Second Annual International Canned Wine Competition Gives Gold to Aluminum

September 10, 2020 by evebushman

BOONVILLE, Calif. /PRNewswire/ — In the only event of its kind in the world, over two hundred canned wines flexed their aluminum muscles at the second annual International Canned Wine Competition held July 21-23 at the Mendocino County Fairgrounds in Boonville, California. Seventy producers from around the globe sent in a total of 226 entries. Wines were submitted from Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Chile, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, New Zealand, Portugal, South Africa, and Spain as well as from many parts of the U.S.A. While California and Oregon producers took their share of honors, many of the 96 gold medals went to wines from less prominent regions.

Best of Show White Wine honors went to Archer McRae Beverages’ Joiy Wine “Savvy Society” Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand. Best Rosé was Hall Wines’ BACA 2019 “Ring Around the Rosé” from California, and Best Red was Fourth Wave Wine’s “Take it to the Grave” 2018 Shiraz, Langhorne Creek, Australia.

Erosion Wine Co. from Napa took home five gold medals and a package design award for their exquisite jewel-like can designs. The Uncommon sent four wines from England; all four won gold medals and the series won package design recognition for their charming illustrations.

According to competition founder Allan Green, it was notable that 30% of the entries were Rosé wines: “Rosé has become so popular in the last few years, and it lends itself to cans: people take Rosé along for a picnic or drink it sitting by the pool.”

The competition judges came from academia, marketing and the wine trade. Professional judge Mark Bowery noted that he has, “been judging wine professionally for 36 years, but this was my first foray into the canned category. And I’ve got to say, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality, across the board. I was especially impressed by the varietal accuracy and deep satisfaction delivered in the Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc submissions.“

Handley Cellars’ winemaker Randy Schock said, “It was amazing to see the improvement in quality across the board compared to the first International Canned Wine Competition last year. Not just with the products oriented to the pop “seltzer” market, which were fun and refreshing, but the wines that expressed traditional bottled varietal expressions exceeded my expectations.”

Because of the Covid 19 virus, the organizers of the competition scheduled the judging over three days, with three judges on each daily panel socially distanced in a large exhibition hall. Judges had individual sets of glassware and bussed their own samples after each flight.

Plans are already in the works for the third annual International Canned Wine Competition, to be held in July 20-22, 2021. Competition director Allan Green promises it will be “aluminating!”

Complete results and photographs are available at www.cannedwinecompetition.com.

Vinexpo Shanghai is Broadening its Range of Services And is Set For October 2020

August 10, 2020 by evebushman

The first Vinexpo Shanghai in 2019, which was unanimously acclaimed by all attendees, broke new ground and the same spirit will prevail at the second event due to take place from 21 to 23 October 2020. Vinexpo Shanghai is adapting to the current climate and devoting a dedicated area to producers who would like to participate but cannot leave their home country. This unprecedented solution will be limited to the first 100 registrants and has been geared to provide simplicity, quality and efficiency to participating producers with an ‘all-inclusive’ formula and targeted networking with buyers attending the exhibition.

Photo from 2019 VinExpo Shanghai

The new area will dovetail perfectly with the range presented at the event by exhibitors from across the globe. Italy, Spain, France, Germany and Argentina, among other countries, will be well represented, alongside Chile, the country of honour at the 2020 exhibition. Chile will make its mark on the event through attendance by numerous estates and brands as well as a raft of top quality masterclasses aimed at Chinese buyers, confirming Vinexpo Shanghai’s international mission within the Chinese market.

Similarly, the Academy is reinventing itself and will be launching the e-Academy, with high-level content (masterclasses and conferences) rolled out during the exhibition but also relayed via Vinexpo’s digital ecosystem in China and around the world. The system will allow remote presentations by prominent international experts to be hosted – they will be transcribed during and at the exhibition.

“Once again and more than ever, we are adapting to this very uncertain climate. In these challenging times, Vinexpo continues to ramp up its business opportunities and bespoke solutions to support recovery of business worldwide. Vinexpo Shanghai 2020, with this new digital solution, will mark the beginning of the recovery”, stresses Vinexpo CEO Rodolphe Lameyse.

About Vinexpo

In an initiative spearheaded by the Bordeaux-Gironde Chamber of Commerce and Industry, VINEXPO came into being in 1981 and today is the leading events organiser in the wine and spirits sector. Over nearly 40 years, Vinexpo has gained a unique understanding of the market and gathered a huge global network of influential distributors. The brand now organises events in five cities worldwide (Bordeaux, Hong Kong, New York, Shanghai and Paris), in addition to a roadshow, Vinexpo Explorer. Every year, the group also publishes one of the most comprehensive market studies on global wine and spirits consumption: the Vinexpo/IWSR report.

Vinexpo has obtained ISO 20121 certification. Vinexpo has introduced a CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) initiative through a number of measures aimed at reducing its environmental impact and optimising local, social and economic benefits. Vinexpo is demonstrating its commitment to group-wide performance by ensuring its business is managed in compliance with ISO 20121 certification on “Event sustainability management systems”.

Vintage Eve Circa 2/2017: Tasting Wine in China…From A Book

January 21, 2020 by evebushman

International-renowned sommelier, Noel Shu, provides in-depth look at the modern Chinese wine industry and guides us through the misty vineyards and crowded wineries of China.

I can’t recall the last time I tried wine from China, possibly at the LA Wine Fest. So here I had an opportunity for a virtual taste and a cultural lesson all in one after reading Shu’s book, “China, Through a Glass of Wine.” These are my takeaways:

It’s currently difficult to find Chinese wine in the U.S.

Shu believes China could produce the next Yellow Tail, a commonly known large-production wine from Australia.

The term “tuaho” refers to a greedy person, and one that shows off their wealth, much frowned upon now in China. Days of drinking Bordeaux as a status symbol may be over.

Chinese is “embracing certain elements of globalization” and wine consumption is expected to grow.

Though white wine is more Chinese cuisine friendly, and Chinese polls show it more popular 2 to 1 to red, most Chinese gravitate toward red wine. Additionally the color red in itself has many positive cultural ties in China.

Chinese wine production dates back 4,600 years. The Changyu Winery began production in 1892. But winemaking is still in its “infancy” with the wines garnering varying reviews.

The Ningxia region has many of the “amenities” of the Napa Valley and other upscale wine regions with great tourism.

Some colder climates in China are making ice wines. The common “traditional forms of wine” being consumed are plum wine and rice wine. Marselan – a red French grape between a Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache according to Wikipedia – is now being planted.

Wine bars are grand and popping up with greater frequency.

Most demand for wine in China is being filled by imports, most notably Bordeaux, France. These French wines were first introduced via Catholicism that was brought into China.

In Napa the Chinese are not just buying the wine, they are also buying up the vineyards.

In 2011 both Domaines de Rothschild and Moet Hennessy began production in China.

The benefits of red wine were touted by the Communist leaders as healthy, while a negative connotation had been added to those that prefer spirits – as the grain to make spirits better serves the community better as food. Companies that were distilling spirits now ferment grapes.

Shu writes that “there is a deep-rooted fear in France that China, with its teeming population and endless territory, could one day outperform and take over the French wine industry.” (Not thinking this will be happening in my lifetime.)

Obviously there are cultural differences that need to be studied and tactfully executed for anyone interested in distributing wine into China. Things to be aware of include social media, having your “boots on the ground” actually in China to sell there, the language and the costs of entertaining clients. Shu spends quite a bit of time explaining the nuances involved, and the importance of respecting them.

Most of the remainder of the book is dedicated to all of the fake wine that has really taken over in China: Shu writes that for every one bottle that’s real there is one that is a fake. Shu quotes from wine writer Maureen Downey on several of her most laughable finds including wines that have blank corks, ill-sized corks, recycle symbols before 1951, mistakes in spelling on the label, etc.

The book closes on three chateaux to visit: Hansen, near Mongolia, that produces 70 different wines; Helan Oingxye as a boutique winery with an up and coming winemaker; and Changyu Moser XV for its grandeur.

My conclusion: if you are a student of wine or a distributor this book is for you. I enjoyed adding a little Chinese cuisine, via wine, to my diet.

About the Noel Shu

Internationally-regarded sommelier Noel Shu, Managing Partner for the ultra-luxe, award-winning wine and spirits purveyor Prodiguer Brands, is a 24-year-old self-made millionaire, entrepreneur and author of the newly released title, “China Through a Glass of Wine.” With impeccable panache and style, Shu, has already accomplished more than many do in an entire lifetime. He earned his undergraduate at West Point, completed the U.S. Army’s elite and grueling Combat Diver Qualification Course at the Special Forces Underwater Operations School (regarded by many Soldiers as the toughest military school to endure), and has personally designed and sold extraordinary multi-million dollar timepieces and necklaces to China’s elite through his ancillary, highly successful luxury jewelry business. Always striving to for growth and self-improvement and with a reverence for continuing education, despite his busy schedule Shu is currently pursuing an Ivy League Master’s degree at Columbia University. As a globally-minded business practitioner, Shu understands commerce on both sides of the Pacific and brings that expertise to bear with his various ventures, including the highly anticipated upcoming release of “Regale”—an exclusive wine brand expressly developed for the Chinese marketplace, which will be exported to the region in early 2016. For more information about Noel Shu, visit www.prodiguerbrands.com.

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

Eight New Masters of Wine Announced — Two from the US in the 2019 “Vintage”

October 12, 2019 by evebushman

London – The Institute of Masters of Wine has announced eight new Masters of Wine, from five different countries.

The new members of the IMW are Julien Boulard MW (PR China), Thomas Curtius MW (Germany), Dominic Farnsworth MW (UK), Lydia Harrison MW (UK), Heidi Mäkinen MW (Finland), Christine Marsiglio MW (UK), Edward Ragg MW (PR China) and Gus Jian Zhu MW (USA).

There are now 390 Masters of Wine, based in 30 countries across the world.

The new MWs have proved their understanding of all aspects of wine by passing the Master of Wine examination, recognised worldwide for its rigour and high standards.

The MW examination consists of three stages and culminates in the submission of a final research paper, an in-depth study on a wine-related topic from any area of the sciences, arts, humanities, or social sciences.

In addition to passing the examination, all MWs are required to sign the MW code of conduct before they are entitled to use the initials MW. The code of conduct requires MWs to act with honesty and integrity and to use every opportunity to share their understanding of wine with others.

There are 14 Masters of Wine in the ‘2019 vintage’, as Edouard Baijot MW (France), Nicholas Jackson MW (USA), Brendan Jansen MW (Australia), Jonas Röjerman MW (Sweden), Harriet Tindal MW (Ireland) and Jonas Tofterup MW (Spain) were announced as MWs in February. They will all be formally welcomed to the IMW at a ceremony in London later this year.

The 2019 crop shows the increasing internationalisation of the IMW. The top six countries where MWs are based around the world are Australia, France, Germany, New Zealand, the UK and the USA.

Meet the new Masters of Wine

Julien Boulard MW (PR China)

Born in Alsace, Julien arrived in China in 2003 after studying Mandarin at university. After completing a master’s degree in international affairs, he worked for five years for a wine importer in Nanning, before setting up his own company Zhulian Wines, specialising in wine education. Unsatisfied with solely mastering an exotic language, he started to study wine and became an accredited educator of the Bordeaux Wine School in China in 2008. He then passed the WSET Diploma in 2012 and embarked on the MW journey in 2013. His fluency in Mandarin, both spoken and written, his reputation on Chinese social media (Weibo and WeChat), his wine knowledge, as well as his experience as a wine educator, enabled him to become a key professional on the Chinese wine scene. He is a judge for various wine competitions in China and Hong Kong and writes sporadically when he manages to find time between teaching, tasting and daughter-caring.

Research paper

Exploring the potential of Marselan production in China.

Thomas Curtius MW (Germany)

Thomas is primarily a specialist in PR, digital communications and business development. He studied communications and economics at the University of Mainz and started his business career as a TV journalist for n-tv, the first news television channel in Germany. Later he moved into the automotive industry and joined the PR department of a premium car manufacturer in Stuttgart, Germany. After various positions in the passenger car division, he took over responsibility for events, trade shows and digital communication within global truck, bus and van communications. He heads a dedicated team which develops and manages communications projects, trade shows and product presentations around the globe. Thomas has also been intensively involved in the wine business for more than two decades. He sees great advantage in bringing his expertise in strategy, change management and digital communication together with his knowledge in wine. He concluded his WSET Diploma in 2010 and is now also a member of the WSET International Alumni Advisory Board. He works as a consultant, teacher and lecturer. He judges in wine competitions, runs wine seminars and masterclasses for professionals and enthusiasts, and writes articles spreading his passion for wine. When not travelling or developing new ideas and concepts in business, Thomas loves to run in the vineyards around his town or work in his garden.

Research paper

Current opportunities and threats for ProWein, Vinexpo, Vinitaly and London Wine Fair: An investigation into ProWein exhibitors’ attitudes towards European wine trade shows.

Dominic Farnsworth MW (UK)

Dominic is a partner at the London law firm Lewis Silkin where he specialises in intellectual property. He is both a solicitor and a trademark attorney and his practice focusses on brand protection, advertising and sport. He acts for a number of businesses in the drinks sector. His interest in wine was sparked by walking past Lay & Wheelers’ shop on the route to school. It was more reminiscent of an antiquarian bookshop than a retail store and the rows of unintelligible labels only added to the mystery. Love of the taste of wine followed and was reinforced by finding that wine had a tendency to be produced in some of the most beautiful parts of the world by interesting people. He followed the WSET route through to the Diploma. Then, setting himself the goal of either climbing Himalayan peaks or passing the MW, he took what he thought was the easier option! He lives in South West London, married with two children, and his other interests include music, travelling and mountains.

Research paper

The threats posed by government regulation to the sale of wine in the United Kingdom.

Lydia Harrison MW (UK)

Lydia was born and lives in London, where she enjoys the diversity of wines available. She started officially in the wine industry after university by joining Majestic Wine where she worked for six years, culminating in the position of senior manager of the Battersea branch. During this time she completed the WSET Level 3 and Diploma with distinction and was awarded several prizes for her exam results: trips to Jerez and the Douro which cemented her love for fortified wines, and the Vintners’ Scholarship for the highest mark in Diploma in the UK trade, which she used to tour New Zealand and its wine regions. She joined WSET School London in 2013 and teaches all levels of WSET wine qualifications, specialising in Bordeaux, fortified wines and tasting technique at Diploma level. She also organises an eclectic programme of evening tasting events and is a Bordeaux Ambassador for the Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux (CIVB).

Research paper

Online wine education – comparing motivations, satisfactions and outcomes of online vs. classroom students.

Heidi Mäkinen MW (Finland)

Heidi currently works in Helsinki as a wine ambassador for a Finnish wine importing company where her main tasks are on-trade wine education and portfolio development. At first, she studied theatre and drama research at university, yet after gaining her bachelor of arts she followed her bigger passion to work in hospitality and to learn more about wine. Before her current job she worked for 12 years on the restaurant floor, both in her native Finland and the UK. With her international work experience and knowledge gained from her success in national and international sommelier competitions she continues to help and mentor other professionals to develop themselves within the industry. Passionate and excited about food, wine and travel, Heidi is always looking at new opportunities to explore the world.

Research paper

A critical assessment of Finnish on-trade wine education – satisfaction levels and opportunities for development and improvement.

Christine Marsiglio MW (UK)

Christine is a Canadian residing in London, where she is a wine educator and programme manager at WSET School London, and mum to a three-year-old and a one-year-old. She recently contributed to the development of materials for the newly released WSET Diploma and teaches all WSET levels. Before discovering her love of wine education, Christine was tastings executive at Decanter where she ran panel tastings and helped organise the Decanter World Wine Awards. During the course of her MW and WSET Diploma studies, Christine was awarded scholarships from the Family of Twelve, Freixenet, and the Derouet Jameson Memorial Foundation. She holds an MSc in oenology and viticulture from École Supérieure d’Agriculture d’Angers, France, where her thesis focussed on the early detection of Brettanomyces in wineries. She also holds a BSc in chemistry and biology from the University of Alberta in Canada. Christine is a keen long-distance runner, cook, and traveller.

Research paper

The sensory effects of different lactic acid bacteria on wine.

Edward Ragg MW (PR China)

Edward co-founded Dragon Phoenix Wine Consulting in Beijing with his wife and partner Fongyee Walker MW in 2007. Having read English at Oxford University, Edward began blind-tasting at Cambridge whilst writing a Ph.D. on American poet and Burgundy tippler Wallace Stevens. A former captain and coach of the Cambridge blind-tasting team, Edward co-wrote and revises regularly the Cambridge University Guide to Blind-Tasting. He has also published widely in international wine magazines, literary journals and has authored three collections of poetry. Formerly a Professor at Tsinghua University (2007-2017), he completed his WSET Diploma in 2012 and began the MW study programme in 2015. Together with Fongyee, he is the other authorised tutor of the WSET Diploma in mainland China. Edward also has judging experience, serving as guest international judge for the McLaren Vale Wine Show (2012) and Perth Royal Wine Show (2019), as well as judging in Chinese competitions. He is keen to expand his international judging experience and also make wine in future.

Research paper

Portfolio management strategies of major Chinese wine importers: an analysis of the evolving mainland Chinese import market 2008-2018.

Gus Jian Zhu MW (USA)

Gus has become a seasoned wine educator under the tutelage of Fongyee Walker MW and Edward Ragg MW, the co-founders of Dragon Phoenix Wine Consulting. He has combined his wine education resulting in an MSc in viticulture and enology from UC Davis, with practical winemaking experience at Napa Valley’s Cakebread Cellars, and hospitality and sales experience at the Hall Winery in Napa. Gus’ commitment to the academic field of wine is evidenced by his MW research paper about the sensory science of wine; and by co-authoring a review paper, A Quarter Century of Wine Pigment Discovery, published in the Journal of Food and Agriculture. Gus provides education and consulting services at Gus Zhu Wine Consulting. He works as an international consultant on wine education and is committed to sharing his knowledge as a certified educator for all levels of WSET qualifications in wines. Gus shares his expertise with global WSET Diploma candidates in the online classroom and as a guest lecturer at the Dragon Phoenix in Beijing and Napa Valley Wine Academy.

Research paper

The impact of acidity adjustments on the sensory perception of a Californian Chardonnay.

The Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) is a membership organisation with an unsurpassed international reputation. Its Members – the Masters of Wine (MWs) – hold the most respected title in the world of wine. The IMW promotes excellence, interaction and learning across all sectors of the global wine community. MWs have proved their understanding of all aspects of wine by passing the MW examination, recognised worldwide for its rigour and high standards. In addition to passing the examination, MWs are required to sign the code of conduct before they are entitled to use the initials MW. The code of conduct requires MWs to act with honesty and integrity, and use every opportunity to share their understanding of wine with others. There are currently 390 Masters of Wine today, working in 30 countries. The membership encompasses winemakers, buyers, journalists, shippers, business owners, consultants, academics, and wine educators. There were 359 students in the MW study programme from over 45 countries.

The Art of Toasting Moutai From China

October 11, 2019 by evebushman

Camus is delighted to invite you to a dynamic culture event to learn and experience the Chinese way of toasting and fine dining, with the iconic spirit Moutai and one of its kind Baccarat crystal drink set. Dress code: Elegant with a touch of red.

Well this was a new one for me. Never heard of the Chinese spirit Moutai or used the Baccarat crystal drink set. Intrigued by the idea of learning how to properly toast with a Chinese spirit, I was ready to learn. But first what is Moutai? From Wikipedia: Maotai or Moutai is a brand of baijiu, a distilled Chinese liquor, made in the town of Maotai in China’s Guizhou province. Produced by the state-owned Kweichow Moutai Company, the beverage is distilled from fermented sorghum and now comes in several different varieties. From the box: Made “only in small quantities” yearly, this “small batch blend” is “available only in the finest duty-free shops around the world.” 53% alcohol.

In the course of the evening (photos here) we tasted the spirit in two cocktails and on its own, both the Moutai Small Batch Blend ($275) and the Moutai Legendary China Collection Edition Li Bai ($375). This second edition “honors Li Bai (701-762) regarded as one of the greatest and most prolific poets of the Tang dynasty.”

But, before I get too ahead of myself, before the first cocktail we were entertained by a Chinese calligraphy artist, then before the first sip of Moutai on its own, we were told and shown the proper way to toast with Moutai and told that “in China we greet with spirits, with meaning and with gravity – to the future…Moutai is always considered the national symbol of China” and all Chinese enjoy toasting special occasions with Moutai.

To toast the spirit is poured at room temperature into a tiny glass “invented by Moutai” and then some simple rules are to be followed: Always fill to the rim, hold with both hands to toast each other, the person who wants to show respect to the host, for seniority or to ladies is to bring their glass lower than the person extending the toast. This last part can be quite fun as people will go down to the ground to get their glass lower than their esteemed friend. Then, more rules included “never leave a comrade’s glass empty” so you must help them to fill it. Never drink alone at dinner. If you are toasted then you must toast in return. Don’t toast before the host toasts – who may toast to each table in the room. Then, and only then, it’s fair game to toast more people. The Li Bai edition was served with small Baccarat red crystal decanters into small round matching crystal glasses.

For me, always the student, after noting all of the rules in toasting I settled in to smell and taste both levels of Moutai. I got strong umami notes, soy sauce, salinity, grilled mushroom and maybe a hint of the terracotta vats the spirit had rested in before bottling.

After that first sip we enjoyed a multi-course Chinese influenced dinner, while listening to different musicians and watching a cultural dance. By the end of the evening, and several more toasts of Moutai – for those that had drivers – I believe everyone attending walked away with not only more knowledge about the Chinese spirit, but an appreciation for Moutai and what China brings to the proverbial global table.

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

Self-Translating Wine Labels Becoming the New Standard

August 11, 2019 by evebushman

GEELONG, Australia, PRNewswire/ — Clever technology, enabling shoppers to read wine labels written in any language will soon become the standard among savvy shoppers, according to Digital Marketing Specialist Dave Chaffey.

Third Aurora, the tech startup led by Chaffey, announced today that the technology would be rolled out to their Winerytale platform in 2020.

A prototype video, shown on the Third Aurora website, demonstrates the solution for two different wines. In both cases, English text is instantaneously translated to Chinese, with the new content remarkably woven into the original label, indistinguishable from the original.

Watch the video

But the ground-breaking technology, which translates more than one hundred languages. comes with a catch, albeit a small one.

Behind the scenes, two technologies are at work. According to Chaffey, “Artificial intelligence reads and interprets the content and augmented reality projects the new text back onto the label, right in front of you.”

So, what’s the catch? Well, it seems that it’s not actually the label doing the work.

“Self-translating is a bit of a misnomer,” says Chaffey, quick to correct. “The labels aren’t actually changing, the translation is projected using augmented reality, which is powered by your smartphone.”

“If you’re a wine lover it’s a handy addition to have in your front pocket,” said the softly-spoken Chaffey, who foresees rapid change is coming “it’s definitely picking up pace – this sort of technology will reach tipping point very quickly – we think it will be towards the end of 2020.”

If Chaffey is right, wine sellers will be all smiles, gaining a handy leg up in lucrative export markets such as China, which is expecting double digit growth until 2025.

Matched to Millennials

The Winerytale platform is the first of a new breed of marketing, connecting consumers and producers, literally through products.

Winerytale showcases wineries from their own wine labels, presenting their story through the spectacle of augmented reality, involving video, text, and 3D objects in virtual space.

But the bedrock is the strong social angle. And the payoff is the direct to consumer-purchasing.

This strong combination.is widely anticipated to win over the millennial market and is understood to have been behind the recent surge of applications from international wineries to join field trials.

For more information including demonstration videos, and images, please visit https://thirdaurora.com/self-translating-wine-labels

Get the App | Google Play | iOS

About Third Aurora

Launched in January 2019, Third Aurora is a tech startup built on track record of innovation, resourcefulness and entrepreneurship – harnessing new technology to create solutions that impact, globally.

The three partners – Matt Hallberg, Luke Chaffey, and Dave Chaffey are recognised specialists in their respective fields of augmented reality, software development, and digital marketing strategy.

And in the true spirit of collaboration, the three are building a future together, even though Matt and the Chaffeys have never actually met face to face. Matt Hallberg lives in Pittsburgh, USA. The Chaffeys reside in Geelong, Australia.

Third Aurora has offices in Pittsburgh & Geelong.

Vintage Eve October 2015: Giving the Double Golds a Try – For You!

December 4, 2018 by evebushman

The San Francisco Competitions Double Gold Tour gives wine and spirits professionals a unique opportunity to taste the Competitions’ top winners and to discover the next trending tastes, styles and varietals we’ll be seeing in 2016…

And with that said your trusty wine and spirits reporter headed over to Ocean Prime in the center of Beverly Hills to spend the better part of an hour investigating which of the Double Golds I thought our readers might like to try. (Warning: Some of these wines and spirits may not yet be available in your state.)

The “Perlis Team” from Eve’s Wine 101 was also covering the tasting. Michael and Karen were there to taste and make notes primarily on the wines, while I put my focus on the spirits…and a little vino too. This is my report, please keep in mind that this was a walk-around tasting so I was juggling pen, paper, camera and a glass so my notes are somewhat sparse:

Desert Dry Gin, AKA Commerce Gin. Arizona, USA. https://www.facebook.com/AZDistilling?fref=ts Loved the list on the back of what was added to this most interesting gin: Cardamom, Coriander, Cumin, Cinnamon, lime zest, Lavender, apple + eight more botanicals all from northern Arizona. Well done. Best thing I tasted all day. 98 Eve pts.

G+ London Dry Gin, Austria. 90 Eve pts.

Master’s Dry Gin, Barcelona, Spain. 89 Eve pts.

Shui Jing Fang Baijiu, Sichuan, China. Killer aroma and flavors, and the presentation, beautiful etched glass bottle set in it’s own wooden stand, set them apart. From the website: Baijiu is distinct because of its use of distilling yeast during the distillation process. It is also the only one of the four top distilled liquors to use solids in the fermentation process. 97 Eve pts.

Tepoz Silver Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico. I had to agree with the coasters they were giving out with a taste, they read “Fit for a God.” This triple distilled 100% agave silver tequila was, and I’m not kidding, the smoothest tequila I have ever had. 95 Eve pts.

J.P. Trodden Small Batch Bourbon, Woodinville, Washington, USA. 91 Eve pts.

Wemyss Malts 12 Year Old “The Hive” Scotch, Speyside, Scotland. After tasting this blend of 16 different single malts I wanted to try their two other single malt blends that were also medal winners. Too bad they weren’t there to taste too: Peat Chimney from the Islay and Spice King from the Highlands. 91 Eve pts.

Oban Little Bay Single Malt Scotch, Highland, Scotland. 92 Eve pts.

Lagavulin 16 Year Old Single Malt Scotch, Islands, Scotland. I always think of my husband when I have a peaty scotch like Lagavulin. He calls it an “angry scotch” as he would have a glass after a particularly rough night at the fire station. There was nothing angry, except for the peat, in this scotch. Very smooth and welcoming. 95 Eve pts.

Revel Chion Grappa Di Moscato, Torino, Italy. Simply lovely on the nose and palate, with 18 months in oak casks making it classified as a reserve, 42% alcohol. 94 Eve pts.

Nohrlund Strawberry Rhubarb Vodka Cocktail, Bottled Cocktails, Aarhus, Denmark. All three drinks from their cocktail program won medals and I was happy to taste, along with the Double Gold Strawberry Rhubarb, the Sea Buckthorn (Google that, I had to), Rose Hip and Rum and the Elderflower, Ginger and Gin. My favorite was the latter, and it reminded me a little of a Moscow Mule. The strawberry had such nice fruit, like a puree, I can see why it won the Double Gold. A collective 90 Eve pts.

Bauchant Liqueur, Product of France, “a blend of fine cognac and orange essence.” The gentleman that was tasting alongside of me thought it fit for a Margarita. I told him I like to use something this fine instead of vermouth in a vodka Martini. Either way you pour it it’s very fine stuff. 91 Eve pts.

Champagne Collet, NV Brut, Art Deco, Champagne, France. Lovely fruit cocktail on the nose and palate, pretty art deco label too. Want to have this again. 95 Eve pts.

Silk Oak, 2013 Chardonnay, Lodi, USA. A nice classic style Chardonnay. 89 Eve pts.

Vasco Urbano Wine, 2013 Grenache, Norm, Marina Ranch, Livermore Valley, USA. Fun label has a drawing of “Norm” and lists harvest date, brix and alcohol. A nice tasty Grenache I will look for. 88 Eve pts.

The Counselor, 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, River Pass Vineyard, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, USA. Another cool label with a sketch of an old vine. Tasty wine. 90 Eve pts.

Columbia Crest Winery, 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, H3, Horse Heaven Hills, USA. I don’t think I’ve had a Columbia Crest wine in awhile, and I’d never had one from Horse Heaven Hills. Quite a nice wine. 89 Eve pts.

TAO Vineyards, 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, Los Angeles, CA. Well. This L.A. wine, come to find, is from a very small vineyard in Agoura Hills and can be found, possibly along with up to six of their other wines, for tasting at the Cornell Winery and Tasting Room. I was charmed by this Cab and will try and seek them out to taste their full lineup. 90 Eve pts.

Get a look at the labels via this 1-minute YouTube too.

About San Francisco International Wine Competition: The San Francisco International Wine Competition is the largest and most influential international wine competition in America, and is judged by a prestigious panel of nationally recognized wine experts. Judging is based on a blind, consensual procedure, ensuring competitive integrity as it remains the nation’s most respected wine competition. 2015 marks the 35th year of the annual competition. www.sfwinecomp.com

About San Francisco World Spirits Competition: The San Francisco World Spirits Competition is regarded as the most respected spirits competition in the world. The competition was the first comprehensive, international spirits judging held in the United States on an annual basis. Products are evaluated by top spirits professionals and are judged in a blind, consensual procedure ensuring competitive integrity and making this annual competition the most reputable and recognized competition in the spirits industry. www.sfspiritscomp.com

Eve Bushman has been reading, writing, taking coursework and tasting wine for over 20 years. She has obtained a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, has been the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and recently served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits that may be answered in a future column. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com

Vinexpo New York Returns to the Big Apple March 4-5, 2019

November 7, 2018 by evebushman

NEW YORK – Returning for its second year, Vinexpo New York – the leading international exhibition for wine and spirits professionals in North America – will take place March 4-5, 2019 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The exhibit is strategically organized to ensure the creation and growth of business relationships between international producers and American importers, distributors, retailers, brokers, e-commerce representatives, on-trade buyers and sommeliers. Registration for attendees is now open, with an early bird rate offered through Nov. 30, 2018.

Jointly organized with Diversified Communications, Vinexpo New York is open exclusively to trade professionals and features two days of business meetings, educational conferences, master classes, tastings and networking events. Mary Larkin, executive vice president of Diversified Communications remarked, “After the remarkable success of Vinexpo New York 2018, we are thrilled to partner with Vinexpo for another year and welcome back the international wine and spirits industry to the world’s largest wine-consuming market.”

Signature offerings like Vinexpo’s complimentary One to Wine Meetings matchmaking service will return to New York in 2019, and exhibitors and attendees can also look forward to new features like WOW! World of Organic Wines, an exhibit and tasting area devoted exclusively to organic and biodynamic wines and spirits from around the world. Complete 2019 programming will be announced shortly.

“As last year’s exhibit showed, the demand to break into the U.S. market is greater than ever before,” said Christophe Navarre, president of the Vinexpo Supervisory Board. “With a list of exhibitors that is constantly expanding, Vinexpo New York will once again be the single best opportunity for U.S. importers, distributors, sommeliers and other trade professionals to meet hundreds of international producers in one location.”

Exhibitors at Vinexpo New York will represent wine-producing regions from around the globe, including many that are introducing products to the North American market for the first time. To date, countries returning to exhibit include: Argentina, Austria, France, Germany, Greece and Italy, as well as Portugal, Russia, South Africa, Spain and the United States. New to the 2019 show floor, thus far, are exhibitors from China, Romania and Serbia.

For more information or to register to attend, visit https://www.vinexponewyork.com/.

About Vinexpo

Since its establishment in Bordeaux in 1981, on the initiative of Bordeaux Gironde’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Vinexpo has been a leading organizer of events for the wine and spirits industry. In 37 years, Vinexpo has developed a unique understanding of the market and an extensive network of key distributors around the World. The brand currently runs exhibitions in four set locations (Bordeaux, Hong Kong, New York and soon Paris), and the touring event Vinexpo Explorer. The Group also publishes every year the Vinexpo/IWSR Report, which is the most comprehensive survey of the global consumption of wine and spirits. For more information, visit www.vinexpo.com. Join Vinexpo on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn.

Hengshui Laobaigan is the First Chinese Liquor to Win the Global Spirit Awards

September 17, 2018 by evebushman

NEW YORK (PRWEB) – The Chinese baijiu, Hengshui Laobaigan received top honors at the recent Global Spirit Awards Competition held in Las Vegas, Nevada. Judges for the competition sampled the world’s best liquors from several categories including vodka, tequila, rum, bourbon, scotch whisky, liqueur and Chinese liquor. The Laobaigan 1915 was awarded the prestigious Best in Category award. In addition, The Laobaigan 5 Star and Laobaigan 1915 were each named Double Gold Winners by the panel of judges.

The jury for the 2018 Global Spirit Awards Competition was comprised of 18 experienced spirits masters with a strong background in spirits production and bartending. They included Steve Beal, founder of the San Francisco world spirits contest and one of America’s top distilling experts. The judging process for the specialty spirit categories began with a double-blind tasting preliminary round, with the best spirits advancing to the Sweepstakes Rounds, where the Double Gold and The Best of Show Categories were awarded.

Americans can be hesitant to try Chinese baijiu (the term, “baijiu” means “clear liquor”) due to its exotic taste. As far back as 1915, Hengshui Laobaigan won the Panama World Exposition top prize and marked the product’s entrance into the US market. Today’s multiple prizes from the Global Spirits Awards continues the tradition of Hengshui Laobaigan’s baijiu earning recognition and respect from western judges.

The Secret of Hengshui Laobaigan’s Brewing: The Mysterious Underground Urn
There are many types of Chinese liquor, which can be challenging for the uninitiated. In China, baijiu is often used to accompany meals and is paired to match the taste of Chinese food. Most Chinese baijiu have a strong and distinct flavor, which can cause many American drinkers to choose more familiar liquors.

But the fact that Hengshui Laobaigan 1915 was recognized by the Global Spirit Awards suggests that not all Chinese spirits are the same. The liquor’s distinct taste is known as “Lao Bai Gan Xiang Xing,” which comes from its unique underground Urn brewing method.

Unlike the western custom of using oak barrels or sherry barrels for storage, Hengshui Laobaigan produces their liquors in ceramic tanks buried in the ground.

A study from the China Academy of Food and Fermentation showed that Hengshui Laobaigan’s dry ground cylinder fermentation process can effectively isolate impurities and harmful microbial pollution, the impurity content is less than one-tenth of China’s national standard, creating a more mellow and clean flavor.

The process, which has been used for thousands of years, produces a great tasting liquor without a needlessly high alcohol content.

Chinese scientists have also conducted microbiological research on the Laobaigan underground cylinder brewing technology. The Microorganism and Applied Enzyme Laboratory of Jiangnan University collaborated with Hengshui Laobaigan to produce a study entitled, “Environmental Microbiota Drives Microbial Processes and Metabolic Profiles for Chinese Liquor” published by Dr. Xueshan Wang. The study was selected as the cover article by Applied and Environmental Microbiology, an authoritative publication founded by the American Society for Microbiology.

This Mystery Liquor Conquered America a Hundred Years Ago
In 1915, The 1915 Panama Pacific International Exposition Was Held In San Francisco. Hengshui Laobaigan’s Predecessor, Zhili Kaoliang Liquor, was submitted to the panel of judges. With its mellow and sweet taste and transparent color, Zhili Kaoliang won the “First Class Medallion” of the Panama Pacific International Exposition.

To commemorate this milestone in the company’s history, the manufacturer introduced “Laobaigan 1915” to the marketplace. The product’s recent award at the Global Spirit Awards proves that Chinese liquor can be adapted to American tastes.

Today, with western liquors such as whiskey and vodka consumed within the Chinese market, the makers of Laobaigan seek to foster a reciprocal appreciation for Chinese baijiu. With its award-wining taste and thousand-year history, Laobaigan deserves a place in every American liquor cabinet.

Ming River Baijiu Launches In The United States

July 18, 2018 by evebushman

NEW YORK (PRWEB) – Ming River Sichuan Baijiu proudly announces its launch in the United States. Crafted by China’s oldest continuously operating distillery, Ming River is produced using time-honored methods passed from master to apprentice for over 20 generations. With a passion to introduce an authentic baijiu for international spirit lovers, Ming River was founded by Simon Dang (Global Director of Marketing), Matthias Heger (Head of European Operations), Bill Isler (Chief Executive Officer), and Derek Sandhaus (Director of Category Education). Sandhaus is a leading global authority on baijiu, and the author of “Baijiu: The Essential Guide to Chinese Spirits,” the first English-language guide to baijiu.

Team photo.

“Baijiu has for years been the world’s most popular spirits category, but it’s still not well understood outside of China. There’s a tendency in Western media to focus on the drink’s potency and otherness, which misses the fact that baijiu is a diverse category of spirits with expressions that come in many strengths and styles. Two baijius can be as distinct from one another as gin is to tequila,” says Sandhaus. “There’s also a cultural dimension to alcohol in China. The Chinese have been producing distinctive alcoholic beverages for several millennia, and baijiu for about the last thousand years. It’s inseparable from the Chinese culinary tradition, and it contains a range of aromas and flavors one can’t find in any other type of spirit.”

Each batch of Ming River Baijiu starts with mash from locally harvested red sorghum grain and the purest waters from protected wells. It is fermented in earthen vessels with naturally harvested yeast cultures native to the lush river town of Luzhou that impart the distinctive terroir of Sichuan-style baijiu. After two months, the mash is unearthed and distilled in small batches using a traditional Chinese pot still. The spirits age for up to two years before the master blender balances them into Ming River’s distinctive flavor. The result is an uncompromisingly bold spirit with notes of pineapple and anise with a lingering mellow finish.

Baijiu is traditionally enjoyed neat at room temperature. Ming River’s fruity sweetness is the perfect counterpoint to the numbing spice of Sichuanese cuisine. As a clear but decidedly non-neutral spirit, in mixed drinks Ming River’s bold aroma and flavor can be called upon to perform like a rhum agricole, Jamaican pot distilled rum or a Batavia arrack, effortlessly finding a home in tiki drinks while also opening new possibilities for sours and aperitifs. Many classic recipes can also be reinvigorated by incorporating Ming River baijiu as a split base or even just as a rinse.

Ming River is available in a 750-ml. format, beginning in the states of New York, New Jersey, and California through Park Street Imports. Ming River is currently available now for purchase at Brooklyn Wine Exchange for $34. In July, Ming River will be featured in the cocktail menus at Kings Co. Imperial LES developed by Justin Lane Briggs and at Win Son by Jesse Shapell.

About Ming River (http://www.mingriver.com)
Ming River is the original Sichuan baijiu. Crafted by Luzhou Laojiao, China’s oldest continuously operating distillery since 1573. It uses time honored traditional methods passed from master to apprentice for over 20 generations. Ming River is distilled from grain, 45% alc./vol, Imported by Park Street Imports, LLC, Miami, FL.