Armenian Wine Producer wins 8 Medals!!!

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Storica Wines Wins Outstanding Eight Medals at TexSom 2022

Storica Wines, a Boston-based Armenian wine import, sales, and marketing company, has announced that its portfolio of fine wines from Armenia received a total of eight medals at this year's TexSom International Wine Awards.

Bringing together over 150 industry leaders to identify and champion beverages of quality and distinction from around the world, the 2022 TexSom Awards garnered over 2,000 entries representing 24 countries and 14 American states.

Wines were blind tasted by a panel of 40 judges made up of sommeliers, masters of wine, and wine directors from major chains and restaurant groups around the country.

Storica's portfolio claimed eight awards in total including: the Judges' Selection Medal for Van Ardi's Estate Red Blend 2019, which was awarded to 70 of the 2,036 wines submitted, along with Platinum Medals for Voskevaz's Areni Noir 2017 and Keush's Blanc de Noir 2017, which were awarded to an additional 70 of the 2,036 wines submitted.

Zack Armen, co-founder and President of Storica Wines reflected on the results; "Our portfolio's showing at TexSom 2022 is yet another proof point of the quality of wines coming from Armenia, and an exciting sign for what's to come in the future as these world-class winemakers continue to show, vintage after vintage, their ability to make beautiful, intriguing wines that speak to the American consumer palate."

The TexSom news comes as Storica continues to expand its geographic footprint around the country with a growing number of restaurant and retail shop placements in 22 different states. To find a store near you, visit the company's Store Locator, or purchase the wines to be shipped to your home. For more information, please visit https://www.storicawines.com/.

The full lineup of awards received includes Keush Ultra, Blanc de Noirs, 2017, Platinum Medal; Keush, Cuvée Couchanne, Brut Nature Rosé, 2018, Gold Medal; Keush Origins, Non-Vintage, Silver Medal; Van Ardi Estate Blend, 2019, Judges' Selection Medal; Van Ardi Areni Reserve, 2018, Silver Medal; Voskevaz Areni Noir 2017, Platinum Medal; Voskevaz Voskehat, 2017, Silver Medal; Voskevaz Haghtanak, 2017, Bronze Medal.

VILLA EMBRACE ST. BARTHS SET TO DEBUT AS WORLD'S MOST LUXURIOUS VILLA Villa Embrace, one of the most luxurious villas in the world, will open its doors in St. Barths this season. Embrace boasts a unique setting, carved into the mountainside, offering unmatched views and privacy while still within walking distance of Gustavia's shops and restaurants. Embrace pairs panoramic views of the sea and harbor with pampering accommodations, just a few minutes' walk from one of the island's most popular beaches. As one the largest villas on the island, the expansive four-level, contemporary architectural masterpiece is anchored in high design, art and unsurpassed service, crafting the ultimate travel experience.

Villa Embrace's five suites are individually designed to bring the outside in, surrounded by lush foliage while glass doors disappear into the walls looking over the sparkling Caribbean Sea. From their suites, guests have access to two infinity pools, one of which is amongst the largest on the island, reaching approximately 100 feet. Each suite offers a private furnished terrace with an outdoor rain shower, or outdoor Japanese soaking tub, along with a Hammam. Villa Embrace touts the island's only four-story glass elevator, which overlooks a private waterfall and living green wall, along with the one of the only private underground parking garages that can accommodate 10 vehicles. Villa Embrace is accessible via a private upper-level road that leads to the main entrance with outdoor parking.

Embrace features an array of shared spaces for guests to gather, dine or relax. On the main floor, the Great Room offers seating for 12 while overlooking the main infinity pool and harbor beyond. Guests can find a unique fireplace and elegant 14foot-long, professional bar. The adjacent Family Room is an enclosed space, furnished with a handmade silk rug and custom Italian sofas ideal for movie night or late-night conversation. Detailed with Vladmir Kagan armchairs, the Games Room is perfect for passing hours while exploring the 8-game custom leather table, designed by the owners of the villa and fabricated

by T.T.Trunks. Beautifully situated to enjoy water views while working out, a fully equipped gym highlights Technogym equipment. Dining options are abundant with indoor and outdoor kitchens along with a separate BBQ area with seating. Set on the top floor, a well-appointed office commands attention with custom furnishings including an impressive black nutwood and leather desk and private bar by Knoll. A private outdoor massage area guarantees prime relaxation with an outdoor shower and loungers for over all three levels.

This bold new property in St. Barths combines indulgent design with unsurpassed comfort. Guests of Villa Embrace have a round-the-clock in-house chef to prepare whatever they desire and translate every request into creative, beautifully presented dishes that pair perfectly with bottles from the extensive wine cellar. Food and beverages can be enjoyed alfresco or in the main dining area featuring Casa Fendi bar stools and a custom, nautical-inspired table from Italy's Barbarini & Gunnell. Private dining experiences can also be arranged, such as a picnic lunch or barbeque dinner on any of St. Barths' 20 white-sand beaches. Bookings are now available!

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VisitMalta.com Announces the Maltese Islands are welcoming EU tourists As more EU Citizens are becoming fully vaccinated against the Coronavirus, travel restrictions around Europe are beginning to ease. Malta is proud to be considered one of the safest summer destinations in Europe, having reached herd immunity (with over 80% of adults vaccinated) and hopes to safely welcome EU tourists this summer.

Several hotels in the Maltese Islands are offering financial incentives through the Free Independent Travelers (FIT) program. The financial incentive ranges from 100 to 200 euro per person and can be spent on services within the hotel property. The complete offering can be found under this link.

"All our decisions strive to find a balance and give priority to the health of Maltese citizens and the tourists who will come into our country," said tourism and consumer protection minister Clayton Bartolo in the latest press release.

Travel Advice Update (EU Countries) Mask wearing on beaches and pools is advised but no longer required, while a maximum of 2 people may remove their masks in outside public spaces if they have been vaccinated and they have an official vaccination certificate.

Beach Bars, Cafes, Restaurants and culture clubs are open and can host up to six people per table, discos and nightclubs are closed.

No quarantine or other restrictions apply for fully vaccinated tourists coming from the EU, while unvaccinated tourists from the same countries must go through a mandatory quarantine. For the latest updates be sure to check out the COVID-19 info page.

Why visit Malta?

Located about 50 miles south of Sicily, Malta is a small archipelago that boasts a Mediterranean climate with over 300 sunny days per year and a top-ranked healthcare system. It is the perfect location for tourism with a primarily Englishspeaking population, shown by its growing popularity year on year.

There are many stunning beaches to choose from, not only for swimming but also for water sports and diving, including the Blue Lagoon, Paradise Bay, and Golden Bay. Diving around the Maltese Islands is a real joy and there are several caves, wrecks, walls, and reefs to explore. Offering a wide choice of shore and boat dives at varying depths, there's something to suit divers of all abilities, such as swimming with large groupers, dentex and barracudas at Reqqa Reef in Gozo or exploring the fascinating cave systems at Santa Maria Caves in Comino.

UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade Promotes Trade Agenda during Florida Visit United Arab Emirates (UAE) Minister of State for Foreign Trade HE Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi recently concluded a successful two-day visit to Florida, which focused on expanding the bilateral UAE-US trade and commercial relationship.

His trip to the "Sunshine State" builds on recent economic development missions to the UAE by local South Florida officials.

Minister Al Zeyoudi met with Broward County Mayor Michael Udine, Ft. Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis, Miramar Mayor Wayne Messam, and Chairman of the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners Jose "Pepe" Diaz.

The leaders discussed ways to enhance collaboration between the UAE and Florida, with a focus on investment, tourism, city planning, and healthcare. These meetings follow a delegation in March by Florida mayors to Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai where they engaged with the UAE business community and attended closing events for Expo 2020 Dubai including visiting the US Pavilion.

"Florida is the commercial gateway to the Americas and the UAE sits at the crossroads of global trade and commerce. It makes perfect sense that the Emirates is developing close ties with this economically vibrant region," said UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade HE Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi. "The UAE was pleased to host multiple delegations of Florida mayors recently and we remain committed to expanding economic partnership opportunities here."

In Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Minister Zeyoudi attended high level business development and networking events and meetings hosted by the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council, The International Trade Consortium (ITC), Enterprise Florida, a public-private partnership promoting economic development in Florida, and eMerge Americas, an organizing focused on establishing Miami as the tech hub of the Americas.

In 2021, Florida exported over $1 billion of goods to the U.A.E., making it one of the top 10 states exporting to the Emirates. These exports supported an estimated 6,000 U.S. jobs. The U.A.E. also exported over $180 million of goods to Florida that same year.

During Miami Mayor Frances Suarez's visit to the UAE in March, he signed a sister city agreement alongside HE Abdulla Al Basti, Secretary-General of The Executive Council of Dubai, deepening ties between the cities of Dubai and Miami.

Crown Prince of Dubai H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum attended that signing ceremony.

In July 2021, Emirates Airline began its first-ever passenger service between Dubai and Miami, opening new business and leisure opportunities between the U.A.E. and South Florida. Emirates has also been flying to Orlando since 2015, and it previously serviced South Florida through Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport from 2016 through 2020.

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