Eve's Wine 101

FireFly Farms Celebrates 20 Years of Awards for Its Sustainable Artisan Cheese

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ACCIDENT, MD. (PRWEB) – FireFly Farms, a producer of handmade cheese from Mountain Maryland, celebrated 20 years in the artisan cheese business last year and nabbed another seven awards for its line of cheeses in national and international competitions.

“The past year has been busy – we remodeled the creamery, moved our Deep Creek market, launched a new website, participated in an international festival, and still managed to stay on top of the cheese making!” said FireFly Farms Director of Operations, Dan Porter. “It’s not easy, but everyone who works here, from the newest apprentice to the most seasoned cheesemaker, is passionate about what we do, and I think that makes a big difference.”

“We keep finding new ways to improve our process,” said FireFly Farms President Mike Koch, “whether it’s adjusting the amount of salt, refreshing a recipe, or tweaking the curd-cut temperature to accommodate seasonal milk changes – every little thing counts. Even after twenty years of cheese making, you know you still have a lot to learn, but of course every year we get better at the craft!”

The seven awards in this anniversary year included recognitions at the American Cheese Society’s judging and competition, the World Cheese Awards, and a first-ever showing at the Mundial do Queijo in São Paulo, Brazil:

  • Merry Goat Round was awarded at the World Cheese Awards
  • Merry Goat Round Spruce Reserve was awarded by the American Cheese Society and at the World Cheese Awards
  • Cabra La Mancha was awarded by American Cheese Society
  • Black & Blue was awarded at the World Cheese Awards
  • Cave Dweller was awarded at the Mundial do Queijo do Brasil
  • Carpenter’s Wheel, produced in collaboration with Crown Finish Caves, was awarded by the American Cheese Society

“We’ve won a lot of awards over the years,” says Dan Porter, “but that’s really not what matters to us. Our commitment is to handcrafted, artisan cheese that uses fresh milk from local farms. People taste and value that even when they don’t know that they’re eating a medal winner.”

“I think our customers really value our focus on sustainability”, said Mike Koch. “When your milk comes from farms just down the road, when your cheesemakers raise chickens and cows at home, when you can share whey with a pig farmer and when you brush shoulders with folks every day who are making a living off the land, it really drives home the need to take care of what you have for the next generation. Our solar panels, whey-recycling program, local sourcing – it all comes from a recognition that we need to be leaders in our community.”

Long hailed as one of the best places to visit in Mountain Maryland’s Garrett County, the FireFly Farm’s market location in Accident, MD expanded this year, moving just a few blocks down the street. As before, it features FireFly Farm’s award-winning cheeses as well as other specialty, hand-selected items from the region and around the world.

Meanwhile FireFly Farms’ second market in historic Whitehall Mill in Baltimore is receiving recognition for its natural wine selection, one of the best in the city. “I suppose you could say I have a passion for wine and cheese,” says Jesse Galdston, general manager of FireFly Market in Whitehall Mill. “We pride ourselves on searching out hard-to-find bottles, whether a library release of a 1994 German Riesling for under $50, (sorry, sold out!) or naturally fermented champagne, we’ve always got something interesting to pair with your cheese.”

In addition to the two market locations, FireFly Farms cheese is nationally available through its distribution partners and can be found in several major grocery chains specialty retail stores, restaurants and via several online partners. For information or to purchase FireFly Farms’ cheese, please contact the creamery directly or visit its newly relaunched website and ecommerce platform at http://www.fireflyfarms.com.

“We’re excited to be expanding our geographic reach and making our cheeses accessible to anyone, no matter where they live,” said Mike Koch. “Our new monthly cheese subscription allows us to curate something special every month for our customers – as well as feature complimentary products from other exciting food businesses.”

About FireFly Farms: FireFly Farms was founded in 2002 and offers nationally & internationally award‐winning goat’s and cow’s milk cheeses that express the distinct regional flavors of Mountain Maryland’s Allegheny Plateau. Each cheese is artfully handcrafted and aged with precise detail, resulting in exceptional flavor and texture. FireFly Farms is prides itself on using agriculturally sustainable, locally‐sourced fresh goat’s and cow’s milk and time‐honored, traditional methods of cheese making.

LE OFF: PARIS CELEBRATES WINE AND COCKTAILS

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Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris, due to take place from 13 to 15 February 2023, is spilling out into the capital city once again with its 3rd selection of 180 restaurants and cocktail bars for the perfect winning and dining experience. 

A SELECTION OF 180 RESTAURANTS AND COCKTAIL BARS FOR THE 3rd OFF PROGRAMME

The OFF selection for Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris 2023 has just been revealed and features 180 restaurants and cocktail bars spread across every district of the city where particular emphasis is placed on wine service and mixology.

The criteria for the latest selection run the gamut, from friendly, unique and lively venues with an eclectic wine list – featuring at list fifty wines and a great range of French wine regions – to wines by winegrowers with a clean work ethos, quality spirits, good food and the feel-good factor.

The eclectic selection – from the wine merchant serving food to the Michelin-starred restaurant – features 100 new establishments this year. It aims to provide a unique, user-friendly experience for all Epicureans and wine and spirits enthusiasts, and to celebrate Paris’ incredible range of gourmet foods.

The poster for the 3rd edition was signed by the talented illustrator and poster artist Thomas Baas, who is one of the leading names in contemporary illustration.

A VIBRANT PROGRAMME TO ROCK PARIS FROM 13 TO 15 FEBRUARY

To celebrate the incredibly talented chefs, sommeliers and mixologists, OFF restaurants and cocktail bars will be hosting exclusive wine and cocktail-focused events for three entire evenings.

So from 13 to 15 February, Paris will rock to the rhythm of wine and cocktails for enthusiasts and professionals gathered in the capital for Wine Paris et Vinexpo Paris through unique and exclusive experiences.

To whet your appetite, here is a sample of the line-up:

  • At ‘CANON D’ACHILLE’, the spotlight will be turned on women with wines by female winegrowers both by the glass and by the bottle on the wine list;
  • At ‘LA CALE’, a blind tasting with 4 blended wines (two whites, two reds) will be hosted. Whoever finds the right grape varieties will be given a complimentary glass of the wine;
  • At ‘JAJA’, special sparkling evenings will showcase ‘pét-nat’ wines, Champagne and cider;
  • At ‘GRAND CŒUR’, Magnums will be the centrepiece;
  • At ‘BON VIVANT’, there will be a tasting of skin-contact wines;
  • At ‘LE DENICHEUR’, on 13 and 14 February dinner will feature Ardèche winegrower Arnaud Prigent from Domaine Olivier De Serre;
  • At ‘FULGURANCES LA CAVE’, a themed Jura evening will revolve around traditional dishes served with 3 wines by one of the region’s producers.

A dedicated website is available: www.leoff-paris.com.

The full list of restaurants selected for OFF by WINE PARIS & VINEXPO PARIS can be found here.

All the events hosted from 13 to 15 February 2023 can be found here.

About WINE PARIS & VINEXPO PARIS
Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris is the annual event for wine and spirits professionals from around the world. Hosted in February at a key time of the year, it aims to offer a cohesive focal point for industry players centring on a comprehensive, relevant and inclusive range of products that showcases vineyard sites across the globe alongside all the French wine regions.

About VINEXPOSIUM

Vinexposium is the world’s leading organizer of wine and spirits trade events. The group boasts an extensive portfolio of iconic, high-performance events tailored to different market segments: Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris; Vinexpo America, Drinks America; Vinexpo Asia; Symposium; Vinexpo China; WBWE Amsterdam; and Vinexpo India, along with Vinexpo Explorer and Vinexpo Meetings. Vinexposium also continues to enhance its digital portal, Vinexposium Connect, the high-performance business enabler where industry members can connect 365 days a year around the world and enjoy online networking and exclusive content.

Review: Piper Sonoma Brut NV

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Love reviewing bubbly, and this time it was a Piper Sonoma Brut NV from Sonoma! Below are my tasting notes, information from the winery and a Brut-ish cocktail recipe for those that dare! (Note: my sample arrived packed in Styrofoam, which left a bit of “snow” on the bottle. I left it for the photograph as it was winter and I thought it apropos!)

Piper Sonoma Brut NB (SRP $22)

Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes

Evaluated in a wine glass as opposed to a flute, the bubbles clung to the edges and center of my glass and the color was a pale lemon yellow. Aromas reminded me of peach, cantaloupe melon, kiwi, Bananas Foster and a wet sandy beach, all very interesting. Going in for a taste I noted fleshy ripe peaches, pears and lots of lemons, then toasty French bread with orange marmalade jam. A mild to medium acidity allowed for an extensive length that simply danced on my palate until I returned for another taste. Nicely done.

From the Winery

For nearly 40 years, Piper Sonoma has been handcrafting sparkling wines using Méthode Traditionnelle, the same technique used to craft the best Champagnes, but with a personality that is pure Sonoma. Here, creativity and individuality can run rampant, tempered only by an ingrained respect for the land and community.

It’s delicious on its own and is the perfect foundation for memorable mimosas, as well as seasonal cocktails like our “Winter in Sonoma” (recipe below and attached).

Winter in Sonoma

3oz Piper Sonoma Brut NV

1oz Gin

1oz Fresh clementine juice (1 juiced clementine)

1/2oz Winter simple syrup

1tsp fresh ginger zest Rosemary sprig

*Serve in coupe glass*

Instructions: Combine all ingredients (except Piper Sonoma) in ice-filled mixing glass and stir until cold. Strain into glass and top with Piper Sonoma Brut. Garnish with Clementine wheel and rosemary sprig.

Winter Simple Syrup (recipe makes 1 cup):

1 cup water

1 cup sugar

1 tsp whole cloves

2oz fresh ginger chunks

1 rosemary sprig

Instructions: Combine water, herbs and spices in a saucepan and bring to boil. Simmer for 10 minutes, then add sugar. Once sugar has dissolved, remove from heat and let steep for at least 30 minutes before using. Strain syrup into container. Can be stored in refrigerator for 2 weeks. 

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in the first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Proof Awards, Cellarmasters, LA Wine Competition, Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.

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.

Shop like a Pro with the Tastings.com 2022 Holiday Gift Guide

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CHICAGO, /PRNewswire/ — Tastings.com, the official review site of the Beverage Testing Institute, is gifting savvy holiday revelers with their Holiday Gift Guide that features hundreds of award-winning adult beverages to help them better plan their parties and upgrade their gift giving, all while impressing their friends, family, and co-workers with tasty drink discoveries.

The Tastings.com Holiday Gift Guide is a colorful, eye-catching flip book that features top-rated and perfect-for-presents spirits, wines, beers, ready-to-drink cocktails, sakes, ciders, and mixers from BTI’s expert reviews in 2022. The guide also serves up some delicious holiday-inspired drinks that are perfect for around the house and a few personal holiday stories from their expert panelists.

Considered the nation’s leading adult beverage testing and review organization, BTI taste tests thousands of beverages annually, is accredited by the American Society for Testing and Materials for its scientifically based blind tasting standards, and is universally recognized for independence, integrity, and consistency. Ratings and reviews from BTI have catapulted brands like Grey Goose and Pappy Van Winkle into the pantheon of the world’s most successful brands. Julian P. Van Winkle has said of BTI, “Every time we received a high rating from BTI over the years, interest increased for our brand. We owe a lot to Beverage Testing Institute for our success.”

Their Tastings.com Holiday Gift Guide makes finding and purchasing unique wines, beers and spirits super simple and virtually foolproof. With just a click on a product from the guide you go to the full review page on Tastings.com where their “Buy-It-Now” button allows consumers to buy any item featured in the guide via links to retailer sites. Throughout the guide you will find “Best Buy” beverages that offer exceptional score to price ratios, so that you can drink like a connoisseur without spending a ton of coin.

According to Andrew Moldenhauer, BTI’s Director of Content & Education, “Because BTI assembles dozens of leading experts to assess products based on consumer appeal, quality, and typicity, you know that the Tastings.com Holiday Gift Guide is a great way to elevate your home tastings and discover many of the best and most interesting products in their categories without having to sift through advertising spin or just rely on one writer’s sense of taste.”

Items featured in the Holiday Gift Guide were blindly judged and scientifically vetted based on merit alone by BTI’s panels of beverage industry experts. The guide features many of BTI’s recently announced “Best of Year Awards” like Larceny Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (2022 Best Straight Bourbon Whiskey), Evan Williams Egg Nog Cream Liqueur (2022 Top 2 Cream Liqueurs), and Le Chemin Du Roi NV Brut Rosé (2022 Best Champagne Brut Rose), Grand Marnier (France) Cuvée Du Centenaire Liqueur (2022 Best Flavored Brandy Liqueur ), Philip Mead Traditional Sweet Mead (2022 Top 2 Traditional Meads) and the Midleton Dair Ghaelach Kylebeg Wood Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey (2022 Best Whiskey of the Year).

Put a bow on it and call it a wrap with Tastings.com’s 2022 Holiday Gift Guide.

Ten cocktail and wine trends in the US unveiled by Southern Glazer’s

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MIAMI and DALLAS —Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits (Southern Glazer’s) — the world’s preeminent distributor of beverage alcohol — has unveiled the results of its 2022 Liquid Insights Tour, a coast-to-coast educational initiative designed to explore and identify the latest trends in cocktails and wine. The Liquid Insights Tour kicked off in Houston in February, and included stops in Kansas City, New York, Las Vegas, Chicago and Los Angeles. Over the course of 111 days, Brian Masilionis, Director, On-Premise Commercial Strategy & National Accounts for Southern Glazer’s, led a team of its industry-leading mixologists to sample more than 400 drinks in 83 of the hottest restaurants, bars and hotels, compiling their insights to discover emerging cocktail and wine trends across the U.S.

Analyzing industry data and gathering insights within the beverage industry has long been a practice of Southern Glazer’s, where it is used for internal education and training of the company’s sales force and its accounts. Now, through the Liquid Insights Tour, Southern Glazer’s is sharing its findings more broadly to help a hospitality industry still reeling from the effects of the pandemic, and to excite consumers about wine and cocktail innovation being driven by a new generation of diverse bartenders, sommeliers and beverage professionals. 

“Our driving purpose for conducting the Liquid Insights Tour was to uncover innovative beverage trends and experiences across the country to ensure Southern Glazer’s continues to have the most knowledgeable sales consultants in the industry,” said Masilionis. “Throughout the tour, we evaluated the complete on-premise experience by examining product offerings, pricing, promotional approach, people, service and process.” 

The conclusions from this tour, coupled with Southern Glazer’s world-class wine and spirits portfolio, creates a leading wine and cocktail experience, with best-in-class customer service from coast to coast, for restaurants, bars, hotels and other on-premise venues. 

Top 10 Trends Revealed

Analysis of the findings of the Liquid Insights Tour revealed that top trends fell into three distinct categories: cocktail trends, wine trends, and presentation/execution trends.

Top cocktail insights:

  1. Uncommon Combinations: Bartenders were mixing spirits not commonly used together to create new and interesting cocktail flavor profiles such as Scotch and corn liqueur, rum and cognac, and gin and mezcal.
  2. Beyond Basic Balancers: The team found many cocktails that were made using an innovative variety of methods or modifiers to balance the drink or add layers of flavor. These included the use of acids; sugars and syrups; salt; herbs and spices; coffee and tea; and the use of fats beyond animal fats. Adding ice or heat, like with stamped ice or smoked ice, was also common.
  3. Caffeinated Comeback: Once the darling of the 90s bar scene, the Espresso Martini took center stage as the standout cocktail of the tour. Around the country, mixologists are giving new life into this classic, incorporating a variety of creative ingredients such as amaro and coffee liqueurs or brandy with espresso or cold brew.
  4. Sophisticated and Spirit-Free: Non-alcoholic offerings at the country’s top bars, restaurants and hotels are now just as elevated, delicious, and pricey as their alcoholic counterparts, featuring similar ingredients, flavors and presentations just without alcohol.

Top wine insights:

  1. Bubbly Is Popping: Champagne and sparkling wines continue to climb in popularity on drink menus. Throughout the tour, more sparkling options were available by-the-glass and had a more prominent presence on top wine lists. In addition, bartenders are mixing sparkling wine of all styles and prices into their cocktails to add effervescence, crispness or sweetness to the experience.
  2. Wines Chill Out: Chilled selections of red and sweet wines appeared on menus across the U.S. Orange wines also appeared more frequently than ever before, often presented on menus in a combined rosé and orange section. 
  3. Tempting Trial With By-The-Glass & Premium Half-Bottles: Curated by-the-glass (BTG) options are becoming more diverse and more balanced between domestic and international offerings than in the past. There is also a growing trend in wines priced to sell with good value in either BTG or by-the-bottle formats to drive more orders and not just high margins.

Top execution and presentation insights:

  1. Batching for Speed and Service: Top bartenders continue to innovate around batching their cocktails, including both partial (batching only non-perishable items) and full batching, driven by the need for speed and to improve quality and consistency in cocktail preparation, which allows for more time to connect with guests.
  2. Entertaining Experience Enhancements: Adding “flair” to the cocktail experience with the use of vapors, “air,” smoke or torch; the use of unique glassware; or the return of communal drinks to be shared; all are creating memorable moments for consumers.
  3. Meaningful Menu Innovations: Restaurants and bars are evolving their menus beyond being a functional tool to improve the consumer experience. The team saw great storytelling, unique categorizations and humorous names paired with detailed drink descriptions. QR codes, which rose in popularity due to COVID-19, are now being used to deliver broader offerings and information – from curated, account-specific Spotify playlists to ever-changing allocated spirit offerings, all of which can be updated easily without needing to reprint menus.

Factors Influencing Trends

Backed by industry data and Southern Glazer’s internal insights, Masilionis and his team identified several key factors that are influencing these trends. These include an aging population, demographic and ethnic diversification of the U.S., a preference for health and wellness among consumers, and ongoing ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic still affecting the hospitality industry.

“These unique insights can be incorporated into any on-premise business to build greater success through strategic and innovative beverage programs,” said Masilionis. “Identifying which insights are relevant to your business and how to incorporate them using creative themes, highlighting seasonal ingredients, and tailoring cocktail and wine offerings to the demographics of your guests are all strong strategies. We continue to see the ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic throughout this industry segment, in terms of effects on the work force and on the consumers returning for the on-premise experience. We’re excited to offer these insights to help speed the recovery from the pandemic and make this segment stronger and more consumer-focused than ever.”

For more information, visit the Liquid Insights Tour resource page at  www.southernglazers.com/Liquid-Insights.

Wines ‘Til Sold Out (WTSO.com) Launches Premium Subscription Service

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MOORESTOWN, N.J./PRNewswire/ — Wines ‘Til Sold Out (WTSO) has a new kind of wine club subscription, the WTSO Monthly Subscription experience. In the monthly shipments, wine enthusiasts of all levels are invited to sip on 2-3 premium selections that are meticulously chosen. It highlights some rare, luxurious wines from around the world and their stories — all at a discount price that WTSO is known for providing to customers. Each set is available at the low rate of $99.99 per month. Included in the subscription service is a live virtual class, where members are encouraged to be interactive with professionals and among the community. On top of that, there’s expected to be many more exclusive events for this group.

The series to kick off the launch is a duo of Brunello. This popular Italian wine is a favorite with its 2 year minimum oak-aging process bringing out the best of the cherry flavors and a layered finish. The release of Brunellos, after a mandatory five-year period from the harvest, keeps fans anticipating each new vintage from the Tuscan vineyards. All members who subscribe during the first month will receive a limited-edition gift box. The special offer is valued over $200 and contains deluxe gifts from WTSO’s partners such as Repour Wine Savers and Gabriel-Glas.

“WTSO has a reputation of sourcing wines that meet high standards and making them widely available to consumers across the country. Our customers have expressed interest in learning the true value of wines they’re drinking. We’re listening because I think it’s important to know and understand how they’re made, the terroir, and differences in quality. This new membership extends our mission of providing accessibility to purchase and learn the narratives of all these fine wines. It makes drinking them that much more special,” says Joe Arking, Co-Founder and CEO of Wines ‘Til Sold Out.

The WTSO Monthly Subscription comes from a history of curated wine experiences that the company has developed and transformed over the years. In 2016, they introduced Weekly Tasting sets handpicked by wine partners from around the country. Together with these industry experts, they brought wine education directly to the customer through a robust YouTube channel. During the height of the pandemic of 2020, the company launched WTSO Live to bring the community together via Zoom through these curated sets. With the rise of video conferencing, this new virtual format greatly expanded the reach and convenience of the educational series.

Running off the success of WTSO Live, the new signature tasting series takes it all to the next level. Each month provides a unique opportunity to bring the labels to life. The subscription offers an easier way to gain access into the wonderful world of wine. For instance, WTSO Monthly Subscription events hope to offer direct connection and conversations with the winemakers themselves, as well as other industry professionals. In addition, there’s direct access to the company’s in-house wine expert for further recommendations.

Current host, Marc Supsic, is a professional certified by institutions like the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) and UC Davis California. He says, “I’m excited to be directly engaged with the wine community that WTSO built. We’re going to spend time with some fantastic wines that are not readily available unless you subscribe to a specific winery. The WTSO Monthly Subscription provides more access to those same prestigious brands with less fees. They’re really special wines, and I’m glad to be a part of this new journey.”

After the inaugural Brunello set, the series is slated to feature wines that will pair perfectly with seasonal holiday plans. Subscribers can be prepared to welcome Autumn with Cabernet Sauvignon, Champagne, and Burgundy wines.

For more information and to view a special introductory offer for the first shipment, visit wtso.com/wine-subscription. Learn more by following WTSO on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.

About Wines ‘Til Sold Out (WTSO.com) 
Wines ‘Til Sold Out (WTSO) has a mission to create a first-class wine experience by providing accessibility to wine enthusiasts across the United States. At the core of WTSO is strong, lasting relationships throughout the industry to source a great variety of high-quality wines at the best prices. With a vast network of experts, they provide detailed knowledge and foster an engaged wine community. Known for their dedication to customer service, WTSO stands behind their brand and products by backing each and every experience with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

Vinotemp Adds The New 36’ Double Door Wine Cooler And A Compact Stainless Steel Single Zone Wine Cooler to their Collection

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HENDERSON, NEV. (PRWEB) – Vinotemp®, the leading wine storage solutions and appliance provider, has announced the launch of their new 36’ Double Door Wine Cooler designed with a front vent for built-in or freestanding installation. The super modern exterior and spacious interior are the focus point of this beautifully designed wine refrigerator, that adds symmetry and balance to any space. The double doors create for double the space, fitting up to 180 bottles of wine. In addition to visual appeal, the dual doors allow you to control the temperature on each side separately, making it perfect for storing different varieties of wine or beer on one side and wine on the other – all at their ideal temperature!

The Vinotemp 36’ Double Door Wine Cooler properly stores up to 90 bottles of wine on each side and features 15 gliding metal shelves with a black wooden lip in each zone, great for adjusting shelves and incorporating different bottles like champagne or vodka.

  • Vinotemps Backlit™ Illuminating Design

This cooler includes a white interior backlit design, that provides the best lighting to view your collection.

  • Customizable Temperature Control on Each Side

An adjustable 26-degree temperature range (39-65°F) allows users to select a proper, customized storage climate and serving temperature for beer, wine, champagne and more. Each side is equipped with its own easy-to-use, all glass touch screen control panel to set the right temperature for any drink.

  • Adjustable Shelving

The adjustable, pull-out shelving makes it easy to access the 180 bottle of wine this refrigerator can store. Each of the shelves has a black front that is high enough to cover most of the bottom half of each bottle. This arrangement gives the unique impression that the bottles are “floating” within the storage unit and is exclusive to Vinotemp.

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HENDERSON, NEV. (PRWEB) – Vinotemp®, the leading wine storage solutions and appliance provider, today announced the launch of their new 24-Bottle Wall-Mounted Single-Zone Wine Cooler, a perfectly designed compact wine storage solution that can fit in any room. This wine cooler contains stylish black wooden pull out shelves and soft interior LED lighting illuminates the cooler’s contents,
making it easy to read labels and locate your favorite bottle of wine. The dual-pane tempered glass provides extra insulation that maintains wine at ideal temperatures.

  • Digital Display

The push button temperature control panel with digital read-out at the top interior makes setting and monitoring the temperature of your wine cooler a breeze!

  • Designed to Match Your Style and Space

Recessed, built-in installation and black glass or stainless steel trim make this appliance a seamless addition to efficient and stylish spaces.

  • Customizable Temperature Control

An adjustable 26-degree temperature range (41-64°F) allows users to select a proper, customized storage climate and serving temperature.

To learn more about Vinotemp’s newest offering, and other appliances and wine storage solutions, visit vinotemp.com.

Kosher Food and Wine Experience Makes Triumphant Return to London and Israel

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London/Tel Aviv– The world’s largest public kosher food and wine extravaganza came back with a triumphant “L’chaim!’ this spring following a 2-year coronavirus break. The annual Kosher Food & Wine Experience (KFWE) is still the hottest ticket in the kosher culinary world, attracting thousands of restaurateurs, chefs, caterers, and foodies hungry for the latest and greatest in fine kosher wines and cuisine.

Royal Wine Corp. through its Israeli and British distributors, respectively Zur Agencies and Kedem Europe, spearheaded the long-awaited return of these two events – May 30 in Tel Aviv, Israel, and on June 21 in London. More than 240 wines from Israel, France, Italy, Spain, and the U.K. were sipped and savored, and guests had a unique chance to meet the winemakers and learn the stories behind each bottle.

Both shows featured rare premium wines along with accessible everyday wines, sparkling wines, whiskey, French and Italian liqueurs and more.

The Sheraton Grand London Park Lane was the scene where more than 800 KFWE guests enjoyed an exceptional selection of kosher wines and spirits. More than a dozen Israeli wineries were present with their latest vintages, including boutique wineries such as Domaine Du Castel, Yatir Winery, Flam Winery, Jezreel, Matar by Pelter, and Psagot.

At KFWE London, Royal Wine and Kedem Europe introduced a new line of kosher wines from Burgundy produced by Domaine du Château Philippe le Hardi. The line includes three wines from the 2020 vintage: a Gevrey-Chambertin Villages, a Chambolle-Musigny Villages, and a Beaune 1er Cru. Royal Wine did not offer high-end quality red Burgundy wines since 2004.  

“As the kosher market has evolved and matured over the past 18 years, we believe that many fine kosher wine connoisseurs will particularly appreciate these refined and complex Pinot Noir wines,” says Gabe Geller, Royal Wine’s director of PR. “They will retail between $100-130. Royal also introduced in London the Laufer’s Select Tokaji Late Harvest and Tokaji Ice, both high-quality dessert wines from the famed Tokaji region in Hungary. Both wines will be SRP $45,” he added.

Cooloo alcoholic ice-pops were the perfect refresher, as it was the first time the KFWE was held over the summer months. Also featured was a cocktail bar with deliciously tasty concoctions created by top mixologists using Walders and Bicerin liqueurs.

Along with the unlimited wine tastings and whisky masterclasses, the London event featured legendary buffet by caterer Arieh Wagner. He and his team served up hot and cold dishes including Turmeric-Infused Cauliflower with tahini, hummus, and pomegranate seeds; Baba Ganoush with cashew nuts; Beef Carpaccio with truffle oil and fresh truffle; Poke Salmon and Tuna; Pulled Beef Arancini; a salt beef carvery; and dairy-free desserts such as tiramisu, Eton mess, and crème brûlée. 

The Trask at the Port of Tel Aviv set the scene for KFWE 2022 in the Holy Land with tastings of more than 300 wines and an extensive rooftop buffet. Guests enjoyed wines and beverages from the various wine regions of France (Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Provence and Alsace, including super-premium wines from world-renowned wineries – Château Lascombes, Château Giscours, Château Léoville Poyferré, Champagne Drappier, Château Clarke-Rothschild and more), Spain , Priorat, Galicia and more), Italy (Chianti, Montepulciano and Northern Italy), New Zealand, California (Sonoma, Napa and more), Argentina (Mendoza), South Africa and of course Israel (Shiloh, Jezreel and Psagot).

KFWE 2022 showcased hundreds of different wines and spirits produced in renowned wine regions, available at every price point.  Geller summed up both events, “It was wonderful to see friends learning about wine together, discovering new vintages from around the world, and finding the perfect bottles—most of which are kosher for Passover—to enjoy at home or at their next celebration.”

About Royal Wine/Kedem

Since 1948, Royal Wine Corp., also known as Kedem, has been owned and operated in the United States by the Herzog family, whose winemaking roots date back eight generations to 19th century Czechoslovakia.

TodayRoyal Wine’s portfolio of domestic and international wines range from traditional wine producing regions of France, Italy, and Spain, as well as Israel, New Zealand, and Argentina. Additionally, Royal Wine Corp.’s spirit and liqueur portfolio offer some of the most sought-after scotches, bourbons, tequilas, and vodkas as well as hard to find specialty items such as flavored brandies and liqueurs.

The company owns and operates the Kedem Winery in upstate New York, as well as Herzog Wine Cellars in Oxnard, California, a state-of-the-art-facility featuring guided wine tours, a fully staffed modern tasting room, gift shop and catering facilities. Additionally, the winery houses the award-winning restaurant Tierra Sur, serving the finest Mediterranean inspired contemporary Californian Cuisine. Follow Royal Wine on Face Book.com/RoyalWineCorp/, and instagram.com/royalwinecorp/, and twitter.com/royalwinecorp

Charles Heidsieck Champagne Takes to the Sea to Honor Its Founder’s Bicentennial

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SAINT-MALO, FRANCE (PRWEB) – Charles Heidsieck, one of Champagne’s most admired producers, has announced it is sending its newest releases to the US by sailboat. Featuring a cargo of a limited number of prestigious bottles, the historic journey celebrates the bicentennial of the House’s Founder, Charles-Camille Heidsieck, and will sail across the Atlantic to arrive in New York, following the journey that Charles himself took in 1852.

The sailboat launches from the port of Saint-Malo, Brittany, arriving in New York in time to celebrate Charles’ 200th birth date on June 17. The shipment has been entrusted to French sail company, Grain de Sail, for a transatlantic crossing on board its cargo sailboat – the first modern, regulated, merchant shipping cargo sailboat in the world – truly following in Charles’ footsteps, who made his own crossings by sea. The journey can be followed at Follow the journey on the Grain de Sail home page, https://graindesailwines.com/

For Charles Heidsieck’s Managing Director, Stephen Leroux, the partnership reflects the House’s tribute and commitment to the Founder’s sense of adventure, “Transport by sea is an integral part of our history: that is how Charles Heidsieck supplied the American market. We chose Grain de Sail as a partner because it is more than just a company, it is an adventure.

We share many key values, such as patience, a daring and entrepreneurial spirit, the world of sea, and respect for ancestral skills whilst cultivating innovation.”

Charles personally chose the US as his first market, back in 1852, as explained by Stephen Leroux, “To celebrate our 200 years of adventure, we are paying tribute to our Founder’s travels to the United States in our own way: taking our – slow – time, in a daring and entrepreneurial approach, and innovative spirit.”

For Jacques Barreau, co-founder and Executive Director at Grain de Sail, carrying the House’s legendary cargo perfectly befits their own sense of adventure, “An adventurous spirit is essential at Grain de Sail, as well as our environmental approach. I am sure that Charles Heidsieck himself would have been delighted with the partnership between our two companies, which gives special meaning to the exceptional products created by the House in tribute to its founder. It is a pleasure to be working together.”

The House has held a long connection to sailing, with several racing boats bearing the Charles Heidsieck name in global races in the 70s and 80s, including ‘Charles Heidsieck III’, especially designed for the most extraordinary international race. This great monohull sailed the Whitbread Round the World Race from August 1981 to March 1982.

The House is planning a long-term relationship with Grain de Sail, making one delivery a year via the North Atlantic, and taking on other routes as the partnership develops.

Leroux loves the idea that the shipment is not on a strict deadline to arrive to US shores, “For us, taking our time is a good thing. We leave our wines until they are fully matured, and we think that a slower pace allows you to appreciate things in life, and we really like the idea that our wines will get there when they get there.”

2022 marks 200 years since the birth of its Founder, Charles Heidsieck: a gentleman-entrepreneur with a taste for adventure, bold and pioneering. He would thoroughly and passionately pave the way of the champagne market in the mid-19th century by converting Americans to his own cuvées, earning him legendary status across the Atlantic, and the nickname “Champagne Charlie”.

The Charles Heidsieck portfolio is imported nationally by Folio Fine Wine Partners.