for an entire year with absolutely no maintenance required.

Rubik’s Cube: celebrate Rubik’s Cube’s 50th Anniversary with this collector’s edition of the Rubik’s Retro Cube.

Safe:Safeis a gripping, riveting, and often hilarious memoir of two gay men trying to build a family through foster care.

Sagar Experience: as one of the most expensive sugars in the world, the Sagar is a noble and rare experience of unparalleled sweetness.

(credit: Sattaché)

Sattaché: the Sattaché Classic Bag is a functional, hygienic and versatile luxury shoe bag.

Schwank Grills: Schwank revolutionizes home grilling by heating overhead at temperatures up to 1500°F.

Serucell: Serucell Recovery Serum uses the multi-patented KFS anti-aging formula to rejuvenate and restore your skin’s cellular communication.

Shinery: experience professional-level jewelry cleaning at home with the Radiance Wash Luxury Jewelry Cleaner and Brush Duo.

Smack Pet Food: Canadian-made dog and cat superfood, handcrafted from raw, dehydrated organic and non- GMO ingredients into a delicious recipe.

Dr. Stacie Stephenson: transform your health with morning and evening meditations withGlow: 90 Days to Create Your Vibrant Life from Within.

STEM4Real: book by Dr. Tyrone B. Hayes designed to inspire young scientists to see the relevance of STEM in their everyday lives.

Wallis Annenberg GenSpace:a Bento Box of postcards with illustrations by members of the Wallis Annenberg GenSpace congratulating nominees and encouraging them to recognize those who paved their way.

Wesper: elevate your health and wellness journey with Wesper’s Complimentary Sleep Consultation Voucher, offering a personalized session with a renowned sleep expert and neuroscientist.

Windy City Sweets: an assortment of chewy sweet and lightly salted Black Licorice.

Workman Publishing (Hachette Book Group): Brian Abrams’ book which takes a deep dive into hundreds of Hollywood’s most iconic and beloved lines.

Columbia Hillen

Enter the elevator at the 4-star Views Baía hotel in Madeira’s capital, Funchal, ride it all the way to the rooftop and you’ve arrived at one of the city’s newest upscale restaurants, Desarma, opened just last year. 

My first impression as the doors slid open was of a spacious room with a big open kitchen where a team of chefs dressed in white coats and caramel-colored aprons were hard at work as if in a laboratory concocting new flavors, while outside, through floor-to-ceiling windows, the lights of Funchal twinkled in velvet darkness.

Columbia Hillen

The restaurant, designed by Atelier Nini Andrade Silva, is well lit without being overly so, meaning fixtures are set at such a level of brightness one feels in a relaxed, almost intimate, atmosphere.

Tables throughout the room are of various sizes, many for couples, after all it is an attractive romantic setting, but near my companion and I was a larger table for six people visiting the island to produce a culinary program for RTE, Ireland’s national broadcasting company.

Columbia Hillen

A sense of Madeira’s exotic nature is reflected in a giant decorative banana palm leaf and two formidable wood sculptures representing thick tree trunks.

Madeira-born host Alexandre Nuno Fernandes Franco guided us quickly across a mosaic and polished wood floor to our table and almost immediately his colleague, Sergio Marques, a sommelier from Venezuela, began explaining the comprehensive house wine list. Within five minutes of stepping out of the elevator, we were off to the finest of starts, glasses of cool Mailly Grand Cru champagne made from 100 percent Pinot Noir in hand.

Columbia Hillen

The culinary philosophy of local executive chef, Octávio Freitas, is reflected in the name of the restaurant, best described by him as ‘a battle of senses fought in the mouth’ beginning with an ‘encounter,’ followed by an ‘attack’ and ending with ‘surrender.’ In other words, be prepared to be disarmed. 

Together with his team, Octávio has created a well-balanced land and sea menu that pays homage to iconic island produce. To savor it fully, my companion and I opted for the tasting menu with wine pairings over the à la carte one, which combined molecular gastronomy and plating to evoke Madeira’s history and landscape, including its rocky beaches and famed Laurisilva forest. 

Columbia Hillen

Our first course, presented in a black ceramic bowl resembling delicately carved prehistoric pottery, was a creamy blend of sweet potato, truffles and dashi topped off with hay-like flakes of sweet potato.

Espetada de atum, or spit-grilled tuna followed on a flat bronze plate with bay leaf and roasted garlic cooked slowly over hot coals, the texture of the tuna as soft as tartare, melting cleanly in our mouths. Next up was a crumbly, cookie-like combo of dry limpets with aged beef tartare and mushroom gel shaped like a mini-burger.

Columbia Hillen

Fish lovers will be thrilled by the intense flavor that bursts forth from a bonbon-like capsule of roe of black scabbard with rye crumb and shavings of bottarga sprinkled over it, as indeed they will by grilled trout harvested from the coastal city of Seixal, the creature’s delicate flesh combined with eel pudding and smoked seaweed broth. And if that isn’t enough culinary innovation, there’s also red scarlet shrimp with passion fruit jelly and apricot emulsion.

As Funchal was named after the Portuguese word for fennel, which covered large stretches of the island when it was first discovered, it was not long before this licorice-tasting herb made its appearance, as a refreshing accompaniment to parrot fish.

Columbia Hillen

Chef Octávio’s respect for naturally-grown Madeiran produce (he grows organic vegetables and produces his own wine on his land) continued in my companion’s choice of dessert, reconstructed Madeira cake, a light pastry choux with a custard of island cane honey inside and dried fruit and nuts, all under a mini-mountain top of cacao nibbles. My choice comprised a combo of pineapple and banana slices swimming in cane honey, surprisingly spiced by a slight dose of pepper sauce.

Columbia Hillen

Wine pairings throughout the evening served by sommelier Joao Barbosa provided excellent complement, including an intense white from Alentejo aged in clay. But it was the Madeiran Barbeito that captured our attention most, made from tinta negra grapes, dark in color with aromas of toffee, coffee, molasses, chocolate and jam and a full, soft body.

Columbia Hillen

With Madeira having such wonderful weather most of the year, guests at Disarma also have the choice of eating alfresco, on a cosy terrace, perfect for balmy island evenings. In addition, twelve counter seats around the open kitchen offer a Chef’s Table experience.

Luxury Lifestyle Awards, the global authority on luxury and excellence, proudly announces the release of its highly anticipated Winners Guides 2023. These meticulously curated guides showcase the best of the best in the realms of Real Estate, Hospitality & Lifestyle, and Sustainability.

Real Estate Guide:

Step into the extraordinary world of architectural marvels and groundbreaking designs with the Luxury Lifestyle Awards Real Estate Guide 2023. Within this edition, we have meticulously curated a collection of the most extraordinary leaders in the real estate, architecture, and design industries. As you peruse the pages of the guide, you will bear witness to the invaluable contributions and groundbreaking achievements of these exceptional companies.

From grand architectural marvels to intricate interior design details, each page offers a glimpse into the extraordinary minds that have shaped the world of luxury real estate. Discover visionary architects, interior designers, developers, and real estate brokers who have raised the bar and redefined what is possible in their respective fields.

The Luxury Lifestyle Awards Guide celebrates the power of creativity and innovation. It stands as a testament to the indomitable spirit of those who dare to dream and transform the way we live, work, and experience our surroundings.

Hospitality Guide:

Embark on a captivating journey through unparalleled luxury experiences with the Luxury Lifestyle Awards Hospitality & Lifestyle Guide 2023. As you peruse this refined guide, you will discover a curated collection of visionary leaders who have redefined the very essence of luxury in the hospitality and lifestyle sectors. From exquisite resorts and hotels to world-class dining establishments, from avant-garde fashion and beauty brands to innovative wellness and eco-conscious offerings, each page unveils the transformative power of unparalleled excellence.

Join us on this extraordinary journey as we honor the visionaries who have embraced the essence of luxury, enriching our lives with exceptional experiences that evoke joy, wonder, and pure delight. Embrace the allure of indulgence, be inspired by their passion for perfection, and allow us to guide you through the extraordinary world of hospitality and luxury lifestyle, where excellence knows no bounds.

Sustainability Awards Guide:

Luxury Lifestyle Awards is proud to present a special edition featuring the esteemed International Sustainable Awards 2023 winners. This guide is a testament to the commitment of those who prioritize the planet and its people.

The International Sustainable Awards stand as a symbol of trust and recognition for those who have seamlessly integrated sustainable practices into their operations, thereby positively impacting nature and society. It is a celebration of those who understand the importance of our collective future and actively work towards it.

The recipients of the International Sustainable Awards have distinguished themselves by incorporating sustainability into the core of their activities. These awards recognize individuals, companies, corporations, and programs that are dedicated to environmental sustainability and who have made it an integral part of their business model. By doing so, they not only contribute to a healthier planet but also inspire other entrepreneurs and businesses to follow suit.

Luxury Lifestyle Awards invites you to embrace the allure of exceptional craftsmanship, indulge in the finest experiences, and join us in celebrating the visionaries who have redefined luxury in their respective fields. The Winners Guides stand as an essential guide for everyone passionate about luxury, seeking the epitome of the best things in life.

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Real Estate Guide: LINK

Hospitality Guide: LINK

Sustainability Awards Guide: LINK

Images courtesy of Audi

From JustLuxe Content Partner MensGear

If somebody told you that a station wagon can be modified into a serious racing platform, would you believe them?

These days, there are plenty of aftermarket shops that can handle these types of tasks. Occasionally, some marques produce official race-ready builds, but in extremely limited numbers. If you’re interested in acquiring one, Audi is offering RS 6 Avant GT.

Among German car companies, Mercedes-Benz and BMW are the most prominent names in the motorsport scene.

Their AMG and M racing divisions are responsible for a steady release schedule of high-performance trim packages for existing models. The release of the RS 6 Avant GT is a reminder that there’s another serious contender to consider.

This four-door family car has been upgraded with all the bells and whistles an adrenaline junkie could ever want. As we stated before, this special edition is limited to 660 examples globally.

You can bet all units will be spoken in a short period, so interested buyers shouldn’t dally. Deliveries are slated for the second half of this year.

It’s outfitted with a twin-turbo V8 mill tuned to produce over 600 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque.

Audi points out that the RS 6 Avant GT can complete a zero to 62-mph sprint in 3.3 seconds. Furthermore, testing shows a top speed of 190 mph, an impressive achievement given the donor vehicle was originally meant for casual drives. 

Audi tells us the RS 6 Avant GT was a project inspired by its 1989 Quattro IMSA GTO racer and 2020 RS 6 GTO concept. Other tweaks indicated include side skirt inserts, carbon fiber components, integrated air outlets behind its 22″ six-spoke wheels, and an exclusive paint job. Estimated pricing should be around $236,000.

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More From MensGear:

BelleGlos

Not too many years ago, our interests in wine dealt usually with preference – if we liked white or rose wine, we just liked it, the same with red.  It was not difficult, and we never had to justify preference – it was mostly associated with taste and look. We do not remember any philosophical associations – we did not relate taste to anything other than mouth preference and finish.  But now? We have come a long way in a short time. 

Recently, we received three bottles of wine that were quite unique. We decided to share them with our Saturday neighborhood group – all of whom were academic professionals. We thought the neighbors would have a very different take, maybe taste also, as to the nuanced tastes of these three wines, all from the Copper Cane Vineyards, came from central California to the upper western coasts of Oregon.

Elouan

The first was Elouan Chardonnay, a pale light-yellow wine, whose tastes were, to us, very different from other high-end Chards. Instead of a clover honey, pineapple/Asian Pear taste, a moderately strong mineral-y sub-taste was the first to attack our tongues, then our frontal lobes, and probably our hippocampus also. Our taste memory was immediately re-focused on where we tasted this before and what it was called — we remembered: it was called Schist, and it was from wines in the Alto Douro in Portugal. These wines were not of the Vinho Verde Portuguese Wine Estate varietals, but of wines from a higher altitude, in the Tarouca area. Like those, this Elouan 2021 was slightly tart, but had a lightness and a wildness, reminiscent of newly picked Winesap apples, with some slight hint of ripe Bosc Pear. It was unique. When we asked about its terroir, assuming it was different from others, it was —from the upper western coastal areas of Oregon, not from Napa or Sonoma, or the central semi-coastal areas in California, often over the first set of hills.  In a sense as regards Elouan, we could almost taste the Oregon coast, from which the lively Chard grapes were born and raised. There was also a degree of poetry to this Chard that made it different from others we had tried. It was enhanced by a comment made by one of our neighbors, a Ph.D Entomologist, who tasted it and said it had a certain acidity, very slight, and all he could think of was the sweet, though slightly acid taste of insect wings. We looked at him in surprise, where he then commented, “They taste good!”  

Susan Kime

Our next sample was a beautifully bottled, red wax-topped Pinot Noir called Belle Glos. The grapes are grown in the Clark & Telephone Vineyard, located near the corner of Clark Avenue and Telephone Road in the Santa Maria Valley. It is an unusual area, cooled by ocean wind and fog that moves along a channel of the Santa Maria River. The terroir is of the Santa Maria Valley, in central California.  Interestingly, the vineyard was once a dairy farm, no doubt well-fertilized but not too much–- thus making it a prime area for Pinot Noir grapes. The story of Pinot Noirs came from our experience in New Zealand, along the Otago Wine Road, where great Pinots are born.  This Belle Glos was as exceptional as any New Zealand Pinot. We could taste what we usually did in Pinots: red and black currant, chokecherry, and blueberry, but there were hints of cold cranberry also.  We were then told that these Pinot grapes were de-stemmed, not crushed, and the skins cold-soaked for two weeks before the extraction. 

All our group liked this wine, and especially liked the red wax top wine presentation. They also tasted differences that we were not able to. The Ph.D Virologist thought he could taste the tart oakiness of the barrel, and the combined, decisive, identifiable black currant and black raspberry tastes. The group also felt they could taste the fruity skins, but we said that was highly improbable, though very poetic.

Susan Kime

We rounded out the evening with a red varietal from Threadcount from the Napa Valley Quilt Vineyard. In a few years, this wine became well-known, well-respected and is now considered a luxury wine, even though it has been in existence a short time. This varietal is an exceptional wine. Not exactly a Pinot, or a Cab, it has its own identity – deep crimson, yes, but with an identifiable darker fruit mouthfeel -– combining, to us, Mission Fig, boysenberry, and ripe elderberry. Though it was a red wine, with a tangy finish, it was memorable due to its combined flavors. Its terroirs are either in Sonoma County, or in Lodi, in the northern part of California’s Central Valley area. Lodi’s wine-growing regions thrive in warm days, cool breezes, and low humidity.  Lodi’s land for winegrowing combines sandy loam and granite-based soils, defining a unique terroir for the growth of more than 100 grape varietals in the region.

Our neighborhood group began to discuss the dominant taste of the Threadcount wine.  The Environmental Arborist was sure he tasted that ripe elderberry domination, but the Entomologist was sure that purple raspberry was dominant.  The one thing they all agreed on, thankfully, was how well-balanced they all were. Each wine was borne of a different terroir, Elouan Chard was from the western coasts of Oregon, Belle Glos Pinot was from the Santa Maria River valley area in central California, and Threadcount’s was from both Lodi and Sonoma. Yet, each had different soil tastes, borne of different moisture levels, different farming techniques and different fertilization. Who or what was farmed or left fallow before also had a substantial influence on what grows, blooms, and is finally bottled.

In terms of the wines produced at Copper Cane Vineyards, our educations were enhanced by learning about the various terroirs of these areas– how the soils and climates help define the unique natures of the Copper Cane Vineyard wine identities. 

SUSAN KIME

Belle Glos Pinot Noir