Eve's Wine 101

Breckenridge Wine Classic Announcements

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GOLDEN, Colo. – The Eighth Annual Breckenridge Wine Classic (September 15-17) has announced details regarding its innovative lineup including a “Winemaker for a Day” experience, “Wine & Wildflower Hike,” and exquisite paired dinners with some of the country’s best vintners at five standout Breckenridge restaurants, including one at the ski resort. Located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, the Breckenridge Wine Classic is a three-day festival anchored by the two-day Grand Tasting, which features hundreds of wineries, breweries, distilleries, and epicurean purveyors at this ultimate food, wine and sensory destination. Tickets for the seminars and paired dinners are on sale now, while Grand Tasting tickets went on sale in April.

“The Breckenridge Wine Classic is so much more than the Grand Tasting. We develop programming that provides unprecedented access to sommeliers, winemakers, glassware experts and other industry pioneers that will help everyone from a wine novice to someone with decades of wine enthusiasm learn more about the craft,” said Breckenridge Wine Classic Festival Events and Marketing Director Kristen Horpedahl. “Where else can you play winemaker for a day for $85 or explore the Rocky Mountains with a master somm?”

All tickets can be purchased on the Breckenridge Wine Classic Eventbrite page. Experiences at the 2022 Breckenridge Wine Classic include:

Thursday, September 15: The Breckenridge Uncorked Dinner Series (prices vary) will feature five-course paired wine dinners at Breckenridge’s best restaurants including:

  • The Tour of Pinot Noir Dinner at Hearthstone Breckenridge with Copper Cane’s portfolio
  • Single Vineyard Reserve Dinner at Beaver Run Resort’s Spencer’s Lounge with Canard Vineyard
  • Wild West of Wines Dinner at Carboy Winery Breckenridge with Colorado’s own winery
  • Master Sommelier Reserve Dinner at Rootstalk Breckenridge with local Master Sommelier Sean Razee
  • Read All About It Dinner at Modis Breckenridge with Robert Craig Winery

Friday, September 16:

  • Winemaker For A Day Blending Experience ($85): Alexander Valley Vineyards hosts a blending seminar where guests are invited to taste from the barrel samples and create their own craft blend
  • Uncharted Territories Hike ($130): This guided 3-mile hike on the Burro Trail culminates in a three-course paired lunch at Cabin Juice with wines from little known regions of Australia.

Saturday, September 17:

  • Class On Glass Riedel Seminar ($125): Guests will sample wine from Riedel’s varietal-specific glasses to understand how glassware enhances the aromas and taste components.
  • Wine & Wildflower Hike ($130): This 3-mile guided hike throughout the Rocky Mountain’s wildflowers alongside Deanna Benzenberg of Michael David Winery culminates in a three-course paired lunch at Cabin Juice.
  • Giampietro’s Reserve Lunch ($99): Double the somms, double the fun. This double-trouble paired lunch features two Master Sommeliers: Sean Razee and Damon Ornowski at Giampietro Italian restaurant.

Tickets for the seminars and paired dinners start at $85, while Grand Tasting tickets start at $109.

More details regarding the seminars and events will be released closer to the festival. Volunteer applications will open in June.

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About Breckenridge Wine Classic

The Breckenridge Wine Classic is a premier destination event where master winemakers, culinary greats, and our distinguished guests gather to play, wine, and dine in beautiful Breckenridge, Colo. Experience more than 100 food artisans, wineries, breweries, distilleries, epicurean purveyors, and locally-made products at this ultimate food and wine experience. Whether you are a full-fledged foodie or an emerging gourmand, you are sure to find more than one event to whet your appetite at the Wine Classic. There is something for everyone – from food and wine tastings, to seminars and luncheons, to outdoor adventures with food & wine influences, there are tastes and temptations at every turn. For more information, visit breckenridgewineclassic.com or follow @breckwineclassic on Instagram and @breckenridewineclassic on Facebook.

About Team Player Productions

Founded more than 25 years ago in Denver, Team Player Productions (TPP) has produced and managed more than 400 events around the country, raising more than $2 million for its various nonprofit partners. TPP has created and continues to produce beloved annual events including Vail Wine Classic, Breckenridge Wine Classic and Vail Craft Beer Classic , and adopted others, such asDenver Burger Battle and the Boulder Creek Festival. The company was also the originator of events including Taste of Fort Collins, Steamboat Wine Festival and Park City Food & Wine Classic. TPP consults and produces events for a portfolio of clients as well, such as Goose Island Beer Co., Blue Point Brewing Co., Great Divide Brewing Company, Odell Brewing Company, Red Bull, City of Centennial, Anheuser-Busch, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and City of Littleton. For more information, visit TPPEvents.com, or follow @TPPEvents on Facebook and @TeamPlayerProductions on Instagram.

Teatulia Teas Does it again with Tea and Botanical Flavor Innovations; Featured in Recent Cider Collaboration with Stem Cider – Leaves

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DENVER, PRNewswire/ — Premier organic tea maker Teatulia recently collaborated with Stem Ciders as an ingredient provider for their new botanical cider: “Leaves.” At only 100 calories and zero grams of added sugar per 12 oz. serving, the Stem Cider flavor is part of the botanical cider series, focusing on fresh, botanical ingredients. Serving as perfect examples of how tea and botanicals can transform any craft brew for the better, Teatulia explored more collaborations at the upcoming Craft Brewers Conference in Minneapolis, May 2-5.

“Tea and botanicals have not traditionally been looked at as ingredients in the cider, beer or alcohol industry, but we’re well on the way to changing that,” said Tim Bradley, Teatulia’s CEO. Added Chris Olsen, Chief Business Development Officer: “We are proud to help provide ingredients for Stem Cider’s new recipes, as they are a fantastic example of the talent and artistry that goes into craft brewing. We look forward to working with Patrick Combs and his team again – they are really breaking new ground by using tea to expand flavor profiles.”

Botanical Ciders Featuring Teatulia Tea

“Our new botanical cider series was designed as a way for us to explore new boundaries of cider and how it relates to better-for-you beverages,” explains Patrick Combs, Director of Innovation and Quality for Stem Ciders. “We’re continuing to experiment with other botanicals and hope to expand the series by utilizing functional ingredients in a very flavorful way.”

  • “Leaves” – Following the notes of a classic Arnold Palmer, with features of rich Oolong leaves, Chinese Black Fanning tea, and hand-picked, organic Lemongrass. A lemon verbena and Stevia leaf layer on top of a dry cider base, “Leaves” is an earthy, tart, citrus-forward cider with a clean, refreshing, and sweet finish.

“The craft brewing community has embraced a whole new tea-cabinet of delicious ingredients to work with and we’re thrilled we can help establish tea and botanicals as keynote ingredients in this incredible craft market. We continue to supply tea to the majority of top US kombucha and hard kombucha brewers,” Olsen said, “as well as select, breweries and seltzer makers.”

To learn more about upcoming products, future collaborations with craft brewers, and craft brew conference appearances, follow Teatulia on social media: Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest. 

About Teatulia Organic Teas

Teatulia is a grower, producer, and seller of fine teas and botanicals ethically sourced across the world. Grounded in one simple principle, every cup Teatulia cultivates supports the land and its people to build a world where everyone thrives. Teatulia tea and botanicals have the kind of clean, fresh taste that comes from doing less to interfere with what the earth does best. Known for their garden-direct sourcing, Teatulia’s tea and botanicals never sit in long-term warehouse storage or wait around to be blended by a third party. The result is fresh, great-tasting teas and botanicals that are better for the land, the people, and the environment.

Teatulia a Public Benefit Corporation is always mindful of how its actions impact worldwide communities and actively supports ethical organizations like the Whole Planet Foundation, Rainforest Alliance, and B Corporation. Teatulia is also proud of its exquisite, clean, and smooth-tasting teas that support education, business, and health initiatives – demonstrating a thorough commitment to sustainability. Learn more about the growing tea varieties and exciting creative collaborations at: www.Teatulia.com.

SOURCE Teatulia Organic Teas

Old Elk Distillery Releases Limited Series Blends: Four Grain and Double Wheat

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FORT COLLINS, COLO. (PRWEB) – Old Elk Distillery is proud to announce the release of two additional expressions of Master Distiller Greg Metze’s Master’s Blend Series: Old Elk Four Grain and Old Elk Double Wheat.

Old Elk’s Master’s Blend Series is the creation of new tasting experiences for whiskey aficionados nationwide. “By marrying traditional favorites, award-winning bourbons and whiskeys, and a bold sense of adventure, we have created two exquisite, unique whiskies that I am personally very excited to share with the world,” says Greg Metze. Creating some of the most celebrated spirits in the world for over four decades, Greg’s experience is apparent in every sip.

“We are so proud of what Greg has accomplished with these two new releases,” adds Old Elk’s CEO, Luis Gonzalez. “At Old Elk, we value innovation, quality, craftsmanship and integrity beyond anything else, and Greg has really poured those values into these liquids.”

Old Elk Double Wheat Straight Whiskey is a combination of two of Old Elk’s most beloved and awarded wheater whiskeys: Old Elk Straight Wheat Whiskey and Old Elk Wheated Bourbon Straight Bourbon Whiskey, creating a unique pour. The liquid yields a higher proof (107.1), and a brighter profile whiskey with fresh and crisp tasting notes and an undeniable presence of fruit. Old Elk’s Double Wheat is doubling down on all the classic notes that make their traditional wheaters beloved. Aged 6-8 years. Mashbill: 71.5% Wheat, 25% Corn, and 3.5% Barley; ABV: 53.55%

Old Elk Four Grain Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a blend of all four cereal grains including corn, wheat, barley, and rye, leading to a complete profile. The result honors tradition while leading the palate on a rare journey of flavor. Fans will recognize the smooth base with hints of almond, vanilla, maple, and spices creating a balanced sweet and spicy profile at a higher proof (105.9). Aged 6-7 years. Mashbill: 51% Corn, 22.5% Wheat, 19% Barley, 7.5% Rye; ABV: 52.95%

“My goal was to always create whiskeys that bring generations together over one bottle. It’s humbling to see my four decades of experience in the industry merging in the Master’s Blend Series,” adds Metze. “With the Master’s Blend Series, I am taking my expertise and creating new and innovative whiskeys for the true aficionado – the one seeking something to discover.”

Old Elk’s Master’s Blend Series will be distributed by Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits and will be a national limited release, available at select retailers in the U.S. with a suggested retail price of $99.99 per 750 ml bottle. For more information, please visit http://www.oldelk.com.

ABOUT OLD ELK DISTILLERY
Rooted in innovation, quality, craftsmanship, and integrity, Old Elk Distillery of Fort Collins, CO was founded in 2013. Founder Curt Richardson’s desire was to create a distinctive portfolio of whiskeys that embodied his passion for whiskey, and he succeeded. In 2016, Greg Metze joined the team as Master Distiller, bringing his 40 years of experience in the whiskey industry to Old Elk. While the signature Old Elk Slow Cut® proofing process takes significantly longer than most recipes, taking the time to proof slowly makes all the difference. The proof is in the liquid. Today, the Old Elk portfolio is available in all 50 states and contains Old Elk Whiskey, including the flagship Blended Straight Bourbon, Whiskeysmith Co.™ Flavored Whiskey, Dry Town® Gin, and Nooku® Bourbon Cream. For more information, please visit http://www.oldelk.com.

Breckenridge Wine Classic, Held in the Heart of the Rockies, Returns this September

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GOLDEN, Colo.  – The Breckenridge Wine Classic tickets are now on sale for the September 15-17 festival. Located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, the Breckenridge Wine Classic is a three-day festival anchored by the two-day Grand Tasting in addition to unique seminars such as a guided hike and pairing with master winemakers, wine dinners planned by world-class sommeliers, and more than 100 wineries, breweries, distilleries, and epicurean purveyors at this ultimate food, wine and sensory experience.

“The Breckenridge Wine Classic is the accessible wine festival with world-class offerings nestled in the mountains that we always wanted to see,” said Breckenridge Wine Classic Festival Events and Marketing Director Kristen Horpedahl. “With pricing starting at $75, it’s an affordable, yet highly desirable destination, for a weekend getaway with friends, bachelorette party, couples’ trip and more.”

The 2022 Breckenridge Wine Classic, celebrating its eighth year, includes:

  • The Grand Tasting, Friday, Sept. 16 and Saturday, Sept. 17: The Classic’s Grand Tasting features an impressive selection of hundreds of domestic and international wines, plus premium craft beer and spirits. In an effort to provide a truly intimate tasting experience for patrons, there will be two sessions of the Grand Tasting. Both sessions feature the same beverages and samples.

  • Pairings & Seminars, all weekend: Ticketed seminars play into a variety of interests and activities. You could take a hike with a winemaker followed by a paired lunch; learn the basics of wine pairing at home; or taste why the wine glass really does make all the difference.

  • Wine dinners, Thursday, Sept. 15: Expertly curated wine dinners and paired lunches will be held at local top dining restaurants across Breckenridge with Master Sommeliers and winemakers.

“Whether you are a full-fledged foodie or an emerging gourmand, you are sure to find more than one event to whet your appetite at the wine classic,” said Slater. “There is something for everyone – from tastings next to a Rocky Mountain backdrop, to deeply educational seminars and luncheons, to outdoor adventures with food and wine influences, there are tastes and temptations at every turn.”

More details regarding the seminars and events will be released closer to the festival. Volunteer applications will open in June.

The Vail Wine Classic Returns August 11-13

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GOLDEN, Colo. – Team Player Productions, producers of world-class food and drink festivals across the country, announces the return of the Vail Wine Classic August 11-13, 2022. The three-day wine destination event of the summer showcases the best wines from around the world to provide an immersive tasting experience that is unparalleled. New to the Classic this year is Best of Fest, a Friday evening event that features exclusive portfolios with 90+ point ratings, reserve bottles, and high end wines. Tickets are via Eventbrite.
“The Vail Wine Classic is the perfect weekend getaway for anyone looking for an elevated wine tasting experience,” says Vail Wine Classic Event Director Kristen Slater. “Beyond the all-inclusive tastings, we’re providing a weekend filled with enticing events that include a sunset tasting featuring high-end wines from the most exclusive portfolios, paired dinners with local chefs, and educational seminars. This is a wine lover’s dream come true!”
Best of Fest (Friday, August 12)
Raise a glass at the Best of Fest as the sun sets over Vail Valley. New to the Classic this year is an intimate event from 7-9:30 p.m. at the Vail Nordic Club (1775 Sunburst Dr. Vail, CO. 81657) that includes carefully selected gems from exclusive portfolios for you to sip, swirl, and savor. Only 90+ point ratings, reserve bottles, and higher price points will make the cut in this unique tasting opportunity where chefs have prepared a menu of small plates with suggested pairings to perfectly compliment your wine collection.
The Best of Fest ($195) ticket allows you to enjoy a curated selection of reserve bottles at the Classic. This all-inclusive access features a tapas style pairing and incredible views of Vail Valley.
The Grand Tasting (Friday and Saturday, August 12 and 13)
Located at Vail Athletic Field (646 Vail Valley Drive, Vail, CO 81657), The Grand Tasting is the crown jewel of the Vail Wine Classic, featuring a diverse and distinctive showcase of wines from around the world. Saunter through an extravagant mountainside tasting while exploring everything from fruit-forward Sauvignon Blancs and Pinot Grigios, to rich Cabernets and Zinfandels. In addition to an impressive, curated selection of domestic and international wines, the Grand Tasting has handcrafted cocktails and local beer. Your all-inclusive ticket includes a full size wine glass for you to take home, small bites, and live music at the event.
The Grand Tasting sessions and ticket types include:
  • Premier Access (starting at $169) from 2-5:30 p.m. Premier Access tickets allow you to be the first to enter the event and imbibe with a limited number of other enthusiasts. Enjoy the first sips of wine and an extra hour at the Classic. 
  • Early Access (starting at $139) from 2:30- 5:30 p.m. Early Access tickets allow you to get ahead of the tasting and enter the Classic before the crowd. Select the perfect table by the band with this limited capacity ticket. 
  • General Admission (starting at $119) from 3-5:30 p.m. This all-inclusive ticket allows you to imbibe in two and half hours of mountainside wine sampling during the Grand Tasting event. 
Wine dinner, paired lunches and seminars will be announced at a later time. For more information about the Vail Wine Classic, visit the website. 
About Vail Wine Classic
Vail Wine Classic brings together master winemakers and enthusiasts for a weekend of elevated sips, from Aug. 11-13, 2022, in stunning Vail, Colo. The weekend-long soiree showcases wine from around the world with a weekend of Grand Tastings, educational seminars, paired wine dinners and more. Vail Wine Classic is produced by Team Player Productions, the architects of Breckenridge Wine Classic, Vail Craft Beer Classic and Denver Burger Battle, among others. For more information, including a full schedule of events, visit www.vailwineclassic.com, or follow @vailwineclassic on Instagram and Facebook.
About Team Player Productions
Founded more than 25 years ago in Denver, Team Player Productions (TPP) has produced and managed more than 400 events around the country, raising more than $2 million for its various nonprofit partners. TPP has created and continues to produce beloved annual events including Vail Wine Classic, Breckenridge Wine Classic and Vail Craft Beer Classic, and adopted others, such as Denver Burger Battle and the Boulder Creek Festival. The company was also the originator of events including Taste of Fort Collins, Steamboat Wine Festival and Park City Food & Wine Classic. TPP consults and produces events for a portfolio of clients as well, such as Goose Island Beer Co., Blue Point Brewing Co., Great Divide Brewing Company, Odell Brewing Company, Red Bull, City of Centennial, Anheuser-Busch, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and City of Littleton. For more information, visit TPPEvents.com, or follow @TPPEvents on Facebook and @TeamPlayerProductions on Instagram.

Distillery 291 Awarded “American Craft Distiller of the Year”

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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. (PRWEB) – Distillery 291 celebrates three prestigious awards from the Icons of Whisky and World Whiskies Awards, including the highly competitive “Craft Producer of the Year” designation. The Colorado Springs-based distillery also took home Best American New Make and Young Spirit for its Fresh Colorado Whiskey and “American Whiskey Brand Ambassador of the Year” for Senior Vice President, Philip Rawleigh.

“These awards are about more than just whiskey– they are a tribute to my amazing team and all their hard work, the miles on the road, stories shared, and memories made over the last ten years. Most importantly it’s a toast to the people who drink our rugged, refined, rebellious Colorado whiskey,” said Michael Myers, owner and founding distiller of 291 Colorado Whiskey.

The judges honored 291 for holding up the tradition of American whiskey while standing apart with their approach to crafting a bold Western whiskey. They also recognized 291 for the third year in a row with the “Best American New Make and Young Spirit” award. The judges noted that the competition was more fierce than ever, especially in the craft category.

“This year’s winners have proven themselves to be a shining light in the industry during tough times. It’s such a pleasure to be able to watch the development of the American whiskey industry and the way that distillers are challenging perceptions, while pushing standards higher and higher,” said Phoebe Calver, editor of American Whiskey Magazine.

Rawleigh, named “American Whiskey Brand Ambassador of the Year,” is now the first craft ambassador to be selected for an Icons Award. “Philip has been by my side since the early days. It’s unbelievable to have the whiskey world recognize his years of hard work and dedication to building the 291 brand in the same year,” said Myers.

About 291 Colorado Whiskey
291 Colorado Whiskey is a uniquely American story – honoring the Western whiskey of a bygone era, 291 is the passion project of a former New York City fashion photographer and was first created in a small basement from a one-of-a-kind still constructed from old copper photographic plates. 291 is Hardmade the Colorado Way®, grain to barrel to bottle, and the distillery’s whiskeys are finished with toasted staves of Colorado aspen trees.

291 has been earning awards and recognition since its first run off the still in 2011. 291 was awarded the World’s Best Wheat Whiskey in 2021 and World’s Best Rye Whiskey in 2018, Best American Wheat in 2021 and our white whiskeys awarded Best American New Make in 2021 and 2020 by the World Whiskies Awards. The distillery has also earned 18 Liquid Gold designations from the Whisky Bible and similar high-altitude recognition from The San Francisco International Spirits Competition, The American Whiskey Masters, The SIP Awards, and numerous other competitions and publications. To learn more about 291 Colorado Whiskey, visit Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube or visit http://www.291coloradowhiskey.com/ http://www.291ColoradoWhiskey.com. Rugged, Refined, Rebellious ®

About Icons of Whisky and World Whiskies Awards
The Icons of Whisky awards are intent on finding the very best people, products and places within the world of whisk(e)y. They celebrate the hard work and ingenuity that goes into every bottle, the stories behind each brand, retailers who open the world up to consumers, and the bars that provide wonderful settings for whisk(e)y lovers to discover new favorites. The World Whiskies Awards are the global awards selecting the very best in all the internationally recognised styles, award and promote the world’s best whiskies to consumers and trade across the globe. For more information visit http://www.worldwhiskiesawards.com.

Whiskeysmith Co. Flavored Whiskey Launches a Variety of Flavors Nationwide

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FORT COLLINS, COLO. (PRWEB) – Whiskeysmith Co., brainchild of Old Elk Distillery in Fort Collins, CO, has launched a line of flavored whiskeys across the United States. Whiskeysmith Flavored Whiskeys are crafted with a backbone of real American whiskey and natural flavors. Each flavor – chocolate, banana, pineapple, blood orange, salted caramel, peach and coconut – acts as a cocktail in a bottle and can be enjoyed on its own, while also adding incredible depth of flavor to any cocktail creation.

Born in a small town, there is nothing “small” about Whiskeysmith’s ambitions. “We are founded in flavor and find comfort in our craft,” says Melinda Maddox, Beverage Director of Whiskeysmith. “Our platform for flavor ideation, combined with handcrafted American whiskey, creates a product that is really unique in the whiskey category.

Our line of Whiskeysmith Flavored Whiskeys offers something for every palate.”

Whiskeysmith’s team are experts in their craft and hail from all corners of the industry. The result is a line of innovative flavored whiskeys sure to shake up any bar. Rooted in passion and innovation, they have created an impressive line of seven flavors, which can be enjoyed neat or impress cocktail enthusiasts with their versatility. “Just add two dashes of your favorite bitters to two ounces of Whiskeysmith Blood Orange and voilà! You have yourself an Old Fashioned,” adds Maddox.

This new line of original flavored whiskeys was carefully selected to capture both the backbone of American whiskey and the complex flavoring through the true essence of the extracts. By tapping the talent of industry experts, Whiskeysmith works continuously to deliver on quality. The result is in the liquid: whiskey with flavors that are true to taste.

ABOUT WHISKEYSMITH CO.
Whiskeysmith Co. Flavored Whiskeys are a delightful combination of real, American whiskey and the essence of fruit and culinary inspired extracts and flavors, offering the true experience of flavor in every sip. Whiskeysmith’s portfolio currently includes chocolate, banana, pineapple, blood orange, salted caramel, peach and coconut.

ABOUT OLD ELK DISTILLERY
Old Elk Distillery crafts remarkably smooth and innovative spirits that transcend tradition. The distillery was founded in Fort Collins, Colorado, in 2013 by serial entrepreneur Curt Richardson. His desire to craft spirits that embody both innovation and legacy led him to create a distinctive portfolio that includes Old Elk Bourbon, Dry Town Gin, and Nooku Bourbon Cream. Today, legendary master distiller Greg Metze leads production for Old Elk Distillery. For more information visit: http://www.oldelk.com

Wine Country Network Launches The 2021 Tequila Mezcal Challenge

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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

Antlers at Vail Announces New Stay and Après-ski Lodging Package Offering Complimentary In-suite Charcuterie and Spirits

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VAIL, COLO. (PRWEB) – Après is that special time after a day on the slopes where you unbuckle the boots, kick back, have a snack and enjoy a favorite beverage while recounting the day’s highlights. The tradition has become an integral part of a Vail, Colorado, ski day and while the look may be a little different this year, the Antlers at Vail hotel is offering a new package that allows guests to create their own more intimate but equally enjoyable end-of-day scene. With the Rooms, Boards and Bottles – Stay and Après package, guests can return after a day of fun in the snow to a private après-ski experience with a chef-prepared charcuterie board and wine or local beer to enjoy in the comfort of their own spacious condominium complete with a crackling gas fireplace, flat screen TV and a private balcony to take in the fresh mountain air and views.

Located close walking distance to Vail’s Eagle Bahn Gondola, the Antlers offers a convenient and amenities-filled option for travelers to stay, play – and now après – in Vail. The individually decorated condominium suites range from studios to four-bedroom units, each featuring a fully equipped kitchen, dining area and a comfy living room space to stretch out in and relax after the best of winter outdoor activities. Antlers Stay and Après guests can enjoy the ultimate in-suite experience with Chef Barry’s fabulous complimentary après-ski charcuterie board, arrayed with a hearty assortment of cheese and meat, chicken and tuna salad, pickles, olives, vegetable crudité, hummus, gluten-free crackers and sliced baguette, all paired with a bottle of wine or six-pack of Colorado craft beer.

Forget fighting for a table or waiting for what feels like an eternity for that well-earned drink. At the Antlers, the après experience begins upon your return to the suite.

And a chance to warm up and soothe sore muscles from a day of Colorado skiing is as close as the Antlers at Vail’s two creekside hot tubs accompanied by the year-round heated outdoor pool.

The new Rooms, Boards and Bottles – Stay and Après package at Antlers at Vail starts at $932 plus tax for three nights in a studio suite (and, as always, NO resort fees). The package is available in any of the Antlers condominiums from studio to four-bedroom, with additional nights available at a 15-20% discount.

Note that Vail skiing is by reservation only for the 2020/21 season, with priority given to Epic Pass holders (day as well as season passes available; check here on Vail.com for info and reservations).

As for guests who wish to enjoy more than one après-ski experience in their private Antlers residence, local restaurants such as Garfinkel’s, with its traditional American pub food, and El Sabor, with authentic Mexican cuisine, will deliver their popular après offerings to the Antlers front desk. Or guests can bring their own fixings to prepare DIY après snacks and meals in the suite’s full kitchen stocked with all the cooking essentials. And share the fun with others using the #AntlersApres hashtag for a chance to win a free night’s stay at the Antlers at Vail.

The Antlers is a notoriously family-friendly hotel (pet-friendly too by advance reservation), so guests can rest assured that the whole crew is welcomed, and the staff goes above and beyond to ensure the comfort and safety of guests with an extraordinary list of amenities and with strict cleaning and safety measures in place.

About Antlers at Vail
The Antlers at Vail offers a relaxed Vail lodging experience in a fabulous mountain setting. In addition to being awarded Vail’s highest-level Platinum lodging rating, the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence and GreenLeader status, Antlers has received a wide range of media coverage, including being named a Sunset “Stellar Pet-Friendly Hotel,” a best place on the planet to “Live (for a While) as a Digital Nomad” by Outside magazine, and family travel blogger kudos as both a “Best Ski Hotel for Families” and a best “Summer Camp for Families.” With condominiums ranging from studio suites to four-bedroom penthouses, every Antlers unit enjoys a fully equipped kitchen, fireplace, balcony and complimentary Wi-Fi and covered parking. The Antlers is once more offering complimentary daily housekeeping for the winter season. For more information as well as any updates on coronavirus protocols visit http://www.antlersvail.com.

“It’s not easy being green”. Sustainable Somm, Brett Zimmerman echoes Jim Henson’s famous quote as he embarks on a journey to help better define “natural” wines and more

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DENVER /PRNewswire/ — We all know the famous song developed by Jim Henson that became Kermit’s catchphrase. Well, this couldn’t ring more true for the wine & spirits industry. Master Sommelier, Brett Zimmerman has always been passionate about digging into the world of sustainable best practices which has led him to embark on a journey to help define what it means to be green. Much of this space is nebulous, self-declared and not entirely regulated making it difficult to quantify and truly understand.

 

Brett will use Sustainable Somm as a platform to share his passion and expertise while educating and bringing together experts from around the world to weigh in and help define what it means to be a natural wine & spirits producer and why it is growing in popularity.

Brett will work alongside the non-profit Clean Label Project towards a clear mission to use science and education to inspire the adoption of socially and environmentally responsible agricultural and production practices.

In today’s unprecedented times, health and wellness is becoming more and more important as an everyday lifestyle choice.  Consumers are becoming more educated about what they are putting into their bodies and are opting for more natural choices from responsible producers.

[“It is time for the beverage alcohol industry to make some changes to benefit the health of consumers – my mission is to educate and inspire people to make these changes.”], “The goal of Sustainable Somm is to provide one place where we can educate about the natural wine & spirits world, share stories and best practices with the help of leading experts including winemakers, scientists, progressive thinkers, innovators, and agents of change to inform consumer purchase decisions and become the trusted source for this information.

For more information, visit: Sustainablesomm.org, follow Sustainable Somm on Facebook: www.facebook.com/sustainablesomm, and Instagram: www.Instagram.com/sustainablesomm

About BRETT ZIMMERMAN, MS
Owner of Boulder Wine Merchant, Executive Director of Clean Label Project Sustainable Somm
Born and raised in Colorado, Brett Zimmerman discovered his passion for wine as a waiter while studying at the University of Colorado. His love of food and wine and high ambition, landed him sommelier positions at the highly acclaimed Charlie Trotter’s in Chicago and celebrated restaurant Aqua, gaining tremendous knowledge along the way. He successfully opened his own restaurant, Mateo in his native state, and after three years, he left the restaurant business to focus on his true passion – fine wine – taking a position as Colorado’s General Manager of the American Fine Wine Division of Southern Wine and Spirits. This dedication to his craft culminated in the spring of 2007, when Zimmerman successfully passed his Masters Examination and earned the highly coveted distinction of Master Sommelier (only 269 hold this certification in across the world).

With MS under his belt, his continued pursuit of passion led him to purchase Boulder Wine Merchant from fellow Master Sommeliers Wayne Belding and Sally Mohr in August 2010.

Zimmerman also serves as a consultant of the Clean Label Project where Sustainable Somm was born.

Master Zimmerman currently lives in Boulder with his wife and co-owner of the Wine Merchant, and their two sons.

About Sustainable Somm
Sustainable Somm was launched in 2020 by Brett Zimmerman and the national non-profit Clean Label Project with the mission of using science and education to inspire the adoption of socially and environmentally responsible agricultural and production practices. www.sustainablesomm.org

About Clean Label Project
Clean Label Project™ is a national non-profit with the mission to bring truth and transparency to food and consumer product labeling. Visit cleanlabelproject.org for more information on Clean Label Project.