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maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 14 DECEMBER 2016 17 Events Champagne Bollinger expert delivers masterclass at Casa Ellul DOROTHÉE Bonnaire from the illustrious Champagne Bollinger recently visited our island to con- duct an exclusive masterclass. Farsons Beverage Imports Com- pany (FBIC) Limited teamed up with chic boutique hotel in Val- letta, Casa Ellul, to offer a mas- terclass that proved to be one of the highlights on this year's wine calendar. Ms Bonnaire explained that the underground world of the Bol- linger's cellars reveals the impor- tance of time at Bollinger's. After primary fermentation in small stainless steel tanks or wooden casks the wine is bottled in the spring and taken to rest in the per- vading silence of the chalk cellars where Special Cuvée champagne will remain for at least three years and vintage cuvées for much long- er. It is this long period of rest that develops the extraordinarily deli- cate aromas of the wine and gives the bubbles their smooth texture. Bollinger's pursuit of excellence does not stop with the winemak- ing process as riddling and dis- gorging of all vintage wines, with their natural cork stoppers, is still carried out by hand. Bollinger is uncompromising in its choice to allow bottles to rest for three months after disgorging to give the wine all the time it needs to stabilize. Bollinger does not seek to pro- duce vintage cuvées at all costs. This is only done when a grape harvest turns out to be absolutely exceptional: grapes must be per- fectly ripe and they must present an ideal balance between sugar and acids. Bollinger's uncompromising commitment to according vin- tage status to only the very best of years has given rise to the name of this outstanding cuvée. La Grande Année and La Grande Année Rosé, Bollinger's prestige cuvées, are cogent demonstrations of a vintage year's extraordinary quali- ties. Vinified exclusively in casks, they illustrate Bollinger's inter- pretation of a grape harvest. The outstanding Bollinger R.D. cuvée takes these vintages to an even higher level with a remarkably long period of aging on lees. This is a champagne that truly demon- strates the advantages of the pass- ing years. During the masterclass, Ms Bon- naire presented Bollinger's Special Cuvée, Grand Année 2005, Rosé, Grand Année Rose 2005 and capped off the evening with the exceptional R.D. 2002. Casa Ellul's chef expertly paired a selection of signature dishes which included 'Jerusalem Artichoke and basil tart with smoked eel', 'Beef tartar with sardines on toast, mustard leaves' and 'Crushed egg with yuzu and cured salmon on rye bread'. Champagne Bollinger is im- ported, marketed and distributed by FBIC, member of the Farsons Group. At 74 months, Emirates fleet's average age is well below industry average AIRLINE operations constitute the main environmental impact of the Emirates Group, but the Dubai airline operates one of the youngest aircraft f leets in the in- dustry with an average age of just 74 months compared with the industry average of 140 months as of the end of the financial year. The airline, which has released its sixth annual environmental report, says a modern widebody f leet not only delivers environ- mental benefits with regards to lower engine and noise emissions but also helps offer customers a higher level of comfort. The report, audited by Pricewa- terhouseCoopers (PwC), presents environmental performance data and environmental sustainability initiatives from a range of Group activities covering airline opera- tions, cargo and ground handling businesses and other commercial activities on the ground such as engineering and catering. "As our business grows, we are ever conscious that we have a respon- sibility to the communities we serve around the world. Aviation and travel services as an industry can make a real contribution to- wards achieving the United Na- tions' Sustainable Development Goals," H.H Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Emirates chairman and CEO, said. One of the most significant de- velopments of the year was the installation of a 1MW array of solar photovoltaic panels at the state of the art Emirates Engine Maintenance Centre in partner- ship with Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA). The array is made up of 2,990 photo- voltaic panels which are expected to generate over 1,800 megawatt- hours of electricity every year, helping save around 800 tonnes in carbon dioxide emissions. Other energy efficiency ini- tiatives undertaken across the Emirates Group included the replacement of lights used for aircraft cabin maintenance with energy saving LED lights by Emirates Engineering and a comprehensive refurbishment of Emirates' London office with a focus on energy efficiency lead- ing to an overall reduction of 60% in electricity consumption. Dnata's cargo operations in Brisbane and Sydney achieved a reduction in power consumption through energy efficiency best practices and by upgrading their lighting systems. Emirates has also partnered with United for Wildlife to raise awareness about the devastat- ing effects that illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife products is having on the survival of some of the planet's most endangered animals. United for Wildlife is a global collaboration unifying the ef- forts of seven of the world's most inf luential conservation organi- sations and The Royal Founda- tion of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry. Emirates literally took the mes- sage against illegal wildlife trade to the world by installing spe- cial livery featuring endangered wildlife on four Airbus A380 aircraft as well as on a 1:3 scale model A380 installed on the roundabout at London Heathrow airport. Emirates operates daily sched- uled f lights between Malta and Dubai on a Boeing 777-300 air- craft. British American Tobacco Malta employees assist the homeless EMPLOYEES from British Ameri- can Tobacco Malta volunteered at Dar Leopoldo in Gzira, one of four homes operated by Fondazzjoni Suret il-Bniedem. Held under the theme of "Bringing value every day to society", company employees per- formed various renovation works, including the sealing of the home's roofs against rain water infiltration, painting to brighten the home in- terior, purchased new mattresses, bed linen and pillows, and produced Christmas logs for residents. The company covered both the expenses involved in this initiative as well as its employees' time. "Most homeless people in Malta are invisible to society," said the home coordinator Mr Andrew Cauchi. "Such persons could be- come homeless because of a person- al situation that leads to homeless- ness. Such circumstances include family rejection, poverty, separa- tion, sudden unemployment, resi- dence forfeiture, gambling, or even a death. Some have multiple prob- lems. "Restoring a homeless person's trust and confidence is neither easy nor immediate. Dar Leopoldo of- fers them an address they can start calling home until that person, step by step, is able to link up again with society. In this regard, Fondazzjoni Suret il-Bniedem is grateful for the support extended by British Ameri- can Tobacco Malta and its employ- ees as their initiative has significant- ly contributed towards the Home's maintenance programme." British American Tobacco Malta's Head of Trade, Mr Charles Saliba, said: "This is yet another CSR initia- tive, as we believe in bringing value to the community. In the last cou- ple of years, the company enhanced the area around Fort Rinella in Kalkara administered by Fondazz- joni Wirt Artna, collaborated with Ħad-Dingli Local Council in em- bellishing a comunity space, while in recognition of Fondazzjoni Suret il-Bniedem's great work, we are sup- porting Dar Leopoldo." British American Tobacco was formed in 1902 as a joint venture between the UK's Imperial Tobacco Company and the American To- bacco Company, founded by James 'Buck' Duke. In 1907, the company set up a sales depot in Malta. In the mid-1950s, Rothmans set up a fac- tory in Malta operating under the name of Carreras. In 1972, British American Tobacco and Rothmans established a factory operating un- der the name of Central Cigarette Company Limited (CCCL). In 1999, British American Tobacco and Rothmans merged globally ensur- ing a smooth transition of CCCL into the British American Tobacco Group. Following Malta's entry into the EU, British American Tobacco Malta refocused as a trade market- ing organisation. Corinthia Palace's New Year's Eve spectacular returns LOVE wins at the Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa this New Year's Eve as it embraces the unabashed glam- our of 'Bella Italia' in the 1950s! Following last year's sell-out suc- cess, That's Amore! promises to see in the New Year like no other event on the island. Held in the glorious Villa Corinthia, guests will be dazzled by live entertain- ment and a seven-course feast inspired by the magic of Italy's inimitable cuisine, as well as free flowing champagne, wines, spir- its and minerals throughout the evening. So, for something truly decadent why not choose That's Amore! for your New Year's Eve celebration? It's proof that love really will win in 2017! For further information please email events.palace@corinthia. com or call 2144 0301.