Fantinel appointed UN goodwill ambassador

The head of a Friuli-based wine group has been appointed as a goodwill ambassador of a UN organisation determined to tackle malnutrition in third-world countries.

Marco Fantinel was one of three ambassadors chosen to represent IIMSAM (Intergovernmental Institution for the use of Micro-algae Spirulina Against Malnutrition). The list of IIMSAM ambassadors includes former sports stars Diego Maradona and Monica Seles.

The IIMSAM project, which will begin this year, aims to sustain production of a micro-algae, Spirulina, which fights the effects of malnutrition which often affects children in the third world.

Fantinel has produced a new wine, Celebrate Life Merlot, and will donate $1 to IIMSAM for every bottle sold.

He said, ‘I am very flattered that IIMSAM has chosen me as ambassador for Italy. Hunger is still the prime cause of death in the third world and IIMSAM is studying a concrete answer to this curse.

‘It will be my duty to spread awareness of the organisation and its activities in Italy and in the countries where our company operates.’

During Fantinel’s induction ceremony, guests were served two Fantinel wines: the Tocai Collio, and the Refosco Friuli Grave.

Written by Stuart Peskett