Gonzalez Byass Is a Top Winery of 2021

September 16, 2021 by evebushman

CHICAGO (PRWEB) – – González Byass, a family-owned producer of fine wines, Sherries and premium spirits, has been named as one of Wine & Spirits Magazine’s Top 100 Wineries of 2021.

Every year, the editors at Wine & Spirits Magazine select a diverse collection of producers from around the globe, based on their wines’ performance in the magazine’s two-step blind-tasting process. The wineries are then invited to pour their award-winning wine at the18th Annual Top 100 Tasting, which will be held in San Francisco in October 2021 and in New York in January 2022.

Founded in 1835, González Byass is a family-owned, collection of wineries that spans across Spain’s most important wine producing regions. The González family has been dedicated to making fine Sherries and brandies in Jerez, Spain, creating such well-known brands as Tío Pepe Fino Sherry and Lepanto Brandy de Jerez. Today, the fifth generation of the González family continues to build the winery and brands, including: Bodegas Beronia (Rioja and Rueda), Dominio Fournier (Ribera del Duero), Cavas Vilarnau (Cava), Finca Constancia (Vino de la Tierra de Castilla), Finca Moncloa (Vino de la Tierra de Cádiz), Viñas del Vero (Somontano) and Pazos de Lusco (Rías Baixas). In each of these regions, González Byass seeks to make the highest quality wines respecting the local terroir and the environment.

“We are thrilled for this honor,” says Nicolás Bertino, CEO and Country Manager of González Byass USA. “After a turbulent year, González Byass never lost focus on making the best wine we could make, aiming for excellence. It is wonderful to be recognized for the hard work and dedication by one of the leading wine publications in the United States.”

González Byass and the other winners were announced on Wine & Spirits Magazine’s website on August 18, 2021. The González Byass Cuatro Palmas Amontillado 2020, which received 98 points from Wine & Spirits Magazine, will be poured at both of the Top 100 Tasting events.

About González Byass USA
González Byass USA is a Chicago based importer for a strategically selected portfolio of fine wine and spirit brands from around the world including Spain, Chile, Italy and Austria.

González Byass USA is the US subsidiary of González Byass headquartered in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. González Byass is a family-owned, collection of wineries founded in 1835 which spans across Spain’s most important wine producing regions.

Today the fifth generation of the family are the custodians of many exceptional brands having built the company into a family of wineries which produces wine in some of Spain’s most famous regions; Bodegas Beronia (Rioja and Rueda), Dominio Fournier (Ribera del Duero), Cavas Vilarnau (Cava), Finca Constancia (Vino de la Tierra de Castilla), Finca Moncloa (Vino de la Tierra de Cádiz), Viñas del Vero (Somontano) and Pazos de Lusco (Rías Baixas). In each of these regions the family strives to make the best possible quality wines respecting the local terroir and the environment. At the same time the company has also expanded its interests further in the premium spirits business and has created pioneering brands such as The London No.1 and Nomad Outland Whisky to complement the Spanish brandies in the portfolio Soberano and Lepanto. In recent years, the family have expanded outside of Spain purchasing the quality vineyards of Viñedos Veramonte in Chile. Organically farmed vineyards producing cool climate wines from Casablanca and complex reds from Apalta.

González Byass USA also represents a number of international wineries in the US market including from Austria Domäne Wachau, and from Italy Pranza, Caldora, Cantine Cellaro, Vesevo, Vigneti Del Salento and Tenute Rossetti. In addition, Harveys Bristol Cream and Fundador Brandy de Jerez and El Recuerdo and Señorio mezcals were recently added to the portfolio, as well as Mexican brandies from Pedro Domecq: Presidente and Don Pedro.

For further information, please visit: http://www.GonzalezByassUSA.com.

SIP Awards’ Annual Spirit Competition Shatters Through the 1,000 Entry Submission Milestone

August 29, 2021 by evebushman

IRVINE, Calif., /PRNewswire/ — The SIP Awards to be honored for another record setting year as the authority review leader in innovative tasting competitions, representing the one and only organization focused on the feedback of real consumers, not professional tasters or industry insiders. The 2021 SIP Awards surged with more than 1,000 competing brands from 49 countries — the highest since its inception in 2009.

The SIP Awards International Spirits Competition is committed to its core mission of bringing together informed, passionate consumers to experience rare and unique spirits and mixers from around the world. This year, cognizant of the ongoing global pandemic, SIP Awards reimagined spirits judging with their innovative at-home evaluation kits. With a record breaking 1,183 submissions, the 2021 evaluation was by far the most competitive for brands vying to secure coveted SIP Awards recognition and exposure.

Participants registered online and selected a sampler kit in one of 108 spirits categories and subcategories (bourbon, vodka, tequila, mezcal, whiskey, scotch, liqueurs, infused spirits, and more) to be delivered to their home. Each kit included 6 to 12 unbranded samples, a link to submit the results and one exclusive Neat Glass scientifically designed to maximize the aroma, flavor and finish of each spirit. After the submission, the judges were able to see which spirits they actually liked and disliked in their blind tasting evaluation, which could help them in their buying decisions.

Winning a SIP Award is a critical milestone for brands that speak directly to their target audience, consumers. Awards include Bronze, Silver, Gold, Double Gold, Platinum, and Best of Class.

In addition, the most sought after, Consumers’ Choice Award, honors a brand’s unwavering commitment to their legacy, craft, and to the ever-important consumer palate, by placing in the SIP Awards two or more consecutive years. This year, 344 Consumer Choice Awards were distributed, underscoring the growing popularity of the event and the value it provides to brands.

There’s also an Innovation Award for spirits that bring an interesting and unique taste profile, as well as Package Design Awards for creative bottles and aesthetics. No brand receives participation awards, as the competition focuses solely on tangible differentiation in the winner’s circle.

“The fact that the SIP Awards sets new records each year for consumer and brand participation highlights what we’ve believed all along — that consumer opinion carries a lot of weight for brands to create, improve on, and market their products,” says Cher Holmes, Director of Operations. “We look forward to continuing this tradition of bringing spirits brands and their ideal customers together and improving the industry as a whole, one sip at a time.”

For a complete list of 2021 SIP Awards winner, visit: http://sipawards.com/

About the SIP Awards
Founded in 2008, the SIP Awards is the world’s only spirits tasting competition that uses real consumers as its judging panel. Brands can enter one or multiple spirits and review the raw feedback they receive from the judges and use it to improve their product. For brands that win a SIP Award, they can leverage their award in their branding and marketing. To learn more about the SIP Awards beverage competition, venue partnerships, or for a complete list of this year’s winners, visit https://sipawards.com.

Wine Country Network Launches The 2021 Tequila Mezcal Challenge

August 26, 2021 by evebushman

BROOMFIELD, COLO. (PRWEB) – Wine Country Network, publishers of Wine Country International magazine, and producers of six professional beverage competitions have announced that the third annual Tequila Mezcal Challenge (TMC) is now accepting entries in more than sixty categories of Tequila, Mezcal and Agave spirits.

The company is organizing the TMC and selecting a prestigious panel of Tequila & Mezcal professionals consisting of Master Sommeliers, F&B Directors, Journalists, and Retailers Buyers. Several recognized Tequila Mezcal experts from around the US will participate as guest judges.

Christopher J. Davies, Wine Country Network, CEO and Co-Founder stated, “Serious tequila deserves serious recognition. Our well-rounded panel of experts will taste the Tequilas, Mezcal & Agave Spirits “double-blind” and achieve the fairest scoring results possible. We plan to separate spirits in different price points for our popular categories to maintain an even playing field. We are looking to identify the absolute best products in this exciting category!”

There are currently around 150 distilleries in Mexico, making Tequila, Mezcal, and Agave products. There are now over 1,500 Tequila brands, with more coming online every week. In 2020, top competition winners included:

Geu Beez Mezcal Espadin “Best of Show”
Cierto Tequila “2020 Hot Tequila Brand”

The 3rd Annual Tequila Mezcal Challenge will occur on November 13 & 14, 2021, at the Origin Hotel in Westminster, Colorado. The competition is now open to Craft Distillers, Merchant Bottlers, Brand Marketers, Commercial Distilleries, and Duty-Free Spirits Producers. Producers, Importers, and Distributors are now encouraged to enter their products online before November 1, 2021. For details visit: TEQMEZCHALLENGE.COM

Piper-Heidsieck Chief Winemaker Named 2021 Sparkling Winemaker of the Year

August 3, 2021 by evebushman

REIMS, FRANCE (PRWEB) – At 34 years old, Piper-Heidsieck Chief Winemaker Emilien Boutillat has been named the 2021 Sparkling Winemaker of the Year at this year’s annual International Wine Challenge (IWC) held in London, United Kingdom.

Emilien joined the Piper-Heidsieck family in October 2018, taking over from renowned winemaker Regis Camus, and is the youngest chef de cave to lead a major House in the region.

His dynamic approach to winemaking has maintained the excellence and success of the House in recent times, enabled by his philosophy to balance tradition with trailblazing distinction.

As a result, Piper-Heidsieck is the most awarded Champagne House of the century*, achieving eight titles under the leadership of Regis Camus, and now a ninth with Emilien Boutillat’s latest IWC Sparkling Winemaker of the Year award.

Thrilled with the honor of the Award, Emilien stated:
“This is an important recognition of the work produced by the entire Piper-Heidsieck team and honors the legacy of my predecessors, including Daniel Thibault and Regis Camus, both of whom achieved great success during their time at the helm of Piper-Heidsieck.”

He continued:
“From the winemaking team, some of whom have been with the House more than 30 years, to the winegrowers and partners, and those involved in the production of the bottles, each of our team’s valuable contribution is what has enabled us to receive this award.”

The 2021 Sparkling Winemaker of the Year award affirms the dedication and commitment of Piper-Heidsieck to continue producing the finest blends, while working towards a sustainably conscious future within all its winemaking practices.

In its 37th year, the International Wine Competition brings together a panel of expert judges to blind taste the wide variety of wines and work in unison to discover the highest-quality blends from 52 countries.

The vast range of awards presented by the IWC includes Red, White, Fortified, Sparkling, and Sweet Winemakers of the Year and the Own Label, Varietal, Regional, National, and International shortlists.

Lauded as the most awarded House of the century*, Piper-Heidsieck has been one of the US market’s Top Five Champagne brands for more than a decade and is poured in more than 100 countries worldwide. A House with a storied history, it was the first champagne to appear in film and has long been associated with celebration, cinema and celebrity.

An official sponsor of the iconic Cannes Film Festival for more than 20 years, and the official Champagne of the Academy Awards since 2015, a bottle of Piper-Heidsieck is opened around the world every 8 seconds.

Wines in the Piper-Heidsieck portfolio include: Brut NV ($45 SRP), Extra Dry ($45 SRP), Sublime ($50 SRP), Rosé Sauvage ($60 SRP) and 2012 Vintage Brut ($80 SRP).

Wines are available nationally through fine wine retailers and restaurants. For more information or image requests, please contact Rebecca Hopkins at rhopkins@foliowine.com

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About Piper-Heidsieck:
The most awarded Champagne House of the century*, Piper-Heidsieck is celebrated for its audacity and excellence. Steeped in history, Piper-Heidsieck was born of a love story that began in 1785 with German-born founder Florens-Louis Heidsieck crafting a wine to seduce his lover. For Piper-Heidsieck, the true meaning of seduction is free from convention to innovate and to convey self-expression. The Maison continued its path of seduction winning over Marie-Antoinette, exciting the palates of speakeasy goers throughout Prohibition and even becoming Marilyn Monroe’s bedfellow with the famous actress claiming she would get up every morning with a glass of Piper. Today, Piper-Heidsieck is poured in over 100 countries and prides itself on holding dual certification of Viticulture Durable en Champagne and Haute Valeur Environnementale**. The progressive Champagne House also enjoys a colourful history of unique encounters and moments of intimacy, none more memorable than the iconic Prohibition-era which this year celebrates 100 years.

** Predecessor of Emilien Boutillat, Régis Camus awarded the title of “Sparkling Winemaker of the Year” eight times by the International Wine Challenge jury since the beginning of the century.
** VDC: Sustainable Viticulture in Champagne / HVE: High Environmental Value

About Folio Fine Wine Partners:
Founded by the Michael Mondavi Family in 2004, Folio Fine Wine Partners is an importer, fine wine agency and producer of quality wines from the world’s premier and emerging wine regions, providing sales, marketing and public relations services to wine brands from California, Italy, France, Argentina, Portugal, Spain, Washington State, Austria and South Africa. For more information about Folio Fine Wine Partners, visit http://www.foliowine.com/ or social media channels on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

What happens in the 22 days before 5StarWines and Wine Without Walls

June 21, 2021 by evebushman

VERONA, ITALY (PRWEB) – Registrations have closed for the blind wine tasting organized by Veronafiere with the support of Assoenologi. Now what? Wine samples are being anonymized for tasting which will be carried out by more than 80 international experts. The Selection culminates with the publication of the annual guide, both paper and digital, containing all the wines that obtain the highest scores. The Guide is then shared with the Vinitaly community; the wines will go on to gain visibility on the new Vinitaly Plus platform as well. Social Media posts are created by the 5StarWines & Wine Without Walls team for every single selected bottle, carrying the public relations buzz around 5StarWines & Wine Without Walls wines throughout the year.

Last year, this was the point where we had to roll up our sleeves. From the moment that registered wine samples got to our warehouses, our staff were tasked with putting each bottle in blue bags to anonymize and ready them for tasting. While this already takes quite a lot of time, last year, after tailored planning and registration, due to the inability of the judges to reach Verona for the tasting, we also had to pack and ship each bottle to each individual judge – it was a mammoth undertaking.

This year, even though the judges have been permitted to travel to Verona, we cannot state that things have gone back to “normal”. The last edition before the pandemic was in April 2019 and things were very different. Judges would taste and score each wine seated around a table of 6, being able to have an open session. In this edition, the staff will prepare the tasting rooms following specific safety protocols: each judge will be seated at their own table but grouped in sets of 5, to allow consultation amongst the jury – things maybe a little louder than usual!

After the first round of tasting, all the wines that receive a score equal or higher than 90 are to be re-tasted by the General Chairmen, further discussing its final score. As the last wine receives its final score, results will be published online through the registration platform and producers will be notified. Wines with higher scores in each category will be awarded the “Trophy” title.

While we patiently count the days until the beginning of this year’s edition of 5StarWines & Wine Without Walls, we are using our social media platforms (@5StarWines) to introduce all the judges joining us in Verona, helping you to get to know each of them better; posting video messages by them as well. Follow us to stay up to date on this year’s edition of the tasting!
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About: 5StarWines – the Book is the annual wine selection organized by Veronafiere, held in the lead-up to the biggest Italian wine fair in the world. The event is now in its fifth edition. 5StarWines – the Book is a blind tasting aimed at shedding light on wineries investing in the improvement of their products. During the event, a highly qualified panel of wine professionals will taste and score — using a 100-point scale — participating wines. In the 2020 edition, over 2000 bottles took part in the competition and 847 were selected for inclusion in 5StarWines – the Book. The Guide is a useful tool both on the promotional and commercial side. It introduces international buyers and wine lovers to new wine products of great value. It guarantees wine quality and it maintains and certifies their value at an international level.

Texas Whiskey Festival Crowns Best Texas Whiskeys

May 13, 2021 by evebushman

AUSTIN, TEXAS (PRWEB) – The Texas Whiskey Festival announces the winners of the annual competition of the best Texas Whiskeys.

Each year the Texas Whiskey Festival hosts a competition to determine who has the best Texas Bourbon, Rye, and Malt Whiskey. With a panel of judges, we conduct the competition with a method known as blind judging. The brands and specific whiskeys they are tasting are unknown to the judges. “Our panel of judges smell and taste their way through each whiskey, rating the aroma, taste complexity, and finish,” says Co-Founder Jake Clements.

Bourbon: Grain to Glass

Gold – Garrison Brothers Balmorhea Texas Straight Bourbon
Silver – Silver Star Spirits 1849 Straight Bourbon
Bronze – Balcones Distilling Texas Pot Still Bourbon

Bourbon: Aged and Bottled in Texas

Gold – Rebecca Creek 10 year Straight Bourbon
Silver – Milam and Greene Triple Cask Straight Bourbon
Bronze – Iron Wolf Ranch and Distillery Select Bourbon

Rye Whiskey: Grain to Glass

Gold – Balcones Distilling Texas Rye 100
Silver – Gulf Coast Distilling Giant Rye 100
Bronze – Ranger Creek Distilling .44 Texas Rye

Rye Whiskey: Aged and Bottled in Texas

Gold – Treaty Oak Distilling Schenley Reserve Rye
Silver – Yellow Rose Distilling Rye
Bronze – Oak & Eden Rye & Spire

Malt Whiskey: Grain to Glass

Gold – Ranger Creek Distilling Rimfire Mesquite Smoked Single Malt
Silver – Andalusia Whiskey Co. Stryker Smoked Single Malt
Bronze – Balcones Distilling Lineage Single Malt

Other Whiskeys: includes whiskeys aged in used barrels, blended whiskey, and light whiskey.

Gold – Austin 101 Light Whiskey (made grain to glass in Texas)
Silver – Remington Family Distillers Remington Revival
Bronze – Rebecca Creek Small Batch

“These are their winners, but remember the best whiskey is the one you like,” says Co-Founder Jake Clements. Festival attendees will have the opportunity to vote on their favorite distillery to decide on the people’s choice.

Thank you to the Crowded Barrel Whiskey Co for hosting us. A big thank you to our talented judges.

Marianne Eaves, KY’s First Female Master Distiller, Founder of Eaves, LLC Whisk(e)y and Spirits Consulting and Curator of Eaves Blind.
Gabrielle Pharms, Veteran journalist with bylines in/on Bourbon Plus, Whisky Advocate, Imbibe Magazine, UPROXX, and more.
Tom Koerner the former Spirit Guide and General Manager of Seven Grand Whiskey Bar and Las Perlas Mezcaleria, Current Brand Ambassador for Mezcal Unión

About the Texas Whiskey Festival
The festival’s mission is simple: To help promote and enhance the brands of the many great distilleries throughout Texas. We want to promote and educate whiskey lovers about the whiskeys produced in our great state. We’re doing it all while having fun, drinking great whiskey, and building memorable experiences. As an organization, we know that Texas has some of the best distilleries and whiskeys globally. The Texas Whiskey Festival is an opportunity to showcase that. For more information, please visit https://txwhiskeyfest.com.

The Busker “Triple Cask Triple Smooth” Beats Established Competitors in Blind Tasting; Rated Best Irish Whiskey Blend

April 10, 2021 by evebushman

NEW YORK (PRWEB) – The Busker, a “new-to-world” Irish Whiskey, is proud to announce that it was named the top Irish Whiskey Blend in a blind, independent tasting of industry experts. The Busker “Triple Cask Triple Smooth” was blind-tasted against four leading Irish whiskeys in similar price points, including Proper Twelve, Jameson, Bushmills and Tullamore D.E.W. The panel consisted of five renowned industry experts, including Andy Seymour, Julie Reiner, Anu Apte, Sean Kenyon and Jackie Summers. The panel judged each spirit on appearance, nose, aroma and finish. Awarded the highest aggregate score, The Busker “Triple Cask Triple Smooth” was recognized as a standout among the judges for its distinctive taste in a world of similar-tasting Irish whiskeys.

“The Busker is unique, unlike any other of the whiskies we tasted,” said Andy Seymour, owner of Liquid Productions and partner in BAR. “All the others were going in the same direction, and this stood out right away. The Busker has a bolder and richer taste that we all immediately picked up on.”

“The Busker is an apple among oranges,” said New York-based Julie Reiner, known for her award-winning beverage programs at Clover Club and Leyenda. “This is a whiskey that bartenders will embrace because it will perform excellently in craft cocktails.” The panel noted that the bold flavors of The Busker make it suitable for sipping as well as for cocktails that might overwhelm less distinctive Irish whiskeys.

The Busker “Triple Cask Triple Smooth” combines the Busker Single Grain with a high percentage of The Busker’s Single Malt and Single Pot whiskeys. Matured and finished in three different casks (Bourbon, Sherry, Marsala), this whiskey brings a new definition of richness and smoothness to the Irish whiskey landscape. The flavor profile of The Busker “Triple Cask Triple Smooth” blend is ideal for multiple consumption occasions, from sipping neat or on the rocks to classic cocktails that don’t typically use Irish whiskey, like Manhattans, Sours, tiki drinks, Old-Fashioneds or even the Vieux-Carre. These are cocktails that craft bartenders embrace and cocktails that are trending at-home with consumers.

“Our team at The Royal Oak Distillery set out to make an Irish whiskey that would appeal not only to Irish whiskey drinkers, but also to bourbon lovers,” said Ignacio Llaneza, Vice President of Brand & Trade Marketing for Disaronno International in the U.S. “We’re able to achieve a fuller, rounder whiskey with a higher malt content in the recipe, and triple cask finishing in Bourbon, Sherry and Marsala casks. Ultimately, we want to provide a journey into Irish whiskey at an affordable price point. Based on the tremendous feedback from our esteemed judging panel, quite frankly we believe The Busker has the potential to become the preferred Irish whiskey in the United States.”

Jackie Summers, creator of Sorel Liqueur and named Drinks International’s “100 Most Influential Bar Industry Figures” (2020) and Imbibe 75 (2021), noted that “The Busker was the outlier, and the only bottle I would drink and buy again.” Denver-based Sean Kenyon, the person behind award-winning bars Williams & Graham, Occidental and American Bonded and recognized as Tales of the Cocktail’s American Bartender of the Year (2014), agreed, calling The Busker blend “a real stand out, something interesting in the Irish whiskey world where the others go in the same direction.” Anu Apte, behind a number of award-winning Seattle bars including Rob Roy, No Anchor, Navy Strength, Vinnie’s Wine Shop and The Bar Bazaar enjoyed The Busker’s round, soft and integrated notes. “The Busker brings an exciting and very different new distillate to market,” she said.

The blind tasting recognition follows The Busker “Triple Cask Triple Smooth” receiving a “Best Buy” rating and 94 points in the April 2021 issue of Wine Enthusiast. This impressive ranking outclassed the other major whiskey brands, and was the highest-rated Irish whiskey when measured against similar priced competitors.

About The Busker
The Busker is a “new to world” Irish Whiskey that is born out of a modern Ireland, where the contemporary and bold meet at the crossroads of tradition. The Busker is produced at the Royal Oak Distillery, in County Carlow, Ireland, located on an 18th century estate in Ireland’s Ancient East region. It is the only distillery in Ireland which offers all three classic Irish styles of whiskey – Single Grain, Single Malt, & Single Pot Still, which make The Busker Single Collection. The Busker portfolio also includes The Busker Blend which is a beautiful blend of The Single Collection. The Busker uses different casks during the maturation process of their whiskeys including Bourbon casks, Sherry casks and Marsala casks. Most recently, The Busker took home multiple top accolades at the 2020 LA Spirits Awards: The Busker Single Malt was awarded the 2020 Platinum Medal and Best Irish Whiskey, while the Single Pot Still and Blend were awarded the Gold Medal.

For more information, visit http://www.thebusker.com and join the conversation at @thebusker_official

Champagne Magazine’s 100 Best Champagnes for 2021!

January 24, 2021 by evebushman

SAN FRANCISCO /PRNewswire/ — For the tenth time, the world’s one and only Champagne Magazine and world’s largest wine information platform Tastingbook.com, put hundreds of champagnes in line and ranked the 100 best champagnes on global markets for 2021.

After days of blind-tasting hundreds of champagnes, the final results were tabulated. Any champagne making it into the Top 100 in the rigorous tasting by our editorial board can warmly be recommended.

This time the winner was one of the most esteemed prestige blanc de blancs champagne of the world – Comtes de Champagne from Taittinger and its most recent vintage 2008. Comtes de Champagne is not the newcomer on podium, as it was claimed in 2012 as the winner of 100 Best Champagnes with its vintage 2000.

“The recently-released and much-awaited Comtes de Champagne 2008 was one of the last remaining prestige cuvées from the hyped 2008 vintage to see daylight. But it was worth the wait. The first nose is radiantly fruity with gorgeous gunpowdery toastiness lingering on top of the zingy lemon, lime, peach and grass notes. Remarkable purity and finesse on this racey and mineral, slowly evolving, still super youthful Comtes packed with energy and tension,” Essi Avellan MW comments.

The second place was shared this year by two great new cuvees – Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle No. 24 and Dom Pérignon 2010. Both very solid and concentrated, still babies but drinking perfectly well already.

Although the top ten list is dominated by the well-established prestige champagnes, there are two superb finds – Laurent-Perrier Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature NV and Palmer & Co Vintage 2012.

The quality of all the top 100 champagnes was pleasingly high – over 70 champagnes were rated by 90 points and plus, and the average scores of the top 10 was highest ever – 95 points!

The 100 Best Champagnes tasting is an annual rating of Fine Champagne Magazine that is organised in collaboration with the world’s largest wine information source Tastingbook.com.

FINE Champagne’s TOP 10 champagnes for 2021
1. Taittinger Comtes de Champagne 2008
2. Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle No. 24
3. Dom Pérignon 2010
4. Maison Mumm Cuvée Lalou 2006
5. Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs 2007
6. Moët & Chandon MCIII 001.14
7. Louis Roederer Cristal 2012
8. Rare Champagne Rosé Millésime 2008
9. Laurent-Perrier Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature
10. Palmer & Co Vintage 2012

Previous winners:
2020 Dom Pérignon 2008
2018 Dom Pérignon Rosé 2006
2017 Moët & Chandon MCIII 001.14 NV
2016 Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle NV
2015 Ruinart Dom Ruinart Rosé 2002
2014 Louis Roederer Cristal Rosé 2002
2013 Charles Heidsieck Vintage 2000
2012 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne 2000
2011 Piper-Heidsieck Rare 2002
2010 Armand de Brignac Brut Gold NV

FINE Champagne magazine’s aim with this annual ranking is to taste the vast offering on the international markets in order to select the champagnes that are showing best this very moment. The most important criterion is the quality of the champagne and its accessibility today.

More information: tastingbook.com

Colangelo & Partners And Cronache Di Gusto Partner In Sud Top Wine, The Industry’s Leading Competition Dedicated To Southern Italian Wine

January 2, 2021 by evebushman

NEW YORK (PRWEB) – For the first time, Colangelo & Partners joins forces with one of Italy’s leading wine publications, Cronache di Gusto, in Sud Top Wine, the annual Italian wine competition that awards some of the most interesting wines of Southern Italy.

As part of Taormina Gourmet 2020, the Sud Top Wine competition’s international panel of leading wine specialists blindly tasted 500 wines from 48 wineries hailing from the regions of Campania, Calabria, Puglia, Basilicata, Sicily, and Sardinia awarding a selection of the best wines of the south. “The collaboration with Colangelo & Partners,” says Fabrizio Carrera of Cronache di Gusto, “has been a vital evolution of the wine competition and has created a bridge to the American market for these remarkable wines, many of which are still unknown in the US.”

“The wines from Southern Italy are a result of indigenous varietals, unique terroirs, and a combination of young ambitious and traditional winemakers that all together make these wines truly special”, states Gino Colangelo, president of Colangelo & Partners.

The expert panelist of judges for Sud Top Wine included Daniele Cernilli of Doctor Wine, Enrico Donati of Vidi Vini, Aldo Fiordelli of Civiltà del Bere e Decanter, Italian Wine ambassador, Erik Klein, Alessandra Piubello, co-author of Guido Oro, Federico Latteri of Cronache di Gusto and Eleonora Scholes of spaziovino.com.

The winning wines of the competition are as follows:

Etna DOC White

1.    Etna DOC Bianco Superiore Pietra Marina 2016 – Benanti
2.    Etna DOC Bianco Millemetri 2015 – Feudo Cavaliere
3.    Etna DOC Bianco Superiore Contrada Villagrande 2017 – Barone di Villagrande

Etna DOC Red

1.    Etna DOC Rosso Contrada Sciaranuova V.V. 2017 – Tenuta Tascante – Tasca d’Almerita
2.    Etna DOC Rosso Contrada Santo Spirito 466 2016 – Palmento Costanzo
3.    Etna DOC Rosso Contrada Pignatùni 2018 – Famiglia Statella

Sicilia DOC Nero d’Avola

1.    Sicilia DOC Nero d’Avola Donnatà 2018 – Alessandro di Camporeale
2.    Sicilia DOC Nero d’Avola Nero d’Altura 2017 – Tenute Lombardo
3.    Sicilia DOC Nero d’Avola Insieme 2019 – Santa Tresa

Sicilia DOC Grillo and Sicilia DOC Catarratto

1.    Sicilia DOC Grillo Grappoli del Grillo 2018 – Marco de Bartoli
2.    Sicilia DOC Grillo Lalùci 2019 – Baglio del Cristo di Campobello
3.    Sicilia DOC Grillo Berlinghieri 2019 – Di Legàmi

Additional Sicilian DOC red wines (Other denominations – only wines with indigenous varieties or blends)

Faro DOC 2014 – Chiano Conti
Sicilia DOC Nerello Mascalese Alberelli di Giodo 2018 – Alberelli di Giodo
Sicilia DOC Rosso Pietre a Purtedda da Ginestra 2017 – Centopassi

Additional Sicilian DOC white wines (Other denominations – only wines with indigenous varieties or blends)

1.    Siracusa DOC Bianco Cyane 2019 – Pupillo
2.    Pantelleria DOC Zibibbo Pietra Nera 2019 – Marco De Bartoli
3.    Pantelleria DOC Bianco Isesi 2018 – Cantine Pellegrino

Taurasi DOCG

1.    Taurasi DOCG Renonno 2014 – Salvatore Molettieri
2.    Taurasi DOCG Riserva Santa Vara 2009 – La Molara
3.    Taurasi DOCG Riserva La Loggia del Cavaliere 2013 – Tenuta Cavaliere Pepe

Greco di Tufo DOCG

1.    Greco di Tufo DOCG 2018 – Cantine Terranera
2.    Greco di Tufo DOCG Vigna Laure 2018 – Cantine di Marzo
3.    Greco di Tufo DOCH 2019 – Historia Antiqua

Fiano di Avellino DOCG

1.    Fiano di Avellino DOCG 2019 – Terre d’Aione
2.    Fiano di Avellino DOCG 2019 – Di Meo
3.    Fiano di Avellino DOCG Contrada Sant’Aniello 2016 – Vigne Guadagno

Aglianico del Vulture DOC and Aglianico del Vulture Superiore DOCG

1.    Aglianico del Vulture Superiore DOCG Serpara 2016 – Re Manfredi
2.    Aglianico del Vulture DOC Titolo by Amphora 2017 – Elena Fucci
3.    Aglianico del Vulture Doc Donato D’Angelo 2017 – Donato D’Angelo

Cirò Rosso DOC

1.    Cirò DOC Rosso Classico Superiore Riserva Duca Sanfelice 2017 – Librandi
2.    Cirò DOC Rosso Classico Superiore Riserva Colli del Mancuso 2017 – Ippolito 1845
3.    Cirò DOC Rosso Classico Superiore Riserva 2017 – Caparra & Siciliani

Primitivo red wine from Puglia

1.    Gioia del Colle Primitivo DOC Chakra 2018 – Giovanni Aiello
2.    Salento IGT Primitivo ES 2018 – Gianfranco Fino
3.    Salento IGT Primitivo Per Lui 2016 – Leone de Castris

Negroamaro red wine from Puglia

1.    Salice Salentino DOP Salice 2016 – Varvaglione 1921
2.    Lizzano DOP Negroamaro Superiore Anima di Negroamaro 2017 – Tenute Emèra
3.    Salice Salentino DOP Riserva Cantalupi 2017 – Conti Zecca

Vermentino white wine from Sardinia

1.    Vermentino di Gallura DOCG Superiore Maìa 2019 – Siddùra
2.    Isola dei Nuraghi IGT Santigaìni 2016 – Capichera
3.    Vermentino di Sardegna DOC VRM 2016 – Quartomoro di Sardegna

Cannonau red wine from Sardinia

1.    Cannonau di Sardegna DOC Nepente di Oliena Riserva Pro Vois 2015 – Fratelli Puddu
2.    Cannonau di Sardegna DOC Riserva Ballu Tundu 2015 – Giuseppe Sedilesu
3.    Cannonau di Sardegna DOC Mamaioa 2018 – Contini

Rosato wines (All denominations from Sicily, Calabria, Puglia, Campania, Basilicata, and Sardinia)

1.    Salento IGP Rosato Cantalupi 2019 – Conti Zecca
2.    Etna DOC Rosato Millemetri 2016 – Feudo Cavaliere
3.    Terre Siciliane IGT Rosato Radici 2018 – Barone Beneventano della Corte

Piper Sonoma Scoops The Sparkling Pool At San Francisco International Wine Competition

December 3, 2020 by evebushman

NAPA, CALIF. (PRWEB) – Historic Sonoma County sparkling wine producer, Piper Sonoma, has scooped the pool: winning a Double Gold medal, and being named both Best Sparkling Rosé and Best in Show Sparkling Wine at this year’s 2020 San Francisco International Wine Competition (SFIWC).

Piper-Sonoma photo from Wine Industry Advisor.

Now in its 40th year, the San Francisco International Wine Competition is one of the world’s longest-running international wine competitions and SFIWC medals have become reliable indicators of wine excellence across the globe.

Speaking to the success, well-respected and long-time winemaker Keith Hock, was thrilled with the result: “Our Rosé has always been one of my favorite wines to craft. It’s terrific to see the wine be judged so well, in a blind tasting by such a respected line-up of judges.”

Piper Sonoma is one of the first, and the few California sparkling wines with ownership ties to France. It was founded in 1980 in Sonoma County by Marquis d’Aulan, whose family has been linked for generations with Champagne.

Sourcing from vineyards across Sonoma County, the Brut Rosé is a blend of Chardonnay (53%) with Pinot Noir and Pinot Blanc. With aromas of freshly picked berries and tangerine, the palate displays red fruits and citrus, showcasing the bright fruit flavors of Sonoma County.

In total, all four of the current release wines in the Piper Sonoma range received Gold and Silver medals. The Piper Sonoma Sparkling Rosé NV was rated 94 points, and awarded a Double Gold, the Reserve Brut received a GOLD medal, while SILVER Medals were awarded to Blanc de Blanc and Brut.

Competition results appeared on their website on November 23, and a list of all Gold, Double Gold, and Premium Award winners will appear in the March 2021 issue of The Tasting Panel Magazine.

The wines are available nationally at the suggested retail prices: Piper Sonoma Brut NV ($22), Piper Sonoma Brut Rosé ($22), Piper Sonoma Blanc de Blancs ($22), and the limited release Piper Sonoma Brut Reserve ($25). Piper Sonoma wines are represented by Folio Fine Wine Partners.

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About Folio Fine Wine Partners:
Founded by the Michael Mondavi Family in 2004, Folio Fine Wine Partners is an importer, fine wine agency and producer of quality wines from the world’s premier and emerging wine regions, providing sales, marketing and public relations services to wine brands from California, Italy, France, Argentina, Portugal, Spain, Washington State, Austria and South Africa. For more information about Folio Fine Wine Partners, visit http://www.foliowine.com or social media channels on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.