Interviews

The matching of Habanos with wines packs a fresher and gladder wallop, says sommelier Javier Gila, chairman of the Madrid Sommelier Association and juror of the Habanos-Rioja alliance.

The genuine alliance between Habanos and wines starts long before sitting at the table since both products are bound together for the passion and devotion of their makers. That’s Victor F. Pascual Artacho, Chairman of the Rioja Denomination of Origin Regulatory Council, in how own words.

A few days ago, the first stretch of the alliance between Habanos and Rioja denominations of origin was held in Spain. On its objectives and perspectives, we sat down with Don Jose Maria Lopez, Habanos S.A. Strategic Marketing Director.

The audience on their feet to greet him and welcome him, complete silence as the passionate and wise historian spoke, plus a standing ovation at the end…

Looking cool and easygoing, the celebrated Spanish chef showed up at the Intl. Conference Center. It’s his first time in Cuba and he’s come to dish out a very special plate for the dinner that celebrates the 520th anniversary of Europeans’ encounter with tobacco in Cuba.

With a 2011 fiscal year underscoring Habanos, S.A.’s increasing sales, let alone the upcoming launches and prospects of keeping up the positive performance, 2012 is expected to be the company’s third year in a row with growing numbers on the board.

The celebrated lute player, recognized worldwide for his work with Sting on the CD/DVD The Journey & The Labyrinththat sold over 3 million copies in just three months, is no doubt one of the boldface names attending the 13^th Habano Festival

Mr. Chase has been visiting Cuba for many years, lured above all by its famous habanos. However, this man’s most vital sign is his conduction of the closing-day auction at every year’s festival. And this time around he’s definitely going to be there with the gavel in his hand.

Miguel Puldon is no doubt a diehard chronicler of the habano festivals. Through the lens of his photographic camera, he takes shots of boldface names attending the gathering or many of the highlights within the shows.

Así se tituló el concierto de apertura del XIII Festival del Habano, noche inaugural de lujo para deleitarse con las creaciones del relevante músico y sus reconocidos invitados. A propósito del acontecimiento, esta entrevista exclusiva.