Puerto Escondido in the Mexican state of Oaxaca is a center of attraction for sun and sea lovers from all over the world. In particular, the beaches around La Punta Zicatela are a paradise for surfers; the year-round summer temperatures due to the geographical location on the southern Pacific coast of Mexico ensure a constant influx of tourists. The need for new hotels near the beach is therefore not surprising.

The word “nagomi” sounds mysterious and promising: is it the name of a Central African desert? Are the Nagomi an indigenous Amazonian tribe? Or is it the name of a newly opened celebrity restaurant in Kensington? None of these things are nagomi – or maybe somehow they are, as the three melodious syllables represent the Japanese art of achieving harmony and balance in life by incorporating opposites and conflict…

Right on the slopes of Mount Etna, the largest volcano in Europe, you’ll find the historic estate of Monaci delle Terre Nere and its own vineyards. Full of extraordinary charm and natural beauty, this spot was originally chosen by the monks of St Anne’s order in the 17th century. Terraces were built for the cultivation of vines given the area’s propensity for wine, which today is part of the Etna DOC area. We met with Marco Torrisi, Monaci’s very own sommelier, to ask him three very important questions about wine…