Day 1 at the World Wine Symposium I’m already in love. Admittedly, I have only just put my foot through the door, but already there is a warm welcome from the staff at Villa D’Este, undoubtedly one of the most awe inspiring hotels I have ever visited.

It’s not just the epic grandeur and lakeside position of the hotel but also the level of service that makes it so special. I’m not used to my luggage disappearing so fast only to reappear in the room. At the last place I stayed in, an airport hotel in London, I received a frosty welcome worthy of a Siberian massage parlour. The receptionist looked so annoyed that I’d turned up with a reservation! I have been invited to the World Wine Symposium, a now annual event that was started last year in a bid to bring producers, journalists and importers together to discuss the future of the wine industry. It’s my first time working with the producer of Celebrity Wine Review TV, so we will be on the prowl looking for some good inside stories and famous names in the wine world to interview. François Mauss, founder of the Grand Jury Européen and the Symposium opens the conference with a bang. “We must remember that wine is much more than just alcohol. That is just one component of a complex and ancient culture. Today, governments are very keen to crack down on excessive drinking and wine consumption, unfortunately, is in danger of becoming demonised”, he stresses You have to admire Mauss, who started the Grand Jury Européen in an effort to provide an alternative to the Parker score monopoly, for his conviction and determination to protect his beloved industry. Winemakers are generally intense, passionate people who love their subject. But, they know how to have fun too, which keeps the conference interesting! I meet up with the producer of Celebrity Wine Review TV at lunch time and after the first of many stunning meals, we take a boat trip out towards George Clooney’s house in Lake Como. It’s a clear, but cold October day, which only adds to the profound beauty of Lake Como. We had two choices of boat driver. The experienced sailor or the beautiful Antonella, head of marketing for Villa D’Este. We choose the latter. My pidgin Italian with a strong English accent brings a smile to her face, as Antonella explains the history of the hotel. We decide not to risk just turning up at George's without an invitation, as he may have guard dogs. I have already had one encounter with a vicious Yorkshire terrier this year. Back at the hotel, most of the guests have arrived by now, a mixture of winemakers, wine lovers and anyone who has a stake in this valuable industry. As Francois says, “the Wine Industry is vital for the European economy”. Plus it gives pleasure to millions. The producer and I miss the Bordeaux First Growth and Romanée-Conti tastings, but a generous doctor from Malaysia shares his glass of 1990 La Tâche with me. It is my first sip of this infamous wine and I am taken aback. Not by the power but by the intoxicating nose and finesse of the wine, it has reserves of flavour beyond imagination. Well worth the hype. Ok, back to work. I chat with the producer and we line up some cool and interesting people to interview tomorrow.  Earlier today, I met a lovely German couple who have the rarest grape variety on earth in their estate in Tuscany, Caberlot. There are only 2 hectares of this variety in the world, a genetic cross between Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Bettina, the winery owner, explains that the varietal was first identified in the early 1960´s in an old abandoned vineyard near Padua. Her husband, Woolf Rogosky, acquired and named the varietal `Caberlot´, and set out to produce a great wine with a truly unique character. Definitely be interviewing them tomorrow. Time for dinner and the Wines of Austria presentation. Willie Klinger, a jolly Austrian, introduces each wine with our courses. The food, as expected, was excellent. The Sauvignon Blanc proved a hit with the producer of the show. I fall asleep wondering what day two will bring. [gallery link="file" columns="2"]