Reporting by Leah
Giorgio Gucci and Emperor’s Brand held the Giorgio Gucci Charity Gala on September 29, 2010, from 6pm to 10pm, at the Pierre Hotel in New York City. The launch of Giorgio G collectable cognacs and tastings of these delicious cognacs took place during this sold out Gala with 400 attendees.
Emperor’s Brand presented the premium “Giorgio G’ Spirits Collection to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the “Giorgio G” brand, created by one of the world’s leading fashion designers, Giorgio Gucci. Giorgio Gucci spoke during the Gala and before the live auction to raise money for the charities involved with this Gala.
The fashion and entertainment worlds came together to honor this legend. An eclectic crowd attended this night of Italian glamour which presented an opportunity to meet the man who helped create the fashion world. Numerous charities participated in this black tie optional Gala.
The tone of the night “Italian Glamour” was set upon entering the Pierre Hotel and included a gourmet buffet dinner, tastings of exceptionally rare 50 year old Giorgio G cognacs, top shelf bar featuring Emperor’s Brand Vodka, champagne and Italian wines, a silent auction with over two million dollars in fine jewelry and artwork, and gift bags. VIP tickets cost $500 per person and had access to a private after party, and general admission tickets were $350 per person.
Giorgio Gucci saluted 25 charities and was given an Entrepreneurship Award by Emperors Brand. The evening celebrated the launch of Mr. Guccis Giorgio G limited line of premium 35, 50 and 50 plus year old cognacs. Guests included Emperor’s Brand Founders Zina Mashin, Andre De Vickont, Diandra Douglas, Campion and Tatiana Platt, Sharon and Lauren Bush, Tracy Stern, Emma Snowdon-Jones, Darren Wan, Cassandra Seidenfeld, Michele Gerber Klein, Christine Schott and Liliana Cavendish. The Real Housewives of New Jersey stars Jacqueline Laurita, Dina and Caroline Manzo, and Danielle Staub, and The Real Housewives of New York City stars Ramona Singer, Kelly Killoren-Bensimon, Sonja Morgan, Alex McCord and new castmate Cindy Barshop were also on hand while the cameras rolled on the new season of the hit Bravo show. Singers Antonella Barba and Kat Deluna enjoyed the opera performance by Cristina Fontanelli and designers Maggie Norris, Loris Diran and Joanna Mastroianni admired the Marie Antoinette costumes worn by the Giorgio G models.
This was Giorgio Guccis first visit to New York City in over 20 years, following his forum on Capital Hill where he spoke out against black market and counterfeit goods. Giorgio Gucci is the grandson of Guccio, who founded the Gucci Italian leather goods fashion house in 1905. For more than five decades, Giorgio worked in the family business with his two brothers and his father Aldo to help the label become one of the most sought after brands in the world. After selling his interest in the company, Giorgio Gucci reengaged the world of fashion with his own line Giorgio G. Now after achieving international recognition for the Giorgio G label, Giorgio Gucci is reaching new heights by creating this extraordinary line of ultra-premium cognacs.
Emperors Brand chose this occasion to salute and raise awareness for 25 deserving charities including: Action Against Hunger; charity:water; Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder; The Childrens Scholarship Fund; The Couri Foundation; Elite Learning; Im Too Young For This! Cancer Foundation; Leukemia and Lymphoma Society; Museum of Chinese in America; Music Unites; Musicians On Call; New York-Presbyterian Hospital Pediatric Cleft and Craniofacial Surgery Program; North Shore Animal League; The Orthopaedic Foundation For Active Lifestyles; Panthera; The Philips Mentoring Foundation; Pope John Paul II Family Academy; The School For Compassionate Action; Susan G. Komen For The Cure; and Teddy Share Bears.
The Giorgio G Cognacs:
Giorgio G Cognac 100% Grande Champagne Premier Cru
Age: Cognac 50 years old.
Color: Shiny with coppery glints.
Smell: Crystallized dry fruit such as grape, notes of dry prune, apricot with smoked oak notes and light vanilla aroma. Jasmine and honeysuckle notes
Taste: Powerful and well-built, well balanced, slightly spicy bouquet with pepper notes, length in mouth, full-bodied.
Limited Edition
Giorgio G XO Cognac
Age: Over 35 years old and is a harmonious blend of more than seventy different eaux-de-vie from the area of Grande Champagne, selected for their softness. The aging process is made inside oak casks that enhance our cognac with subtle aromas.
Smell: The first wave of aromas and flavors offers a dense fruity overtone of orange and passion fruit. Its composed almond bouquet has floral overtones of wild rose, then, it evolves into more concentrated notes of chocolate and coffee.
Color: It has a deep mahogany color accented by brilliant glint of red flames.
Taste: The cognac is rich and concentrated, with superb balance dominated by butter vanilla and chocolate with some leather, humus and under wood notes. Powerful cognac with long structure, fruits and spices that makes a full bodied and refined cognac. It has excellent lingering qualities an the mouth for over twenty minutes after drinking.
Limited Edition
Giorgio G Cognac 100% Grande Champagne Premier Cru
Age: Cognac over 50 Years
Color: Gold color with shiny glints
Smell: Very elegant cognac, with notes of dry prune,elder, with light vanilla aroma. Jasmine and honeysuckle notes more present than in ref 6628
Taste: Very well balanced, soft,easy to swallow, well balanced, with nutmeg, vanilla and licorice notes, length in mouth, full-bodied.
Special Limited Edition
For more information about Giorgio Gucci, Emperors Brand, and the Giorgio Gala, please visit www.emperorauction.com.
(Source: Emperorsauction.com; R.Couri Hay Creative PR)
