Wine Is: Elemento Indigeno's Catalogue of Characterful Wines from Across the Globe

Posted by Rowena Dumlao Rowena Dumlao - Giardina 11/01/2024

Wine Is: Elemento Indigeno's Catalogue of Characterful Wines from Across the Globe

On October 28, 2024, Elemento Indigeno unveiled its Wine is catalog at Rome’s Mantis, the new bar à vin by Marco Martini, in an event that redefined the wine experience for Romans. Organized by Compagnia dei Caraibi, the evening featured eleven distinctive wines from the catalog, each with its own story, crafted by innovative winemakers from around the world. The presence of the winemakers themselves encouraged lively dialogue, offering guests the opportunity to explore these unconventional wines firsthand. This tasting event provided an engaging introduction to Wine is, inviting attendees to discover the diverse and creative world of Elemento Indigeno.

Elemento Indigeno: A Compagnia dei Caraibi Project

Elemento Indigeno, a project by Compagnia dei Caraibi launched in December 2020, focuses on exploring the diverse terroirs and cultural practices that shape global winemaking. Featuring wines from approximately 29 countries, the catalog offers a broad range of flavors and experiences, including selections from less conventional and emerging wine countries like Japan, Lebanon, Peru, Armenia, and Georgia, which add an intriguing spark.

Each wine in the catalog is presented as an authentic reflection of its origin, carrying the stories, traditions, and techniques of its producers. By sourcing wines from both familiar and unexpected regions, Elemento Indigeno highlights the natural and cultural elements in fermentation, showcasing how nature, tradition, and artisanal skill contribute to each bottle’s character. This project fosters cross-cultural connections and invites new perspectives on winemaking by celebrating the “indigenous elements” within each wine.

Wine Is: The New Elemento Indigeno Catalogue

WINE IS by Elemento Indigeno offers a curated selection of unique, boundary-pushing wines that explore diversity in flavor and culture. This catalog, launched in May 2024 in Milan, highlights the stories, traditions, and perspectives of 75 producers from 29 countries, with over 360 selections organized into 8 macrocategories and 6 thematic sections. By focusing on the individuality of each wine rather than traditional associations with producers or regions, WINE IS encourages a fresh look at wine through a lens of cultural richness and innovative winemaking.

Wine is a Rockstar: Celebrates winemakers who are the full visionaries behind their labels, creating bold, unconventional wines that challenge norms and reshape the wine world with revolutionary expressions.
Wine is Roots: Showcases producers from historically rich wine regions who honor tradition, focusing on native grape varieties and prestigious denominations that bring authenticity and heritage to each bottle.
Wine is Contaminations: Explores a fusion of cultures and flavors, featuring wines made not only from grapes but also other fruits, like apples, to expand and diversify wine traditions with new sensory experiences.
Wine is a Rematch: Highlights winemakers who overcame early setbacks to push beyond boundaries, crafting independent wines that defy conventions and bring fresh perspectives to the industry.

Wine is a Guardian: Groups producers dedicated to preserving indigenous grape varieties, upholding wine heritage and historical traditions with a focus on cultural continuity and authenticity.
Wine is a Backpacker: Combines the stories of young winemakers who return home after international journeys, bringing fresh knowledge and cultural insights to create innovative, globally inspired wines.
Wine is Conviviality: Focused on easy-drinking, sociable wines that bring people together, creating a lively, enjoyable atmosphere for sharing and connecting.
Wine is Finished: Features wines nearing the end of their production, inviting wine lovers to savor the final bottles before these selections give way to new releases.

Compagnia dei Caraibi

Founded in Vidracco, Turin, in 2008, Compagnia dei Caraibi specializes in the import and distribution of premium spirits, wines, craft beers, and soft drinks from around the world, including rum, gin, vodka, whiskey, tequila, and champagne. With over 1,200 exclusive products, the company represents sought-after brands like Diplomático Rum, Plantation Rum, and Gin Mare. Compagnia dei Caraibi is also committed to social responsibility and environmental sustainability, earning B Corp® certification in September 2023 as part of a global effort to promote an inclusive and regenerative business model.