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Vinitaly International Academy USA announces three new Italian Wine Ambassadors in the USA

October 13, 2021 by evebushman

VERONA, ITALY (PRWEB) – On September 15th VIA certified three (3) new Italian Wine Ambassadors. Those newly appointed to join this passionate community are Limor Fikel, Michael Wyant and Enoch Ling. To date, there are now 90 certified Italian Wine Ambassadors and 3 Italian Wine Experts based in USA.

Limor Finkel, a Northern California Sales Manager based in Mill Valley commented, “I’m honored to be a part of the VIA community alongside a group of people so deeply committed to Italian wine, history, and culture. The VIA course was incredibly rigorous and I can’t wait to keep learning from my fellow Italian Wine Ambassadors—hopefully in person soon and on the ground in Italy, too!”

Based in Arlington, Michael Wyant is a Sommelier and Wine Educator with almost 10 years of experience in the wine industry. He also shares his comment, “I’m very excited to be a part of the VinItaly International Academy. The program itself was a deep dive into the world of Italian wine, history and culture with some impressive teachers. The fun part was getting to try hundreds of benchmark Italian wines made from native grape varieties, meeting the winemakers themselves and hearing their stories, and of course meeting fellow students and ambassadors from all over Europe, Asia and the Americas who share a passion for Italian wine.”

Enoch Ling is an Investment Analyst based in Hong Kong and a member of the Knights of Alba, which exposed him to the world of wine on the side of his main profession. He added, “The VIA program provides me with opportunities and resources to explore some hidden gems of Italian wines that can be rarely found in my market. I’m proud to be part of this professional and passionate community as IWA!”

Despite the increasing pandemic condition in the country, Vinitaly International Academy made it possible to hold its 20th edition on September 13th. The Certified Italian Wine Ambassador course was held in three different venues across the United States to join Faculty member Henry Davar IWE as he led the tasting sessions that would act as recap of the theory and preparation for the upcoming exam.

Whilst Davar led these sessions live in Boston, he was connected with other participants in Houston and Seattle via Zoom, and of course with the VIA team in Verona. More than 40 wines were sourced by the tasting centres to give students a broad tasting experience, a solid basis for their exam and of course to showcase as many Italian varieties, denominations and producers as possible in two days.

Due to the spread of students, venues in Boston (hosted by Gianluca Quieroli IWA), Houston (Giorgio Caflish IWA) and Seattle (Hayley Black IWE) were selected, and the coordination of materials, wines and session timings began. One of the biggest challenges was building wine lists with as many of the same wines being shown in each venue. As Davar commented, “It’s always worth reminding people that there is a large supporting cast back in Verona that make the Vinitaly International Academy go! Our team is composed of Italian wine lovers, many of whom are VIA certified Italian Wine Ambassadors as well. They truly understand Italian wine and they know how to source truly representative samples for our course. The wines we tasted this past week were especially notable and I think the students and staff at the three tasting centers all remarked about this.”

Fortunately, working with Ambassadors and Experts who are not only familiar with Italian wines, but also the VIA Program, allowed for more than 40 wines to be shown, and suitable wines selected for the blind tasting portion of the examination.

As this 20th Edition has demonstrated, building a strong community not only supports those within it, but also pays dividends in challenging times when it pulls together to aid the cause of Italian wine education. It is an asset not only to those joining the programme, but everyone involved, and VIA will continue to build editions that grow and support this community globally.

Filed Under: Guests Tagged With: american, asia, blind tasting, brand ambassador, California, europe, grape, hong kong, Italy, sommelier, tasting, texas, united states, variety, via, vinitaly, washington, wine education, winemaker

Fall In Love With Happy Hour At Eight Happy L.A. Hot Spots!

November 14, 2018 by evebushman

Bone Kettle:

Serving original Southeast Asian dishes in the heart of Old Town Pasadena, Bone Kettle, is the perfect place to take your taste buds on a culinary adventure while relaxing on a fall afternoon. Sip your way through the 5 o’clock hour by enjoying Craft Beers on Tap, House Wine, and Hot Sake all for just $7.00 each. Pair your beverage of choice with Executive Chef Erwin Tjahyadi’s mouthwatering Small Plates like the fresh Oysters with a seasonal mignonette and granité, or the Steak Tartare prepared with St. Helen’s Ranch hangar steak, chili vinaigrette, lemongrass and krupuk. For those looking to enjoy more than a snack, there are Chicken Wings made with fried citrus-brined Petaluma free-range chicken wings and charred lime; the Bone Marrow with scallion confit, toasted bread, mizuna, pears and apples, and Bone Kettle’s famous savory Oxtail Dumplings with seasonal mushrooms, leeks and San Bai Su. So, do not just choose one appetizer to enjoy, as Happy Hour at Bone Kettle will leave both your pocket book and your belly full all season long!

Bone Kettle offers Happy Hour every Monday through Sunday from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm; 67 North Raymond Avenue Pasadena, CA 91103; 626.795.5702; www.BoneKettle.com

Casita Del Campo:

For over 50 years, Casita Del Campo has been known as an exceptional Mexican restaurant in Silver Lake that serves up delicious dishes and drinks in a party atmosphere with two outdoor patios and a beautiful dining room. With a lively nightly Happy Hour, guests may enjoy a wide selection of margaritas including the Casita Classic prepared with tequila, fresh squeezed lime, Triple Sec; the Fruit Margaritas with selections such as Strawberry, Peach, Banana, Watermelon, Mango, Ginger, Pomegranate and Guava, as well as a Smoky Margarita made with Cazadores Reposado Tequila, mescal, Triple Sec and fresh squeezed lime. Bartenders also serve house-made Pina Coladas, Tequila Sunrises, Palomas and Mojitos. Appetizers include Quesadillas Con Rajas prepared with two corn tortillas with a combination of cheese and mild green chile strips; Casita’s Special includes six crispy mini tortillas topped with chicken, beef, beans, guacamole and sour cream, and the Sweet Corn Tamales include two delicately sweet tamales filled with raisins and jack cheese. Every day is a Fiesta at Casita Del Campo during Happy Hour!

Casita Del Campo offers Happy Hour every Monday through Sunday from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm; 1920 Hyperion Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027; 323.662.4255; www.CasitaDelCampo.net

CHAYA Modern Izakaya:

CHAYA Modern Izakaya offers the perfect respite to long days plugging away in Silicon Beach or just a fun day relaxing on Venice Beach with their great Happy Hour that is available “All Night Long!” You cannot start without a proper Happy Hour Cocktail like the Lychee Martini made with vodka, St. Germaine, lychee purée and lemon; the Last Mule made with bourbon, ginger, cassis and lime, or a Highball prepared with Suntory Toki Whisky and club soda for just $8.00 each. If cocktails are not your style, guests can also enjoy a Sapporo Beer on draft or House Wine for $5.00 each. With a beverage in hand, treat your palate to the Happy Hour Food and Sushi without ever having to worry about breaking the bank. Nigiri and Sashimi lovers can enjoy fresh Tuna, Hamachi, Eel, Salmon and other seafood selections from the Kaisen Bar, along with a daily selection of fresh Oysters. Sushi is also a must at CHAYA Modern Izakaya and guests will not be disappointed with rolls such as the Yuzu Spicy Tuna Roll; the Salmon California Roll with crab, avocado, and cucumber, and the American Wagyu Roll prepared with spicy shrimp, cucumber, and green onions. Guests can also spice up the evening with the Spicy Chicken Wings served with sambal chili; Beef Sliders with white cheddar and spicy aioli, or the Chicken Kara- age prepared with Jidori fried chicken and smoked soy. When Cocktails and Happy Hour Food are this good, every night feels like a Friday at CHAYA Modern Izakaya!

CHAYA Modern Izakaya offers Happy Hour every Sunday through Thursday from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm, and every Friday and Saturday from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm; 110 Navy Street, Venice, CA 90291; 310.396.1179; www.TheChaya.com

Church & State:

A long day at the office or an early evening out with friends calls for a fun and festive Happy Hour filled with cocktail specials and delectable dishes which can all found at Church & State in Downtown Los Angeles. Enjoy a daily selection of Executive Chef Tony Esnault’s $1 Oysters paired with lemon and mignonette; the Le Cachat, a lavender herbed goat cheese on crostini; the Foie de Volaille which is a chicken liver mousse on crostini, or the Deviled Eggs with paprika, lardon, and chives. For Cocktails, guests can enjoy the specialty Craft Cocktail prepared with gin, lemon, Pimm’s, Aperol and mint. At Church & State Happy Hour, guests can easily let the hectic day slip away as they sip and savor the DTLA night away!

Church & State offers Happy Hour every Tuesday through Sunday from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm; 1850 Industrial Street, Los Angeles, CA 90021; 213.405.1434; www.ChurchandStateBirstro.com

Lunetta All Day:

Spend the afternoon and early evening at Lunetta All Day in Santa Monica for a Happy Hour that is sure to end your day the perfect way! Whether with friends or wanting a place to unwind after the long workday, Lunetta All Day is here to greet and treat you with House-Inspired Libations ($8.00), Well Spirits ($7.00), Draft Beer ($6.00), delicious Wine By The Glass ($6.00 – $7.00), and special Bites from Proprietor & Chef Raphael Lunetta and Executive Chef Emilio Cuyuch. Sip a crisp glass of Vinho Verde paired with the Albacore Crudo with mashed avocado and Meyer lemon relish, or enjoy the Rock Shrimp Ceviche with fresh guacamole and house-made lime chips. For Beer enthusiasts, savor a large selection of Draft Beers that taste best when paired with the Chicken Wings with pineapple wing sauce and Cabra Verde, or indulge in the Wood-Fire Octopus Tacos prepared with white beans, fire-roasted peppers and charred tomatillo salsa. Regardless of how the day went, Happy Hour is always happy when lounging at Lunetta All Day!

Lunetta All Day offers Happy Hour every Monday through Friday from 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm; 2420 Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90405; 310.581.4201; www.LunettaSM.com

Preux & Proper:

Preux & Proper Photo Credit: Ziv Sade

Happy Hour at Preux & Proper is the perfect place to unwind after a long, laborious day or to gather with friends before heading out to explore a night in DTLA! Grab a seat in the Barroom and start with a classic Beer or House Wine special for $7.00, or branch our get really happy with one of the delicious Frozen Daiquiris or select House Cocktails for just $9.00. Specially priced Barroom Eats are also available for guests to enjoy including items like Executive Chef Sammy Monsour’s Baked Mac & Cheese prepared with orecchiette pasta, scallions, Turbodog ale and Cabot extra sharp cheddar; the Colorado Lamb Ribs made with Jamaican jerk rub, passionfruit-scotch bonnet barbeque and radish pickles, and Lowcountry Mussels served with house-andouille, sweet corn, shallots, butter, scallions, boil spice and crispy fingerling potatoes. On top of daily Happy Hour, guests can also enjoy $1 Oysters every Monday from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Preux & Proper’s tasty drinks, delicious dishes, hearty Happy Hour and genuine Southern Hospitality will quickly have you falling for Fall!

Preux & Proper offers Happy Hour every Monday through Saturday from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, and every Sunday from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm; 840 South Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90014; 213.896.0090; www.PreuxandProper.com

South City Fried Chicken:

Sometimes, all you need is a Fried Chicken Sandwich and a sweet treat to help wash away all the work day woes and Happy Hour at South City Fried Chicken offers you just that! After a long day, head to Corporation Food Hall in Downtown, Los Angeles to enjoy Happy Hour at South City Fried Chicken where every city-inspired Fried Chicken Sandwich is just $9.99 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Try the Greenville prepared with house-smoked chicken bacon, gruyère, Duke’s mayonnaise, shaved gem lettuce, heirloom tomato and bo spice, or the Birmingham made with Tillamook cheddar, Alabama white barbeque sauce, hickory-smoked red onions and chimichurri. For those who enjoy some heat, spice things up with the unique Miami made with jerk spice, lemongrass remoulade, mint, jalapeño, lime, shaved gem lettuce, and heirloom tomato, or enjoy the classic Nashville which is served with house-made Nashville hot sauce, house pickles, cookout slaw, and guests choice of four levels of heat. Pair your favorite Fried Chicken Sandwich with a Fountain Soda and cut all that spice with something sweet by savoring a frosty (and vegan!) Dole Whip for dessert, made exclusively of Dole pineapples and served with shaved coconut, pecans, or Mexican chocolate. Happy Hour at South City Fried Chicken will have you leaving with your belly, and wallet full this Fall!

South City Fried Chicken offers Happy Hour every Monday through Sunday from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm; 724 South Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90014; 213.278.0008; www.SouthCityFriedChicken.com

The Raymond 1886:

There is nothing like a good Happy Hour to help liven up a long workday or start a fun night with friends and Pasadena’s The Raymond 1886 has exactly what you need. Guests of The Raymond 1886 can enjoy 50% off Well Drinks and Bar Bites, $5.00 Select Wines, $4.00 Craft Beers, and $7.00 Daily Craft Cocktails. Pair the drink of your choice with a variety of tasty Bar Bites like the Hand Cut Onion Rings served with The Raymond 1886’s aged Worcestershire; the Suckling Pig Carnitas Tacos with white onions and salsa verde; Mac-n-Cheese baked with Irish cheddar and gruyère, or the Steamed Mussels served with Angry Lady sauce and Chinese sausage. Sip a cocktail (or two) and enjoy Pasadena’s finest as you lounge the rest of the day away without breaking the bank at Happy Hour at The Raymond 1886!

The Raymond 1886 offers Happy Hour every Tuesday through Friday from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm; 1250 South Fair Oaks Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91105; 626.441.3136; www.TheRaymond.com

Filed Under: Guests Tagged With: alcohol, aperol, asia, bar, bar menu, beer, cheese, chef, cocktails, craft beer, craft cocktail, culinary, fruit, gin, Happy Hour, los angeles, margarita, mexico, restaurant, sake, santa monica, sweets, tequila, venice

Vintage Eve Circa 8/2015: LuckyRice Feast 2015 LA = Getting Very Lucky!

September 25, 2018 by evebushman

“We will be returning to the City of Angels with a our national Feast event and will continue to feature the best up-and-coming chefs in the Los Angeles area. Popular Pop-Ups will be joined by brick-and-mortar mainstays under one roof, with plenty of Asian-influenced cocktails from the city’s top mixologists to help wash down the grub.” Lucky Rice.

IMG_3790I had attended the LuckyRice LA feast once before, and in one word I would have to say: IMPRESSIVE. The fact that we were able to sample from so many excellent LA-based Asian restaurants at one time, and have the food paired with full-sized innovative cocktails, most made with Bombay East Sapphire Gin, was almost overwhelming. Almost.

This year we found the pairings equally ambitious. There were three separate areas to taste inside and outside of the Create nightclub in Hollywood. I couldn’t find any repeat dishes or cocktails so there was a lot of ground to cover. I took to the task in my usual diligence.

Of special note to me was the discovery of Bittercube Tonic Extracts. To see a bartender use a small dropper to add flavors like ginger, peppermint, sassafras, jasmine, lavender, orange, fennel, cinnamon…really changed the flavor profile of the juniper and other botanicals normally found in gin alone. Loved these inspired drinks with the moist and artful dumplings from Bling Bling Dumpling, the fresh scallop sashimi from Katsuya and the flavorful Szechuan Pork and Crab Wontons from Phorage.

I have bolded some of my favorites in the list below and instead of doing a story in photos, I uploaded them into a short YouTube. View it here.

The Cocktail Menu

Asahi Beer

Asahi Super Dry
Asahi Select
Asahi Kuronama Black

Bombay Sapphire® East Gin

Feeling Sheepish: Chamomile-infused Bombay Sapphire® East Gin, Bruce Cost Ginger Ale, Garnished with Lemon Slices

Break Room 86
Bruce Cost Ginger Ale

Original, Pomegranate with Hibiscus, Jasmine Tea, Passion Fruit with Turmeric, Bruce Cost 66 Calories with Monk Fruit, Blood Orange with Meyer Lemon

Butchers & Barbers
CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS

Oriental Breeze: Sour Plum Tea, Cranberry Juice, Honey, Fresh Lemon Juice, Rose Water, Dried Rose Bud Garnish

Good Times at Davey Wayne’s
Harvard & Stone
Hinoki & the Bird

Son of a Beesting: Bombay Sapphire® East Gin, Sweetened Ginger, Honey Syrup, Lemon Juice, Mist of Rose Flower Water

Smashing Leaves: Shiso Infused Cognac. Lemon Juice, Kumquat Cordial

Terrine
The Tasting Menu
Asian Box

Lamb Meatballs, Coconut Curry, Summer Herbs, Asian Street Dust

Glass Noodle Salad, Pineapple, Golden Raisins, Tamarind Vinaigrette

Ayara Thai Cuisine

Chicken Khao Soi: Thai Curry Noodles Garnished with Pickled Mustard Greens, Shallots, Fried Noodles, Coconut Cream Foam, and Lime

Badmaash

Chicken Biryani with Cilantro-Lime Whip and Paprika Masala

Bling Bling Dumpling
Blue Ribbon

Spicy Tuna Hand Roll: Raw Tuna, Spicy Mayo, Sushi Rice, Vinegar, Nori
Salmon Avocado Hand Roll: Salmon, Avocado, Sushi Rice, Vinegar, Nori
Spicy Crab Hand Roll: Crab, Spicy Mayo, Shiso Leaf, Masago, Sushi Rice, Vinegar, Nori

Crème Caramel LA

Ube Upside Down Pie: Ube (Purple Yam) Custard topped with Brûléed Graham Cracker, Greek Yogurt Crumble Crust

Fluff Ice

“Chamango”: Mango Fluff with Spicy Popping Boba

Hamasaku

Bara Chirashi: Tuna, Snapper, Salmon, Egg, Sesame, Seaweed, Shiso, Rice

Katsuya

Truffle & Chive Chawanmushi: Three Layers of Truffle, Dashi Tamago and Light Soy

Hokkaido Scallop Sashimi: Tomatillo Ponzu, Fuji Apple, Watercress & Ginger

Komodo

Vietnamese Chicken Liver Pate on Bruschetta topped with Smoked Caramelized Onions, and Pickled Carrots

HUTCHINSON COCKTAILS & GRILL

Nasi Goreng: Rice, Pork, Chicken, Shrimp, Fried Egg, Sambal Oelek, Kejap Manis, Chicken Stock, and Trassi (Shrimp Paste)

Little Sister

Braised Beef Shank and Tendon, Sweet Onion, aromatics, Chili Noodles, Black Vin

Open Blue

Cobia Crudo, Chicken Skin Chicharron, Hearts of Palm, Young Ginger and Lime Gremolata, Tomatillo-White Soy Glaze

Palms Thai
Parks BBQ

Parks Galbi: Marinated Short Ribs

phorage

Szechuan Pork and Crab Wontons: Pork, Crab, Onions, Cilantro, Water Chestnut

Seoul Sausage Company

Southern Korean Braised Bacon with Country Potato Salad

Starry Kitchen

Crispy Tofu Balls

The District By Hannah An

Open Faced Bahn Mi: Tofu Pate or Beef Pate, Pickled Carrots, and Pickled Daikon with an Aioli

the Dudley Market

Seafood Shoyu Style Ramen

Twenty Eight

Slow Braised Octopus: Black Bean Chili Glaze, Garlic Aioli, Pickled Radish, Preserved Young Peach

##

I highly recommend this event to anyone that is interested in where to find LA’s best Asian fare, and those budding mixologists that want to try their hand at making something well beyond a gin and tonic! http://luckyrice.com/

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 15k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com

Filed Under: Eve Bushman Tagged With: asia, bartender, beer, botanicals, cocktail event, cocktails, food event, gin, hollywood, los angeles, lucky rice, luckyrice, mixologist, restaurant

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