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Tour gives visitors taste of American wine industry
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Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem.French Rotarian Group Study Exchange team leader Jean-Alain Vintousky (left) with Beatrice Dubois, Nicolas Buatois, Marianne Cacheux and Stephanie Mosnier participate in a meet and greet April 14. All members are from France and in the profession of wine making.
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Neighbors | Submitted.Nicolas Buatois, Stephanie Futaully, Beatrice Dubois, Jean Alian Vintousky, and Marianne Cacheux begin their presentation to the combined Rotary Clubs and public gathered to greet the wine experts from France on April 17. The event "An American Wine and Food Pairing Experience" was held at the Youngstown Country Club.
By SHAIYLA HAKEEM
American and French natives have been given the opportunity to learn about one another’s culture and wine making process.
Rotary District 6650 is hosting an in-state visit for its Group Study Exchange (GSE) team from France. Four France natives have traveled to the States to learn about the American wine making industry. They were welcomed by Rotarians at a meet-and-greet April 14 at L’uva Bella Winery in Lowellville.
The Rotary tour is used as means to encourage international understanding and to promote goodwill through face-to-face interactions. The GSE program is in place for young professionals to share cultural customs, lifestyles and personal knowledge of the industry.
Rotarian team leader Jean-Alain Vintousky will travel throughout Ohio with his team for 28 days. All team members are from the Burgundy wine region of France. Vintousky says the program is great for networking and increasing overall knowledge through cultural exchange.
“The program is for people to meet other people of the same profession and exchange with them,” he said. “It includes friendship, peace between the people, professional, cultural and personal knowledge.”
GSE teams are comprised of four young professionals, 25 to 40 years old, and a Rotarian team leader from each country. The Rotary International program sponsors GSE team tours each year on varying professions.
French Rotary team member Beatrice Dubois says this is her first time in America. She is excited about the days to come.
“I want to see the cultural difference compared to where we are from,” she said. “How they make the wine, how the wine is thought of in the community and to understand how America is, I think it’s different.”
Americans were also sent to France to learn about its wine industry and how they make their wine. Joseph Hollabaugh of L’uva Bella Winery, Andy Troutman of Wolf Creek Winery, Jessica Yoho of Fisher Foods and Kristopher Sperry of Myrddin Winery were all sent to France as a part of the American GSE team.
A Rotarian event titled, “An American Wine and Food Pairing Experience” took place April 17 at the Youngstown Country Club. GSE team members, American and French, met with Rotarians from Austintown, Boardman, Canfield, Columbiana, East Palestine, Girard, Liberty, Hubbard, Poland, Struthers and Youngstown.
The French Rotarian GSE team will be visiting in America through May 7.