From one continent to another, we fly back to Angola. As always, backed up by my friend in Angola, Arnaldo “Don Kimani” introduces us to Ricardo Guerra and his spirit born from a family tradition of wine production.
First of all, tell us who you are and what’s your job.
Riccardo Guerra at the distillery
My name is Ricardo Guerra, I studied Oenology at UTAD Portugal, I have dealt with the beverage sector since I first met me, from my maternal grandfather I inherited the taste and admiration of being a producer (Wine Douro Valley) from my paternal grandfather (Angolan) love for Angola . Because of these I have in my hands my life project “Caxaramba” made like a rum and aged like a port wine, this sugar cane brandy is a distillate with great aging capacity and a very versatile drink to support bartenders and creation of cocktails. The great objective is to internationalize and show the sector the immense quality that sugar cane has in Angola and to lead what nature gives us to an oak barrel to age and then reach the consumer to be appreciated in the world.
Caxaramba
Coming to the COVID-19 crisis, how did you react humanly, psychologically at the spread of the virus and the consequent lockdown?
With care and apprehension, of having to stop the activity and the jobs.
We looked at the good examples (Bacardi) together with the laboratory at Piaget de Benguela University, we created an alcohol gel made in our distillery with alcohol and aloe.
Could you describe how is the bar scene of your country changed after the COVID-19 crisis?
Everything stopped people had to reinvent themselves, the concept of home delivery and online was explored in the more formal market. In the informal market with great disinformation and the inability to fight the pandemic, little has changed.
In your opinion, how will it change in the future?
Firstly, a vaccine will must appear quickly, then learn to live with this disease and with the care it requires.
The African is used more than a European to live in periods of confinement, the African is used to living with diseases that are supposed to no longer kill like AIDS and malaria, with evils such as hunger and Wars. Covid 19 is another disease that the African with legitimacy will look at with suspicion but that will certainly fight with all the courage and determination that is known to him.
Riccardo Guerra
Could you suggest five bars in your country?
Luanda – Club s and Spot Bairro
Benguela- Benamor
Lobito- Luna and Batuk
Bartender – Piero Bertassoni
