Robin Lee appraises the latest vintage from Ornellaia, and its special-edition label by Italian multidisciplinary artist, Marinella Senatore.
A not uncommon phenomenon is when two people, most often two women, pretend they are best friends because it is useful or necessary, even though they really dislike each other intensely and are in fact deadly enemies and rivals. This kind of friend is known as a frenemy. Are Wine and Art a good example of frenemies? You see them all the time hanging out together, but are they really friends?
At most art openings there is usually wine, Champagne, or at least warm Prosecco, so I was very surprised and intrigued that at this year’s Venice Biennale, at the best-attended, most chic opening—that of Casper Williams at Palazzo Soranzo Capello—only water was on offer for the guests. The Vendemmia d’Artista series from Ornellaia has been going now since 2006, but if wine is now off the menu at the Venice Biennale, one must wonder: Has Art already dumped Wine as a friend and Wine just doesn’t know it yet?
Inspired by natural elements
Last year, the 2020 edition of Vendemmia d’Artista had a label designed by Joseph Kosuth (see WFW 80, 2023, p.94), and although the remarkable artwork that Kosuth produced was even more valuable than the wine inside the bottle, it does not seem to have made much of an impression on the art world. According to Sotheby’s, the Salmanazar sold for £27,500, including the commission—well beneath the pre-sale estimate
This Article was originally published on World of Fine Wine
