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Masters of Taste Returns Uniting L.A.’s Top Tastemakers Together to Sip, Savor & Celebrate On The Field of the Rose Bowl Stadium Sunday, April 2nd, 2023! (Update: use promo code EVESWINE FOR $10 OFF!)

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Los Angeles, CA –  Come celebrate and be part of the sixth annual Masters of Taste, as L.A.’s premier outdoor, luxury food and beverage festival returns and will be taking place on Sunday, April 2nd, 2023, from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm on the field of the Iconic Pasadena Rose Bowl. 100% of the proceeds will directly benefit Union Station Homeless Services, a non-profit organization celebrating 50 years of providing homeless services and housing for thousands of neighbors.

Masters of Taste is introducing Chef Michael Reed and Kwini Reed as Hosts of Masters of Taste 2023 which also marks the 6th Anniversary of this celebrated event. Masters of Taste 2023 Culinary Master and Host Chef Michael Reed is a classically trained chef and restaurateur, who has spent 19 years as a chef for restaurants across New York and Los Angeles. Today, Chef Reed is the co-owner and Executive Chef behind two Los Angeles restaurants, Poppy + Rose of Downtown Los Angeles, and Anaheim’s Poppy & Seed. In addition to the two concepts, Chef Reed and his wife and co-owner, Kiini Reed also run an upscale catering company, Root of All Food. 

Born and raised in Oxnard, California, Chef Michael Reed comes from a family with a passion for food. Thanks to his parents, Michael grew up around the barbeque and the smell of fresh, home-made pies. His family cooked every day, pulling ingredients straight from the garden which went on to inspire Michael’s passion for food and hospitality. After starting down a collegiate path that was separated from the food industry at University of Santa Barbara, a track injury prompted Michael’s decision to make a change. Months later, Michael was enrolled in the Culinary Institute of America in New York. While in culinary school, Michael Reed cooked at The Modern, the acclaimed restaurant at the Museum of Modern Art in Manhattan. After graduating in 2008, Reed returned to Southern California and worked at David Myer’s Michelin-star rated Sona, as well Xiomara per a recommendation from Nancy Silverton at the age of 26. In 2011, Chef Reed and Kwini Reed jointly created high-end catering company, Root of All Food which specializes in high-end boutique catering, in-home cooking and events, and catering to Southern California. Some of Root to All Food’s previous clients have included Gwen Stefani, Gavin Rossdale, The W Hotel, and Sugar Ray Leonard. During the summer of 2014, Reed opened DTLA brunch darling, Poppy + Rose, a restaurant that specializes in classic American diner-fare made from scratch with a seasonal menu. He owns the restaurant alongside his wife, Kwini Reed. In 2021, Poppy & Seed opened, branching more upscale service and cuisine in a modern greenhouse setting. Located in the Anaheim Packing District, Poppy & Seed totes a menu of refined American fare.

Host Kwini Reed is a Southern California native, wife, mother, and entrepreneur. She is the co-owner of brunch restaurant, Poppy + Rose in Downtown, Los Angeles, Anaheim dining destination, Poppy & Seed, and upscale catering company, Root of All Foods with husband and chef of these concepts, Michael Reed. Kwini Reed comes from a large family that values community, generosity, and a strong work ethic – traits that have helped her succeed in her career and personal endeavors. A graduate of California State University, Fullerton with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing, she now has over a decade of experience in business, finance, and human resource management, having worked at companies throughout LA, including The Standard Hotel, Band of Gypsies, and Brandy Melville USA. In her current day-to-day, she oversees operations of Poppy + Rose, Poppy & Seed, and Root of All Food managing finances, strategizing new concepts for the restaurant, spearheading collaborations, and more. She and Michael Reed have received numerous accolades for these concepts, including Orange Coast Magazine’s “Best New Restaurant” (Poppy & Seed); and CBS Los Angeles’ “Best All-Day Breakfast Restaurants in LA” (Poppy + Rose) – among others. She pioneers Poppy + Rose and Poppy & Seed’s giving back initiatives as well, coordinating meal donations to organizations across LA, supporting first responders, social justice causes, youth development programs, and more. She is active with local nonprofits, such as Brown Bag Lady, which provides meals to people experiencing homelessness in LA. In addition, she participated in the James Beard Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership (WEL) program in 2021, which is focused on empowering women food industry entrepreneurs and restaurant owners and is a member of Re:Her a non-profit with a mission to empower and advance all women identifying food and drink entrepreneurs by way of innovative platforms. In October 2022, Kwini Reed participated in the LA Chef Conference as a co-moderator of a panel on the future of restaurants and in 2023, Kwini and Michael Reed will open Poppy + Rose in San Pedro, offering casual brunch and a refined dinner menu.

Masters of Taste 2022 was a sold-out event that attracted over 3,000 guests and garnered media attention all throughout Southern California and beyond. The sixth annual Masters of Taste 2023 is also expected to bring over 3,000 food and beverage enthusiasts together for one afternoon to celebrate this exhilarating festival, which will include the finest fare from over 100 Culinary Masters and restaurants, delectable sweets prepared by L.A.’s top Sweet Masters, top Beverage Masters who will be featuring signature handcrafted cocktail tastings from over 25 spirit brands and top cocktail bars, a premier 50-Yard-Line Cocktail Bar, select wineries, local craft breweries, cold-pressed juices, cold brew coffee, live entertainment and much, much more. 

Some of this year’s Masters of Taste 2023 participating Culinary Masters and Restaurants include:

Poppy + Rose and Poppy & Seed 2023 Hosts Chef Michael Reed & Kwini Reed – Downtown Los Angeles, Anaheim

Angelenos’ Wood Fired Pizza Chef Carmen Samaniego – Los Angeles

Arth Bar + Kitchen Chef Mihir Lad – Culver City

Ayara Thai Chef Vanda Asapahu – Westchester

1212 Santa Monica Chef Luca Maita – Santa Monica

Agnes Restaurant and Cheesery Chef Thomas Kalb – Pasadena

Alexander’s Steakhouse Chef Richard Archuleta – Pasadena

Casa Cordoba Chef Rebelino Villalta – Montrose

Celestino Ristorante Chef Calogero Drago – Pasadena

Champion’s CURRY Chef Yoya Takahashi – Downtown Los Angeles

Chili John’s Chef Stephen Hager – Burbank

City Club Los Angeles Chef Victor Munoz – Downtown Los Angeles

Fat Boys Chef Michael Gray – Pasadena, Los Angeles

Gabi James Sarah Gabriele & Adam Aro – Redondo Beach

Georgia’s Restaurant Nika Shoemaker-Machado – Anaheim, Long Beach

Great Maple Chef Scott Floyd – Pasadena, Anaheim, Newport Beach, San Diego

Gus’s World-Famous Fried Chicken – Burbank, Long Beach, Los Angeles

Hank’s Chef Isaias Peña – Pacific Palisades

Interstellar Chef Angie Kim – Santa Monica

La Bohéme Chef Atsushi Kenjo – West Hollywood

Lunasia Chef Lee Han Fu – Pasadena, Alhambra, Cerritos

Marlou Chef Louis Huh & Chef Marcos Spaziani – Downtown Los Angeles, Koreatown

Mercado Chef Jose Acevedo – Hollywood, Los Angeles, Manhattan Beach, Pasadena, Santa Monica

Per L’Ora Chef Courtney Van Dyke – Downtown Los Angeles

Pez Cantina Chef Bret Thompson – Downtown Los Angeles

Ramen Tatsunoya Chef Ryuta Kajiwara – Pasadena, Silver Lake

Santuari Restaurant Chef Seth Greenburg – Toluca Lake

Smoke City Char Bar Chef George Huynh – Downtown Los Angeles

Soulmate Chef David Joyce – West Hollywood

Taishi Hainan Chicken Chef Theo Shio – Redondo Beach, Long Beach

The Green Room Chef Czarina Sico – Burbank

The Peppered Goat Chef JohnPaul Arabome – Van Nuys, Las Vegas

VCHOS Wendy Centeno – Los Angeles

West Side Bahn Mi/Street Kitchen Chef Jack Ourfalian – Los Angeles

World Empanadas Chef Matthew Hirtz – Burbank

Yardbird Chef Eduardo Osorio – Los Angeles

Yuca’s Restaurant Socorro “Mama Yuca’s” Herrera– Pasadena

Sweet Masters: A select group of Los Angeles Top Sweet Masters will showcase an assortment of delectable desserts such as Bertha Mae’s Brownies, handcrafted pudding from Better Together Sweets, Creamy Boys Ice Cream, plain funnel cake from Drizzle, custom cakes and desserts from Butter Cake Shoppe, French macarons and gourmet cookies from Etoile Filante Patisserie, I Like Pie Bakeshop, Läderach Chocolatier Suisse, deliciously scrumptious scratch baked custom cakes and cupcakes from Lark Cake Shop and Nothing Bundt Cakes, Nomad Ice Pops, Pazzo Gelato, Porto’s Bakery & Café, and more.

Some of this year’s participating Beverage Masters include:

Bars & Spirits: Some of L.A.’s top bartenders and cocktail bars will be creating first-rate craft cocktails and top brands showcasing their finest spirits at Masters of Taste will include Amaro Angeleno, Beam Suntory, Dulce Vida Tequila, Empress 1908 Gin, Knox & Dobson, Krafted Spirits, Maker’s Mark, Maple Block Liquor Bar, Mario’s Hard Espresso, Mezcal 33, Mi Piace, Neft Vodka, Nosotros Tequila & Mezcal, Qué Padre, Raicilla La Reina, Smoke Lab Vodka, Tequila Juegos Mexicanos, The Raymond 1886, Xoloitzcuintle Tequila, and  Woodford Reserve.

Brewmasters: Beverage Masters who specialize in barley and hops will be presenting top-notch ales, lagers, pilsners and more for guests to sample, sip and savor all throughout the event, including Southern California favorites 14 Cannons Brewing Co., L.A.’s All Season Brewing, Arrow Lodge Brewing, Arts District Brewing Company, Pasadena’s Cerveceria Del Pueblo, Downtown’s Homebound Brew Haus, Juneshine, Kanazawa Hyakumangoku Beer, LFG Seltzer, MacLeod Ale Brewing Co., Arcadia’s first Microbrewery Mt. Lowe Brewing Co.,Native Son LA, Over Town Brewing Co., San Fernando Brewing Co., andTarantula Hill Brewing Co.

Wineries and Sake: A specially curated collection of Wine and Sake Masters will be showcasing their finest varietals including Akagisan Sake, premium boutique winery Ascension Cellars, Bodegas de Santo Tomas, CRŪ Winery, Golden Star Vineyards, Hitching Post Wines, I Love Wine Collections, Moraga Bel Air Vineyards, Anderson Valley’s Navarro Vineyards, Sake High!, Tercero Wines, Veso Aperitifs, Vincola Casta de Vinos, Warson Wine Company, and more.

Non-Alcoholic Beverages: A variety of premium non-alcoholic Beverage Masters will also be on hand for those who wish to hydrate, caffeinate or regenerate with All Phenoms, Yerba Mate from Erva Brew Co., Humm Kombucha, fresh juices from Summit Juice Co., and boba milk tea from Sunright Tea Studio and Bearology, and more.

100% of the proceeds from Masters of Taste 2023 will directly benefit Union Station Homeless Services, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is celebrating its 50th anniversary of bringing neighbors home. Committed to providing permanent solutions to end homelessness and rebuild lives, Union Station works with unsheltered and very low-income adults and families across the San Gabriel Valley. Recently expanding  into El Sereno and Eagle Rock, Union Station Homeless Services is the lead County agency for Service Planning Area 3 (SPA 3), coordinating homeless services in 36 communities spanning from Pasadena to Pomona. Union Station Homeless Services’ mission is guided by the belief that everyone deserves a life of dignity and a place to call home. In the last five years Masters of Taste has raised over $2.7 Million in support of Union Station Homeless Services life-saving programs.

Masters of Taste 2023 is a 100% outdoor event. Additionally, all guests will be receiving their very own utensils and hand sanitizer to use throughout the event.

Mark your calendars and see you at the sixth annual Masters of Taste 2023!

Ticket Information: Masters of Taste 2023 will take place on Sunday, April 2nd, 2023, and this is a 21+ event. A VIP Power Hour will be held from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm and General Admission will be from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. For more information on Masters of Taste 2023, please visit www.MastersofTasteLA.com.

Transportation and Parking: Guests are encouraged to utilize car services – Lyft, Uber, Taxi, etc. – since this event does serve alcoholic beverages and is a 21+ and over event. Complimentary parking is also available at the Rose Bowl.

Follow Masters of Taste for the latest updates:

Facebook:   @MastersofTaste

Instagram:  @mastersoftaste

‘INTERNATIONAL VOLCANIC WINE CONFERENCE’ RETURNS TO NEW YORK CITY ON JUNE 21st 2023

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NEW YORK (PRWEB) – John Szabo, Master Sommelier and award-winning author, in concert with Volcanic Wines International (VWI) are proud to announce the return of the ‘International Volcanic Wine Conference (IVWC)’, which will take place in New York City on June 21st 2023. The event follows the highly successful previous editions, held in March 2018 and in June 2019, and Szabo’s acclaimed book on the subject, ‘Volcanic Wines: Salt, Grit and Power,’ published in 2016.

Volcanic Wines International was established in 2018 in order to promote the establishment of a Volcanic Wines Movement and provide educational and promotional opportunities for volcanic wine producers internationally. The first two editions of International Volcanic Wine Conference (IVWC), organized by Volcanic Wines International were a catalyst and facilitator in bringing together the world’s volcanic regions. The success of the events has led to the creation of a “Volcanic Wine Brand,” defined as a unique category of wines produced under some of the most extreme viticultural conditions on the planet. Volcanic Wines International also plans to establish the volcanic wine brand as a premium category of high-quality wines with a true sense of place.

“Wines from volcanic soils have captured the attention of wine media and industry professionals as well as educated wine lovers in recent years,” commented Gino Colangelo, president of Colangelo & Partners. “They have been featured in countless influential publications – The New York Times, The Guardian, Decanter, Wine & Spirits Magazine, The Drinks Business, Gault Millau and JancisRobinson.com among others -, while sommeliers have embraced their distinctive characteristics.”

A first-of-its-kind, the 2018 conference brought together producers from all over the world, helping raise the profile of volcanic wines. It was held exclusively for qualifying wine trade and media, with 300 industry professionals in attendance at the event. During the conference, guests were able to sample wines from over 50 wineries representing 16 different volcanic wine regions, and engage with some of the world’s leading volcanic wine experts.

The 2019 edition brought together over 60 wineries from 30 different wine regions and attracted more than 300 attendees among distributors, importers, sommeliers, journalists, influencers and wine consultants.

“The pandemic has forced us to momentarily suspend our in-person events, but our work of research and of understanding of the complex world of volcanic wines has never ceased,” said award-winning author and Master Sommelier John Szabo “This year’s conference will be the perfect opportunity to introduce new volcanic regions and continue our mission to define and elevate the volcanic wines category in the eyes, and palates, of industry professionals and wine lovers.”

The first and second editions have also represented the ideal opportunity to host eight Masterclasses led by John Szabo MS, as well as eminent professors and regional representatives. Sponsored by the participants, these tasting seminars aimed at educating the audience about the nuances of volcanic wines and deepening the knowledge of the most unique volcanic regions of the world, highlight what differentiates each and every area and what unites them. They also provide participants with the unprecedented opportunity to taste a vast collection of wines from volcanic soils, with producers on hand to further explain their unique attributes.

Additional details regarding the 2023 conference, including confirmed participants and seminar schedules, will be announced in the following months.

For more information and latest updates, be sure to visit the Volcanic Wines International official website http://www.volcanicwinesinternational.com, as well as following the VWI’s Facebook (Volcanic Wines International) and Instagram (@volcanicwines_intl) pages.

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About John Szabo
Master Sommelier John Szabo was the first Canadian to add the “MS” after his name in 2004. He holds the international Wine & Spirits Education Trust Diploma with honors, as well as the Canadian Sommelier Guild diploma. He’s principal critic for WineAlign.com, Canada’s premiere wine resource, and co-host and producer of the podcast Wine Thieves with a global following in the trade. He contributes to many international trade and consumer publications and is currently co-writing a book on wine chemistry. He is a regular guest speaker at events worldwide and has traveled to virtually every wine producing country on earth, (volcanic and otherwise!) in pursuit of fine wine and to keep on top of this fascinating industry. In his spare time, he tends to his new vineyard in Prince Edward County, Ontario.

About Volcanic Wines International (VWI)
The mission of Volcanic Wines International is to take the leading role in defining and establishing a Volcanic Wine Movement, and to provide educational and promotional opportunities for volcanic wine producers internationally. Volcanic Wines International also plans to establish the volcanic wine brand as a premium category of high quality wines with a true sense of place.

Wine Spectator Unveils 2022 WINE VALUE OF THE YEAR

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New York, NY —Wine Spectator, the world’s leading authority on wine, has unveiled its Top 10 Wine Values of 2022, with Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2019 taking top honors as the Wine Value of the Year. At a $33 price point, the bottle offers consumers an entrée to a historic winery whose roots lie in a four-acre estate in the heart of Rutherford.

Spotlighting the best-priced wines of the year, the list features bottles that are rated 90 points or higher on Wine Spectator’s 100-point scale, cost $40 or less and are made in large enough quantities to be widely available. 

“The thrill of trying something new is one of the many pleasures of wine, and as quality has risen across the globe, it’s easier than ever to find a wine you love,” said Marvin R. Shanken, editor and publisher, Wine Spectator. “This means that well-priced wines from California to Italy to Argentina offer some of the special qualities that distinguish their pricier counterparts.”

The Top 10 Wine Values of 2022 are:

  1. Beaulieu Vineyard | Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2019 | 92 points | $33 | 44,700 Cases Made | California
  2. Decoy | Limited Red Napa Valley 2019 | 91 points | $30 | 32,500 Cases Made | California
  3. Antinori | Toscana Villa Antinori 2019 | 90 points | $20 | 80,000 Cases Imported | Italy
  4. Bodegas Marqués de Murrieta | Rioja Finca Ygay Reserva 2018 | 91 points | $32 | 14,000 Cases Imported | Spain
  5. Joel Gott | Sauvignon Blanc California 2021 | 91 points | $16 | 92,000 Cases Made | California
  6. Domaine Bousquet | Malbec Tupungato 2021 | 90 points | $13 | 49,122 Cases Imported | Argentina
  7. Mumm Napa | Brut Napa County Prestige NV | 90 points | $24 | 220,000 Cases Made | California 
  8. Kendall Jackson | Merlot Sonoma County Vitner’s Reserve 2019 | 90 points | $24 | 50,000 Cases Made | California
  9. Montinore | Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Red Cap 2019 | 90 points | $25 | 19,849 Cases Made | Oregon
  10. Drouhin | Chablis 2020 | 90 points | $27 | 19,000 Cases Imported | France

The full Top 10 Wine Values List can be found at WineSpectator.com, and in the February issue of Wine Spectator.

About Wine Spectator

Wine Spectator is the world’s leading authority on wine. Anchored by Wine Spectator magazine, a print publication that reaches around 3 million readers worldwide, the brand also encompasses the Web’s most comprehensive wine site (WineSpectator.com), mobile platforms and a series of signature events. Wine Spectator examines the world of wine from the vineyard to the table, exploring wine’s role in contemporary culture and delivering expert reviews. Parent company M. Shanken Communications, Inc., also publishes Cigar Aficionado, Whisky Advocate, Market Watch, Shanken News Daily and Shanken’s Impact Newsletter.

Masters of Taste Returns Introducing Chef Michael And Kwini Reed As 2023 Event Hosts Uniting L.A.’s Top Tastemakers Together to Sip, Savor & Celebrate On The Field of the Pasadena Rose Bowl Stadium Sunday, April 2nd, 2023

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(Los Angeles, CA): Come celebrate and be part of the sixth annual Masters of Taste, as L.A.’s premier outdoor, luxury food and beverage festival returns and will be taking place on Sunday, April 2nd, 2023, from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm on the field of the Iconic Pasadena Rose Bowl. 100% of the proceeds will directly benefit Union Station Homeless Services, a non-profit organization celebrating 50 years of providing homeless services and housing for thousands of neighbors.

Masters of Taste is introducing Chef Michael Reed and Kwini Reed as Hosts of Masters of Taste 2023 which also marks the 6th Anniversary of this celebrated event. Masters of Taste 2023 Culinary Master and Host Chef Michael Reed is a classically trained chef and restaurateur, who has spent 19 years as a chef for restaurants across New York and Los Angeles. Today, Chef Reed is the co-owner and Executive Chef behind two Los Angeles restaurants, Poppy + Rose of Downtown Los Angeles, and Anaheim’s Poppy & Seed. In addition to the two concepts, Chef Reed and his wife and co-owner, Kiini Reed also run an upscale catering company, Root of All Food. 

Born and raised in Oxnard, California, Chef Michael Reed comes from a family with a passion for food. Thanks to his parents, Michael grew up around the barbeque and the smell of fresh, home-made pies. His family cooked every day, pulling ingredients straight from the garden which went on to inspire Michael’s passion for food and hospitality. After starting down a collegiate path that was separated from the food industry at University of Santa Barbara, a track injury prompted Michael’s decision to make a change. Months later, Michael was enrolled in the Culinary Institute of America in New York. While in culinary school, Michael Reed cooked at The Modern, the acclaimed restaurant at the Museum of Modern Art in Manhattan. After graduating in 2008, Reed returned to Southern California and worked at David Myer’s Michelin-star rated Sona, as well Xiomara per a recommendation from Nancy Silverton at the age of 26. In 2011, Chef Reed and Kwini Reed jointly created high-end catering company, Root of All Food which specializes in high-end boutique catering, in-home cooking and events, and catering to Southern California. Some of Root to All Food’s previous clients have included Gwen Stefani, Gavin Rossdale, The W Hotel, and Sugar Ray Leonard. During the summer of 2014, Reed opened DTLA brunch darling, Poppy + Rose, a restaurant that specializes in classic American diner-fare made from scratch with a seasonal menu. He owns the restaurant alongside his wife, Kwini Reed. In 2021, Poppy & Seed opened, branching more upscale service and cuisine in a modern greenhouse setting. Located in the Anaheim Packing District, Poppy & Seed totes a menu of refined American fare.

Host Kwini Reed is a Southern California native, wife, mother, and entrepreneur. She is the co-owner of brunch restaurant, Poppy + Rose in Downtown, Los Angeles, Anaheim dining destination, Poppy & Seed, and upscale catering company, Root of All Foods with husband and chef of these concepts, Michael Reed. Kwini Reed comes from a large family that values community, generosity, and a strong work ethic – traits that have helped her succeed in her career and personal endeavors. A graduate of California State University, Fullerton with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing, she now has over a decade of experience in business, finance, and human resource management, having worked at companies throughout LA, including The Standard Hotel, Band of Gypsies, and Brandy Melville USA. In her current day-to-day, she oversees operations of Poppy + Rose, Poppy & Seed, and Root of All Food managing finances, strategizing new concepts for the restaurant, spearheading collaborations, and more. She and Michael Reed have received numerous accolades for these concepts, including Orange Coast Magazine’s “Best New Restaurant” (Poppy & Seed); and CBS Los Angeles’ “Best All-Day Breakfast Restaurants in LA” (Poppy + Rose) – among others. She pioneers Poppy + Rose and Poppy & Seed’s giving back initiatives as well, coordinating meal donations to organizations across LA, supporting first responders, social justice causes, youth development programs, and more. She is active with local nonprofits, such as Brown Bag Lady, which provides meals to people experiencing homelessness in LA. In addition, she participated in the James Beard Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership (WEL) program in 2021, which is focused on empowering women food industry entrepreneurs and restaurant owners and is a member of Re:Her a non-profit with a mission to empower and advance all women identifying food and drink entrepreneurs by way of innovative platforms. In October 2022, Kwini Reed participated in the LA Chef Conference as a co-moderator of a panel on the future of restaurants and in 2023, Kwini and Michael Reed will open Poppy + Rose in San Pedro, offering casual brunch and a refined dinner menu.

Masters of Taste 2022 was a sold-out event that attracted over 3,000 guests and garnered media attention all throughout Southern California and beyond. The sixth annual Masters of Taste 2023 is also expected to bring over 3,000 food and beverage enthusiasts together for one afternoon to celebrate this exhilarating festival, which will include the finest fare from over 100 Culinary Masters and restaurants, delectable sweets prepared by L.A.’s top Sweet Masters, top Beverage Masters who will be featuring signature handcrafted cocktail tastings from over 25 spirit brands and top cocktail bars, a premier 50-Yard-Line Cocktail Bar, select wineries, local craft breweries, cold-pressed juices, cold brew coffee, live entertainment and much, much more. 

100% of the proceeds from Masters of Taste 2023 will directly benefit Union Station Homeless Services, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is celebrating its 50th anniversary of bringing neighbors home. Committed to providing permanent solutions to end homelessness and rebuild lives, Union Station works with unsheltered and very low-income adults and families across the San Gabriel Valley. Recently expanding  into El Sereno and Eagle Rock, Union Station Homeless Services is the lead County agency for Service Planning Area 3 (SPA 3), coordinating homeless services in 36 communities spanning from Pasadena to Pomona. Union Station Homeless Services’ mission is guided by the belief that everyone deserves a life of dignity and a place to call home. In the last five years Masters of Taste has raised over $2.7 Million in support of Union Station Homeless Services life-saving programs.

Masters of Taste 2023 is a 100% outdoor event. Additionally, all guests will be receiving their very own utensils and hand sanitizer to use throughout the event.

Mark your calendars and save-the-date for the return of the sixth annual Masters of Taste 2023!

Ticket Information: Masters of Taste 2023 will take place on Sunday, April 2nd, 2023, and this is a 21+ event. A VIP Power Hour will be held from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm and General Admission will be from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Tickets went on sale Monday, January 2nd, 2023. For more information on Masters of Taste 2023, please visit www.MastersofTasteLA.com.

Slow Wine Announces its 2023 US Tour, Welcoming New Wineries from Italy and the United States

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NEW YORK (PRWEB) – The acclaimed Italian wine organization, Slow Wine, announces the return of its annual multi-city event series in the United States. The series celebrates the publication of the international 2023 Slow Wine Guide, which originated in Italy as the sustainable beverage branch of the Slow Food movement. Events will be held in San Francisco, Seattle, Dallas, Miami and New York between March 6th and March 14th, 2023.

“The Guide’s Italian and American wine sections continue to grow substantially, as more environmentally-focused wine producers join their peers in the Slow Wine movement and consumers, who are becoming increasingly interested in sustainable products especially after Covid, look for a tool to supports their research for organic wineries and wines,” discloses Editor in Chief, Giancarlo Gariglio. Over 2000 Italian producers are featured in the Guide this year and Slow Wine’s United States membership has also grown significantly, guided by US National Editor and esteemed wine educator, Deborah Parker Wong, and her team of dedicated field coordinators. “From the 2021 edition, the United States portion of the Guide stands on its own as an individual publication, separate from the Italian wineries, boasting 289 wineries from California, Oregon, Washington and New York” explains Parker Wong. 

The 2023 guide will be available online making it possible for consumers to source wine directly from wineries that prioritize land stewardship among their sustainability efforts, said Parker Wong According to the San Francisco Chronicle’s Esther Mobley, The Slow Wine Guide is the best resource she can recommend for locating wines that are grown without the use of synthetic herbicide.”By connecting our wineries with like-minded consumers, we’re making it easier for them to locate and support Slow Wine producers.”

The Slow Wine Tour will be back on the road in the United States in early 2023. The tasting events will showcase wineries from both Italy and the United States, welcoming hundreds of wine professionals in San Francisco (March 6th), Seattle (March 7th), Dallas (March 9th), Miami (March 13th) and New York (March 14th). 

The mission of Slow Wine, a non-profit organization, is to promote “good and fair” wines, in a time when climate change has never been more evident nor more threatening to winegrowers and winery owners. In a further commitment to sustainable agriculture, Slow Wine partner wineries have signed a Manifesto created by the Slow Wine Coalition, a united global network of wine industry members who are dedicated to supporting a wine revolution driven by environmental sustainability, protection of the land, and rural, social, and cultural growth. 

In an effort to modernize the Guide and create additional transparency between the wineries and consumers, the 2023 Slow Wine Guide now features unique QR codes for select wineries, which direct readers to video interviews with the winemakers and the Slow Wine editorial team.

About Slow Wine 
The Slow Wine Guide evaluates over 2,000 Italian wineries, and over 289 American – including a small selection from Slovenia – and treats each with the utmost respect and attention. The Slow Wine team prides itself on the human contact it has with all producers, which is essential to the guide’s evaluations. While other guides limit their relationship to a blind tasting and brief write-up, Slow Wine takes the time to get personal with each winery in order to create a well-informed, detailed review of the wines themselves and the people behind the production. Slow Wine selects wineries that respect and reflect their local terroir and practice sustainable methods that benefit the environment. For the first time ever, those wineries that receive the snail or the official Slow Wine seal are 100% free of chemical herbicides, a quality that the Slow Wine Guide continues to passionately support.

About Colangelo & Partners 
Colangelo & Partners specializes in premium food, wine and spirits brands, and has long-established relationships with the key press that drive these business categories and help determine the industry leaders. Agency principals have years of experience in retail and distribution as well as communications, a rare combination that gives Colangelo & Partners invaluable insights into consumer purchasing behavior. The agency focuses on “closing the loop” between creative communications programs, distribution, promotion, publicity and the consumer in order to maximize the efficiency of its communications programs and deliver measurable results. http://www.colangelopr.com

17th Annual Kosher Food and Wine Experience (kfwe.com) at Chelsea Piers in NYC, Monday February 6, 2023

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The KFWE is the destination for wine and food lovers alike, affording an opportunity to be among the first to taste some of the finest wines and spirits – more than 400 brands & 1000’s of bottles – along with mouthwatering and on-trend cuisine from the kitchens of today’s top kosher chefs, restaurants, specialty food companies and caterers.

Sip and savor hundreds of wines from around the world – from Bordeaux to Barcelona and Torino to Tel Aviv – along with some of the best wines from Europe and the Mediterranean. Also enjoy wines from New Zealand, Australia, California and Argentina among many other areas producing fine wines. Many of the top winemakers will be on hand as well. 

The event will preview new wines for PASSOVER 2023.

General Admission –  $160.76 incl. fees
VIP Guests –  $240.33 incl. fees

(VIP guests will enjoy exclusive amenities including an exclusive selection of curated wines and spirits as well as a mouthwatering menu catered by Reserve Cut)

KFWE Goes Global – The Kosher Food & Wine Experience travels across the U.S. A. and Europe to present the finest kosher wine and spirits the world has to offer. Stay tuned for more locations and dates!; KFWE LA:  02/08/23

WINE PARIS AND VINEXPO PARIS 2023, AN INTERNATIONAL MILESTONE

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Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris returns in 2023 from February 13th– 15th  at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. Four months ahead of the 4th edition, Vinexposium is preparing for its signature event, aiming to enhance the business experience for attendees and resonate with the entire community of wine and spirits professionals.

Following a very successful event in 2022, Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris 2023 solidifies its role as the international show for wines and spirits at a key moment in the calendar year, and in an ideal location in the heart of Europe. The high expectations voiced for the forthcoming edition, with even greater overseas representation expected, are echoed in the registration numbers– over 98% of producers have already signed up for the event.

WINE PARIS & VINEXPO PARIS, THE GLOBAL MARKETPLACE

In 2023, significant emphasis will be placed on welcoming international visitors and producers, with over 52 wine producing countries attending the exhibition. In 2022, over 25,000 visitors came to the show. More are expected this year. 

Noteworthy international pavilions include the United States, making a big comeback in Paris (with delegations from California, Oregon, New York and Washington) as well as attendance by Argentina, Japan, Canada, Germany, Austria, Greece, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Portugal, Switzerland, Belgium to name a few. Many other international companies will be presenting their products, including VSPT Wine Group from Chile; ViniPortugal for Portugal as well as IVDP (Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e Porto) l exhibiting for the first time in Paris; Viña Costeira, Bodegas Medrano Irazu, Bodegas Franco Española, Dominio de Punctum, Bodegas Raíces Ibéricas and Very Fine Vinos from Spain and Matteo Colla-Wines from Piedmont, Area 39 and Consorzio Tutela del Vino Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco representing Italy.

BRINGING TOGETHER ALL FRENCH WINE REGIONS

French wine promotional agencies are determined to make a strong showing, with all of the winegrowing regions present under one roof at this year’s show.  The regions will feature independent winegrowers  exhibiting alongside prominent industry players, representing wines from :

  • Alsace (Alsace Frey-Sohler, Henri Ehrart),
  • Beaujolais (Maison Jean Loron, Les vins Aujoux),
  • Bordeaux (Duclot, Domaine Barons de Rothschild-Lafite, New Aquitaine organic winegrowers),
  • Burgundy (Diva Domaines & Distillerie, Paquet Montagnac),
  • Languedoc-Roussillon (Gérard Bertrand, Vignobles Jeanjean, Moulin de Gassac),
  • Loire (Orchidées Maisons de vin, Domaine de Bois Mozé),
  • Champagne (Champagne Mailly Grand Cru, Champagne Palmer & Co, Champagne Gratiot & Cie, Champagne Lallier, Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte)
  • and the Rhone Valley (Famille Ravoire, Domaines Aimé Arnoux).

  • More information on the exhibitors online here.

A FOCUS ON SPIRITS

In addition to wines, the Be Spirits area will highlight spirits and craft drinks from all backgrounds, ranging from craft distillers to household brands and featuring diverse selections, from hard tea to infused rum. Participants will include international spirits, such as Eyland Spirits and its Icelandic gin Olafsson, whisky, rum and vodka from Canada with Notaboo and Japanese sake and shochu with the Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association along with American ready-to-drink Slim Chillers.

French spirits will also enjoy a share of the limelight with attendance by the National Armagnac Bureau, Cognac with Château Montifaud, craft cream liqueurs with La Mentheuse, and whisky by La Distillerie Warenghem.

Discover the full selection of spirit producers exhibiting at the show.

Designed to showcase the creative genius of the top mixologists, the Infinite Bar will host 10 Parisian bars, 5 bars from French regions and 5 European bars this year behind an imposing 40-meter long bar.

Behind the Wine: Story of Soil By Dawn Abasta

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Jessica Gasca’s journey to winemaker started out in unfamiliar territory. She is a native Californian but had ventured out to New York to explore her options. She worked in a French restaurant there and learned from their onsite sommelier who offered regular classes on wine. Jessica fell in love with everything about wine but she did not love the New York weather so she came back to California and continued her education. She read everything she could get her hands on, did tons of research and when she felt she was ready she reached out to her uncle Gary Burk who founded Costa De Oro Winery. She interned for him at the winery during harvest. Jessica loved the magic around harvest. She continued to learn everything she could, hands on and in the dirt.

She began saving all her pennies to buy one ton of Pinot and two tons of Syrah and in 2012 she made her first wines: a Gold Coast Vineyard Pinot and Larner Vineyard Syrah. These were released in 2015 making her one of the only female Latina winemakers in Santa Barbara. She now sources most of her wines from all over Santa Barbara County including Ballard, Santa Rita Hills, Santa Maria and Happy Canyon. She believes that wine is about the place it’s grown and the land it’s grown on. Thus, her winery name Story of Soil.

When asked what skills a winemaker should cultivate, Jessica said flexibility and patience. She endeavors to keep her wine in its truest form possible without additives. The result is a beautiful and delicious wine.

I asked her who influenced her along her journey and she said her Uncle was her mentor. She was also inspired and influenced by Jim Clendenen who helped her with her initial process and Amy Christine who is a Master of Wine and a wealth of knowledge. She advises that if you would like to get into the wine business, that you should reach out to your known sources and ask questions, get involved, taste more and most importantly don’t be afraid to take the leap of faith and follow your gut. When asked what the most rewarding thing about being a winemaker was she said it was being outside in nature every day. “The vineyard is my church”!

Prior to our interview I had been reviewing the Story of Soil Facebook page and noted that the team at Story of Soil starts every day with a motivational quote. I asked her which one meant the most to her. She answered, “Having a kind smile can go a long way.” She honestly believes that to be graceful in all things is important. You do not know what someone else is going through so smile, you might just turn their day around.

Jessica’s second passion is the Santa Barbara Vintners Foundation. As current President she is trying to help get a healthcare program together for vineyard workers. In 2021 she and the foundation helped get 1,000 vineyard workers vaccinated. They have also helped open Los Alamos Health Centers. To find out more about the foundation go to: http://www.sbvf.org/home.html

I have been to Story of Soil numerous times and I make sure to keep their pinot in my wine fridge. If you haven’t gone out to the Los Olivos area, be sure to add it to your next wine tasting trip. Story of Soil is located at 2928 San Marcos Ave, Los Olivos, CA 93441.

Registration opens for Vinexpo America and Drinks America 2023

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PORTLAND, Maine – Registration has kicked off for Vinexpo America and Drinks America following a successful 2022 debut for the two co-located events, which unite the global beverage alcohol industry. The leading international exhibition for wine and spirits professionals in North America will return to the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center’s new exhibit Hall 3 in New York March 8-9, 2023. Next year’s program will build on the momentum of 2022, which drew more than 380 exhibitors representing the products of 30 countries. Planning for the co-located programs is well under way, and a new member of the Vinexpo America and Drinks America Advisory Board is in the mix. Robert Tobiassen, president of National Association of Beverage Importers, Inc., has joined the prestigious panel, now comprised of 13 esteemed executives from the beverage alcohol industry. Registration for attendees is now open, with an early bird rate offered through March 7.

Where the Wine, Beer, and Spirits World Meets in North America

North America’s premier trade-only expos will provide U.S. and Canadian buyers and decision makers with access to new and established brands looking to enter and expand in the North American market, and the opportunity to discuss products and conduct business in one location. Vinexpo America focuses exclusively on wines from around the world and Drinks America features spirits, beer, sake, ready-to-drink, and related products and services. Attendees will have full access to both events. The event will feature two full days of educational conferences and master classes, networking opportunities, and an exhibition hall strategically organized to foster business relationships. Exhibitors already confirmed for the 2023 show include Aquitaine Wine Company, Kazayak-Vin, Bodegas Tagua Tagua SPA, Retail Pak, Scentone, Casa Maestri, Charles Edge London, and Slim Chillers.

For younger wine and spirits producers with less than five years in the business, a New Wave exhibitor option is available to help them launch and boost sales. The show will welcome Brau from France and Wine Library from the United States as New Wave exhibitors this year and is still accepting applications.

By the Numbers: Attendees and Purchasing Power

Ninety-three percent of last year’s attendees were from North America, with 43 states represented. Top participating states included New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, California, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Texas, Maryland, and Illinois. Seventy-one percent had purchasing roles within the beverage alcohol space, and 68% purchased between $100,000 and $1.5 million annually.

Advisory Board Welcomes Robert Tobiassen

Robert Tobiassen, president of the National Association of Beverage Importers, Inc. (NABI), has joined the Vinexpo America and Drinks America advisory board. Since 1935 NABI has represented importers of distilled spirits, wine, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages on key regulatory and public policies at the federal, state, and international levels impacting trade and supply chain distribution in goods and accompanying services.

Tobiassen joins 12 other U.S.-based wine and spirits industry leaders who contribute to the planning and growth of Vinexpo America and Drinks America, including John Beaudette (MHW, Ltd.), Cheryl Durzy (LibDib), Valerie Gerard-Matsuura (Sopexa USA), Monique Huston (Winebow), Helen Mackey (Darden), Vela McClam Thomas (Lemae Group), Steve Melchiskey (USA Wine West, LLC), Brandy Rand (The IWSR), Brian Rosen (BevStrat LLC), Manilay Saito (Business France), Aaron Sherman (SevenFifty) and David Talbot (Ultimate Beverage Challenge).

For more information or to register to attend, visit www.vinexpoamerica.com.

About Vinexposium

Owned jointly by Comexposium and Vinexpo Holding, Vinexposium is the world’s leading organizer of wine and spirits trade events. Vinexposium offers an enhanced range of high-performance events, tailored to different market segments, with a portfolio of iconic and recognized events: Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris, WOW! Meetings, Vinexpo America & Drinks America, Vinexpo Hong Kong, WBWE Asia, Vinexpo Bordeaux, Vinexpo Shanghai and WBWE Amsterdam, as well as Vinexpo Explorer and World Wine Meetings.

About Diversified Communications

Diversified Communications is a leading international media company with a portfolio of face-to-face exhibitions and conferences, online communities, and digital and print publications. As producers of these market-leading products, Diversified Communications connects, educates, and strengthens business communities in over 15 industries including: renewable energy, healthcare, natural and organic, food and beverage, and technology. Established in 1949 and headquartered in Portland, Maine, USA, with divisions and offices around the world, Diversified Communications remains a privately held, third-generation, family-owned business. For more information, visit www.divcom.com

Renegade Rum Launches New Terroir-Driven Pre-Cask Collection

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NEW YORK (PRWEB) – Renegade Rum Distillery, the game-changing terroir-driven rum project based in Grenada, announces the August launch of a diverse new selection of four flavorsome Pre-Cask white rums in the United States. An industry-challenging enterprise from Mark Reynier, the man behind the renaissance of Islay’s Bruichladdich single malt whisky and multi-award winning Waterford Whisky, Renegade Rum seeks to explore the effect terroir, cane variety and distillation style has on the flavor of rum.

The cane plant, rum’s primary raw ingredient, is the natural source of its flavor. Thus the land on which it grows and its microclimate determines its character. With these details in mind, Renegade Rum chose to explore the terroirs of Grenada one place, one farm, at a time – to be shared initially as these fresh, vibrant spirits before cask ageing.

Pure and intense building blocks of flavor, the Renegade Rum Pre-Cask Collection of rums are for spirits connoisseurs to compare and contrast original nuances, but they will also have appeal to those searching for inherently and authentically flavorsome white spirits to create cocktails rooted in real provenance. So distinct are these cane-derived spirits that the first Pre-Cask Collection of white rums that were available in late 2021 in Europe, have already sold out with the trade and won notable awards, including Best New Rum at Vinexpo, Paris.

Renegade Rum CEO Mark Reynier says, “We are delighted to share more Pre-Cask bottlings for the curious, to explore with us these new realms of natural flavor derived from sugar cane. They are for spirits connoisseurs searching for authenticity and transparency. And as the building blocks of our Renegade Rum, we have discovered they also make for intensely flavored, ultra high-provenance ingredients for the most discerning cocktail enthusiasts.”

“Even though these are among our first distillates, we have been delighted with their award-winning reception and the fact that we have commenced serious discussions around terroir, traceability and transparency in rum, adds Mark. This is a prelude, of course, to our aged rum – and we look forward to sharing our first serious studies with the world this autumn.”

The four Single Farm Origin white rums to be released in the United States within the Pre-Cask Collection are as follows:

Single Farm Origin: Nursery – The genesis of our pioneering project to propagate entirely clean & healthy heritage cane varieties began at our nursery farm. Nestled in La Calome Valley, with its almost terraced valley floor, it is made up of Hartman & Woburn clay loam soils & a profusion of volcanic boulders. For this rum we harvested the sucrose-rich variety we call Yellow Lady from “big pumps” field, which stands on the terroir known as Upper La Calome.

  • Terroir: Upper La Calome
  • Cane Variety: Yellow Lady
  • Pot Still

Single Farm Origin: Hope – On the island’s south-eastern flank, sheltered from the Atlantic Trade Winds by a narrow mangrove belt, stands this distinctive terroir. Bright, iron-red clay & pyroclastic boulders & rich, alluvial soil & its cool, high water table ensures a humid microclimate with lush cane in the driest season. For this rum we harvested the oldest of our varieties, Cain, from Mamo Field, which stands on the terroir known as Boulders.

  • Terroir: Boulders
  • Variety: Cain
  • Pot Still

Single Farm Origin: Lake Antoine – Lower Crater Lake South and Upper Crater Lake South – At Lake Antoine, intriguing terroirs wrap around the steep, seaward-facing slopes of a volcanic crater lake, where cane grows on granular Woburn clay loam – sparse & dry at the summit, deep & rich at the foot – fully exposed to the desiccating salt-laden Atlantic trade Winds. For these two rums we harvested the sucrose-rich variety we call Purple Tallboy from two fields, one from Ball Pasture Field, which stands on the terroir known as Lower Crater Lake South and the second from More Field, which stands on the terroir known as Upper Crater Lake South.

  • Terroirs: Lower Crater and Upper Crater Lake South
  • Variety: Purple Tallboy
  • Pot Still

The Renegade Rum Pre-Cask Collection of Single Farm Origin: Nursery, Hope and Lake Antoine Lower Crater & Upper Crater Lake South are each 50% ABV and are available in 700ml bottles for $65 in fine retail stores. Renegade Rum is imported by Glass Revolution Imports.

Situated on the mountainous, volcanic, Caribbean island of Grenada, the modern marvel that is the Renegade Rum Distillery was designed precisely to extol individuality, with extended temperature-controlled fermentation for purity, and considered distillation for gravitas. The purpose-built, state-of-the-art distillery is the first of its scale to have been designed from the ground up for terroir-bred sugarcane. As well as cutting-edge still design and digital logistics, the Renegade Rum Distillery uses sophisticated technology for air filtration and water purification of waste streams, thus ensuring distilling systems run in rhythm with natural systems.

Each bottle of Renegade Rum will feature an innovative CaneCode which includes all the information about the farm, cane variety and terroir showcasing total transparency for spirits enthusiasts. More information can be found at: https://renegaderum.com/canecode/

In addition, Renegade Rum has also recently launched its cask offering. This is a unique opportunity for anyone to acquire a cask of their own super-premium quality rum – distilled from pure cane juice derived from an individual Single Farm Origin – to be bottled with a personalized label. There are options for French Oak hogsheads matured in the Caribbean, and “Early Landed” American oak barrels, which will be aged in Europe. More information can be found at: https://renegaderum.com/renegade-cask-offer/

About Renegade Rum: Renegade Rum is a game-changing rum distillery located in Grenada, using fresh sugar cane juice rather than generic molasses (a by-product of sugar production), grown on the diverse terroirs of Grenada in the Caribbean. We began producing our first spirit in the autumn of 2020. The cane plant, rum’s primary raw ingredient, is the natural source of its flavor. Thus, the land on which it grows & its microclimate determines its character. Therefore, we choose to explore the terroirs of Grenada – one place, one farm, at a time. For more information, please visit https://renegaderum.com/