2021-2022: An eventful season ahead for Vinexposium

October 7, 2021 by evebushman

Vinexposium is boosting the recovery of the wine and spirits trade in the global arena by hosting seven in-person events over the next nine months. Economic activity is promising to resume and Vinexposium is readying to orchestrate a raft of pivotal business gatherings. The group will be travelling to today’s and tomorrow’s key markets to maximise interactions between wine and spirits producers from around the globe and qualified buyers. Drawing on its digital development and its long-standing support of the industry, Vinexposium is ready to help drive export sales for industry members through a complete roster of dedicated events.

Autumn

The group’s next event, the World Bulk Wine Exhibition (WBWE), which now embraces all wine and spirits categories, is due to take place in Amsterdam on November 22 and 23. It brings together all strands of the bulk wine industry, a segment which now covers 34% of wine exports across the globe (source: OIV 2021). Vinexpo Shanghai, scheduled from 20 to 22 October, will not be running due to health restrictions in China which do not allow Vinexposium to guarantee a high-performance return on investment for its clients. The end of the year will be marked by the launch of Vinexpo India from 9 to 11 December in New Delhi, which will be held concurrently with SIAL India. Vinexpo India’s mission is to provide the spark for producers from around the world to establish relations with distributors and retailers in a high-potential growth market.

Winter

Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris will be the first major international event of 2022 for the global wine and spirits industry. Highly anticipated for its ability to generate business meetings, it will take place from 14 to 16 February at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles and will bring together all of France’s wine regions along with an extensive variety of international wine regions. The event is set to mark the return of in-person events within the industry. The following month, the destination is North America with Vinexpo America and Drinks America slated for 9 and 10 March in New York. The two co-located events will bring together the entire beverage alcohol industry. Vinexpo America will be exclusively aimed at wines, whilst Drinks America, a new addition to the Vinexposium calendar, will focus on spirits and all beverage alcohol.

Spring

Vinexpo Hong Kong, the strategic platform for business in South-East Asia, will be held from 24 to 26 May at the HKCEC for a three-day event where meetings, discoveries and engagement with importers, distributors, sommeliers and international producers will set the tempo. Vinexpo Bordeaux rounds off the season in June, once again flying the international flag across the city in a renewed format combining off-beat encounters, trade meetings and industry-consumer prospective insight.

“We are delighted to be rolling out for the first time under the Vinexposium banner, an events calendar packed with marketing opportunities! Through our seven forthcoming events, our clients will finally be able to get back to the in-person events that are absolutely essential for tasting and conviviality. 2022 will most certainly be a celebration, honouring business and the world of wine and spirits”, comments Rodolphe Lameyse, CEO of Vinexposium.

“With its events set to resume, Vinexposium is fully prepared to provide producers and buyers with support through its range of international business experiences. There is no doubt in my mind that going forward, the group will more than ever before offer a crucial source of business for the wine and spirits industry”, adds Christophe Navarre, chairman of the Vinexposium board.

An events calendar catering to each continent

22-23 November 2021: World Bulk Wine Exhibition (WBWE) in Amsterdam
9-11 December 2021: Vinexpo India in New Delhi
14-16 February 2022: Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris
9-10 March 2022: Vinexpo America and Drinks America in New York
26-28 May 2022: Vinexpo Hong Kong
June 2022: Vinexpo Bordeaux

The group is also preparing to ramp up its digital portal Vinexposium Connect to maximise the scope of its events and provide an even greater service to the industry 365 days a year, across the entire globe.

For more information, visit Vinexposium.com

About Vinexposium

Owned jointly (50/50) by global events organiser Comexposium and Vinexpo Holding (owned by the Bordeaux-Gironde Chamber of Commerce and Industry, CCIBG), Vinexposium is the world’s leading organiser of wine and spirits trade events. Vinexposium brings together an extensive range of high-performance events catering to different market segments through its portfolio of iconic, recognised events: Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris, Vinexpo America, Drinks America, Vinexpo Hong Kong, Vinexpo Bordeaux, Vinexpo Shanghai, WBWE Amsterdam, as well as Vinexpo Explorer and World Wine Meetings.

Martha Stewart Wine Co. Announces Brand Expansion

September 22, 2021 by evebushman

LOS ANGELES /PRNewswire/ — Marquee Brands, DRINKS, and Martha Stewart Wine Co., the online wine collection featuring a selection of wines hand-picked by America’s lifestyle expert Martha Stewart, celebrates a year of landmark partnerships, including new collections with Kroger, The Wine Shop on the Instacart Marketplace and Macy’s Wine Shop, and unprecedented growth in customer demand as online wine continues to surge in popularity.

“Over the past four years, I have sampled thousands of wines for our Martha Stewart Wine Co. customers. Only the best bottles make the cut,” said Martha Stewart. “As we approach the holiday season, I am excited to share these delicious and affordable wines with the millions of Instacart and Macy’s Wine Shop customers across the nation. Now, it’s easier than ever to pour the right wine, and enjoy the best wine, at every occasion.”

Origins + Early Brand Expansion

Martha Stewart Wine Co. offers customers the option to purchase individual bottles, curated packs, or a no-obligation quarterly wine club, as well as special occasion gift memberships all with the convenience and safety of home delivery. Since its founding in 2017, the brand has developed a loyal following and has methodically expanded its reach through various strategic partnerships:

In 2018, Martha began showcasing her namesake wines during on-air appearances on QVC, resulting in numerous sold-out promotions
In 2019, the brand partnered with DRINKS Wine as a Service (WaaS) client Boxed to offer exclusive sets of wines to its customers
That same year, Martha Stewart introduced her flagship capsule collection with Wine Insiders, the Internet’s preeminent destination for premium wine at everyday low prices; wines from the Martha Stewart Wine Co. collection are now in more than 20% of Wine Insiders orders

Surging Growth of Online Wine + New Partnerships

Martha Stewart Wine Co. has been steadily growing since its inception and the last year was the most pivotal in the brand’s history in which it tripled sales.

During the same period, DRINKS expanded the network of high-profile storefronts for Martha Stewart Wine Co.:

Kroger: Last month, the brand introduced a collection on Kroger Wine bringing Martha’s unique collection of affordable premium wine to Kroger’s ship-to-home program reaching customers in 19 states, plus Washington D.C.
Macy’s: In May, the brand debuted a collection on Macy’s Wine Shop, the retailer’s new online wine store
Instacart: In late 2020, the brand curated a collection of wines for The Wine Shop on the Instacart marketplace, a ship-to-home wine offering available exclusively on Instacart — representing Martha Stewart Wine Co.’s first foray into reaching the massively growing audience of online delivery platforms

“Martha Stewart is undoubtedly the queen of entertaining, with one of the most expansive and enduring lifestyle brands in the world. Four years ago — before the world was paying attention — Martha recognized the unmet opportunity in online wine,” said Zac Brandenberg, Co-founder & CEO of DRINKS. “We were honored to partner with her and bring Martha Stewart Wine Co. to life. Today, we’re thrilled to see how the brand has grown and evolved to span not only its DTC online shop, but also to other retailers, brands, and marketplaces.”

About Martha Stewart Wine Co.
Martha Stewart Wine Co., powered by online adult beverage leader DRINKS, is a curated wine collection and online wine shop featuring a selection of wines hand-picked by America’s lifestyle expert Martha Stewart. Martha Stewart Wine Co. offers a selection of delicious, affordable, and Martha-approved wines to customers in 41 states plus D.C., with fast, no-cost shipping on orders of more than six bottles. Martha Stewart Wine Co. offerings include red, white, sparkling, and rosé varietals, available by individual bottles and in packs of six or twelve. Customers can also choose to join an effortless wine club, receiving a 12-pack of hand-picked wine every 12 weeks.

About DRINKS
DRINKS (http://www.drinks.com) connects retailers, brands, and marketplaces to the $250 billion alcohol market. The company’s innovative Wine as a Service (WaaS) platform enables its partners to bring adult beverages safely and conveniently to their customers across the United States in 1-2 days. DRINKS optimizes alcohol e-commerce with its patented DRINKS IQ technology, which empowers retailers to leverage AI-based predictive merchandising and marketing to personalize customer experiences. DRINKS was named a top place to work by Built In LA for the last three years, one of America’s Best Startup Employers by Forbes for the past two years, and was recognized as the Most Innovative Retail Model by Modern Retail in 2020.

About Marquee Brands
Marquee Brands is a leading global brand owner and marketer. Owned by investor funds managed by Neuberger Berman, one of the world’s leading employee-owned investment managers, Marquee Brands targets high-quality brands with strong consumer awareness and long-term growth potential. Marquee Brands seeks to identify brands in various consumer product segments with the goal of expanding their reach across retail channels, geography, and product categories while preserving the brand heritage and enhancing the ultimate consumer experience. Through its global team of professionals and partners, Marquee Brands monitors trends and markets in order to grow and manage brands in partnership with retailers, licensees, and manufacturers through engaging, impactful, strategic planning, marketing, and e-commerce. www.marqueebrands.com. In 2019, Marquee Brands acquired the Martha Stewart brand, which reaches approximately 100 million consumers across all media and merchandising platforms each month. Martha Stewart is the Founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia and America’s most trusted lifestyle expert and teacher. Her branded products can be found in more than 70 million households and have a growing retail presence in thousands of locations.

The Ford Announces Culinary Partnership with Plant-Based Chef Jocelyn Ramirez of Todo Verde for 2021 Concert Season

August 7, 2021 by evebushman

Plant-Based Menu and Beverages are Featured at the Ford Terrace Café and Grab & Go Market

LOS ANGELES, CA – The Ford, the 1,200-seat Los Angeles amphitheater nestled into the Hollywood Hills, announces a new culinary program designed by celebrated chef and community activist Jocelyn Ramirez of Todo Verde. Beginning July 30, 2021, attendees of The Ford’s performing arts programs began to order food and beverages at Todo Verde at the Terrace or the Grab & Go Market with Ramirez’ flavor-rich and healthy plant-based menu of dishes and drinks.

Jocelyn Ramirez founded Todo Verde in 2015 with a mission to create delicious and healthy foods inspired by her Mexican and South American roots for her Eastside Mexican community. As one of the most popular vendors at Smorgasburg LA, Ramirez continues to learn about the health benefits of nutrient-dense food and healthy ecosystems and shares her knowledge of healthy living through workshops, dialogues and food demonstrations throughout the community.

Photo credit Lindsay Kreighbaum.

Ramirez is thrilled to have the opportunity to introduce her menu at The Ford, stating, “This is such a moment for chefs of color in Los Angeles, and I’m honored to be a part of The Ford’s season as the first plant-based food concessionaire to take over a major music venue in the city of Los Angeles. Just six years ago, Todo Verde was founded and has become a staple across LA’s farmers’ markets and Smorgasburg LA. Now we are happy to call The Ford home, serving up some of our signatures like tacos de carnitas, ceviche, mulitas de chorizo and more.”

In addition to three types of tacos – Mushroom y Mole, Jackfruit Carnitas con Pipian Verde and Chorizo-Spiced-Seared Mushroom, – Todo Verde offers several dishes to share: Ceviche de Palmitas with hearts of palm in citrus and olive oil served with avocado, tomato, cilantro, jalapeño, cucumber, black sesame & tortilla chips; Como La Flor of quinoa, cilantro micro greens, tomato, cucumber & orange, served with citrus-dressed mixed greens; Mulita of house-made cashew cheese melted between blue corn tortillas with house-made plant-based “chorizo,” cashew crema & pickled red onion; Nachos with house-made plant-based nacho cheese over tortilla chips with choice of plant-based “chorizo” or jackfruit, cashew crema & pico de gallo; and Poblano Mac y Cheese with fire-roasted poblano cashew queso and wheat semolina macaroni.

Desserts include Cacao Pudding, a cacao-and avocado-based pudding spiced with cinnamon, vanilla, maple syrup with strawberry reduction, dehydrated strawberries & pistachio crumble; and Plant-Based Cheesecake of creamy cashew-based lemon cheesecake with toasted almond cashew crust, cacao ganache and lemon zest.

To complement these menus are Todo Verde’s refreshing agua frescas, Strawberry Rose and Black Rice Horchata, which are available in both non-alcoholic and spiked versions using craft spirits. Guests may select craft beers from SouthNorte Beer Co. (San Diego) and Baja Brewing (Tijuana) and natural wines from small producers Sassara and Las Jaras wineries.

The Grab & Go Market features some of Todo Verde’s favorite food businesses that embody the cultural flavors that define Los Angeles. Carnivores, pescatarians and vegetarians can choose from Ramirez’s curated collection: George’s Boyle Heights Bean & Cheese Burrito or Ground Beef Burrito; Seoul Sausage Korean Fried Chicken; Bridgetown Roti Garlic Trini Eggplant & Scallion or Green Curry Shrimp & Potato; Toss It up Caesar Salad or a Southwestern Chicken Salad; Maison Matho French Ham & Butter Sandwich; Mama Musubi Curry Chicken Musubi or Yuzu Salmon Musubu; and Plantae Sushi Miso Avocado Roll or Spicy “Tuna” Roll. Ramirez includes a vegan and traditional Cheese Box served with accompaniments, and for dessert, Madame Shugah cookies; Omiso cookies; Bijoux Macarons; Coolhaus dairy-free ice-cream sandwiches; and Buttery Co kettle and cheddar corn. The Grab & Go Market offers an expansive selection of local craft beers and natural wines by the glass and bottle.

To browse the complete Todo Verde at the Terrace Café menu or to order online on show days (90 minute window) click HERE. To view the complete Grab & Go Market offerings, click HERE. To learn more about dining and picnicking at The Ford, click HERE.

About Jocelyn Ramirez:

Todo Verde founder Jocelyn Ramirez is a plant-based chef, college professor, yoga instructor and advocate for healthy food access in her community. After Jocelyn’s father was diagnosed with cancer for the second time, she created a plant-based superfood smoothie diet that made him dramatically stronger and helped with a quick recovery. She founded Todo Verde in 2015 and left her career in higher education to pursue a new path in foodways related to culture and tradition, and she references traditional recipes passed down for generations within her family. Her business offers a robust catering division and can be experienced at farmers’ markets and at Smorgasburg LA in DTLA. Jocelyn’s background includes Fine Art, Design and Business degrees, and she has trained at the Matthew Kenney Culinary Institute. Her work has been featured in several publications, including Los Angeles Times, USA Today, Vice, Spotify, Buzzfeed, Smithsonian, and Bon Appetit. Jocelyn published her first cookbook, La Vida Verde: Plant-Based Mexican Cooking with Authentic Flavor (Page Street), in 2020. In 2017, Jocelyn co-founded Across Our Kitchen Tables, an organization focused on uplifting women of color in the food industry that hosts skill-shares and an annual symposium. She currently sits on the Culinary Advisory Board for Food Forward and the Leadership Board for the Los Angeles Food Policy Council.

About The Ford

The Ford is one of the oldest performing arts venues in Los Angeles, with an outdoor 1,200-seat amphitheater and a rich history dating back to 1920. Situated in a 32-acre park and under the stewardship of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, The Ford presents an eclectic summer season of music, dance, film and family events that are reflective of the communities that comprise Los Angeles.

Sweden Creates the World’s Largest Open-Air Bar

July 8, 2021 by evebushman

Following the success of the 2019 Edible Country campaign is the launch of Drinkable Country – the largest, open-air, world-class bar led by internationally acclaimed team at Tjoget, and other leading Swedish beverage experts. Starting June 15, visitors can book a seat at more than 16 tables located in some of Sweden’s most beautiful natural landscapes for a chance to enjoy a selection of drinks and DIY recipes reflecting the country’s 100-million-acre natural pantry.

New York, NY – The world’s largest, outdoor, socially distanced bar is opening this summer in Swedish nature. In 2019, Sweden launched The Edible Country, the world’s largest DIY gourmet restaurant, with recipes developed by Guide Michelin-awarded chefs. The concept, which until now, consisted only of food, is being expanded to include an incredible drinking experience. Drinkable Country features a combination of ready-made beverages that reflect local nature and produce alongside drinks that visitors can mix themselves with ingredients found in the surroundings based on recipes provided by Sweden’s foremost beverage experts. When booking a Drinkable Country experience, guests will have the opportunity to explore the area with local guides while collecting and mixing the ingredients, and then enjoy the various drinks.

Credits: Niklas Nyman/Visit Sweden

“The DIY recipes enable visitors to explore Swedish nature through world-class taste experiences,” says Jens Heed, Program Director Food Travel at Visit Sweden.”The country’s 100 million-acre pantry of fruit, berries, vegetables, and crystal-clear spring water is open to everyone. We call it the Drinkable Country – the world’s largest open-air bar.”

The recipes have been developed in collaboration with four different beverage experts, each of whom has been given the responsibility to represent different regions in Sweden. Rebecka Lithander represents southern Sweden. Lithander has experience from the two-Michelin-star restaurant Daniel Berlin, where she raised the non-alcohol drink packages to the same high level as the food. The tables on the west coast are represented by Bar Bruno, a local gem of a cocktail bar; while on the east coast, it is the world-famous bar Tjoget that will compose the drink menu. Emil Åreng, a nationally and internationally acclaimed bartender and author of the world’s best cocktail book in 2016, represents the northern part of Sweden.

“It is a thirst-quenching journey through Swedish nature that is a completely new and fascinating way to experience cocktails and to discover the country and its natural environment,” says Leo Lahti, Bar Manager at Tjoget.

In Sweden, nature is everyone’s playground. It’s a place to linger – as long as you do not disturb or destroy it – thanks to the unique Allemansrätt – Swedens’s “freedom to roam.” With the Drinkable Country, Sweden invites everyone to experience their close-to-nature lifestyle over world-class food and drink.

More information about the experience: visitsweden.com/drinkable-country/

Video: https://youtu.be/1u-c9YnGbho

The Beverage Experts

Southern Sweden: Rebecka Lithander is an acclaimed sommelier who now works at the locally praised restaurant Mutantur in Malmö. Before joining Mutantur she worked at the two-star Guide Michelin restaurant Daniel Berlin.

Western Sweden: Bar Bruno, a small cosy bar that serves innovative cocktails with a home-bar feel.

Eastern Sweden: For the past five years, Tjoget has been on the list of the World’s 50 Best Bars.

Northern Sweden: Emil Åreng with roots in Norrland was named Sweden’s best bartender in 2015 and has also won several international awards. Emil most recently came from Cardier Baren at the historic Grand Hôtel in Stockholm, where he was Creative Director. He is the author of the cocktail book Salongs i Norrland, which was named Best Cocktail Book in the World in 2016.

The Edible Country
‘The Edible Country’ is an initiative from Visit Sweden to highlight the natural and healthy pantry that Swedish nature has to offer. The menu suggestions of the do-it-yourself dining experiences are co-created with four of Sweden’s top chefs: Titti Qvarnström, Niklas Ekstedt, Anton Bjuhr and Jacob Holmström. The dishes are created with inspiration from Sweden’s varied landscape and shifting seasons. The over 20 tables are placed in Swedish Lapland, Stockholm Archipelago, the High Coast, Dalarna, Gävleborg, Sörmland, Värmland, Västsverige, Småland, Halland, Skåne and Gotland and you can find more information about the regions on our webpage. The initiative is an open invitation for everyone to experience the Swedish ‘close-to-nature’ lifestyle and take pleasure in the natural pantry that Sweden has to offer. Add-on services that will help you during your experience, for example, your very own personal guide or chef and a basket with the necessary ingredients to create the drinks or cook the recipes outdoors are available to book online.

About Visit Sweden
Visit Sweden is Sweden’s marketing company. Visit Sweden markets Sweden abroad as a destination to contribute to more jobs and economic growth. The company also provides and sells communication and knowledge services related to the hospitality industry, tourism, and travel. Foreign tourists spend approximately SEK 144 billion annually in Sweden and approximately 172,400 people are employed in the hospitality industry’s companies alone. Visit Sweden is owned by the Swedish state through the Ministry of Enterprise and Innovation.

Duplin Winery Announces Major New Attraction

March 7, 2021 by evebushman

ROSE HILL, N.C. (PRWEB) – The largest winery in the South, Duplin Winery of Rose Hill, has broken ground on the family-owned winery’s third exciting location. Located on 70 acres at the previous Hombre Golf Club, Duplin Winery is building a 35,000-square-foot complex that will be the home of an award-winning, laid-back Southern-style wine tasting experience featuring specialty drinks, gourmet foods, merchandise, live entertainment and America’s Favorite Sweet Wine. It is expected to open in early 2022. Representing an initial $15 million investment, the attraction will employ more than 50 people. Over 20 acres of the property will be dedicated to conservation and preserving the land’s natural beauty.

An award-winning winery, Duplin is known for “cool, sweet & easy” sipping wines. Accompanied by frozen cocktails, signature homemade crackers and gourmet Muscadine cheese dip, Duplin’s relaxed and fun-filled guided wine tastings are extremely popular. The tasting station in Panama City Beach will offer guests the opportunity to sample assorted Duplin wines as guests are entertained with fun facts about muscadine grapes, Southern winemaking, rich Duplin family history and the “Life is Sweeter with Duplin” experience. Hand-bottling demonstrations will be accompanied by a presentation about the winery’s early days when Duplin first sold its wines in mason jars before moving to wine bottles. The signature mason jar remains a beloved item among Duplin wine fans, as select wines are offered in jars.

“We’re really excited about bringing our laid-back Carolina lifestyle to Panama City Beach,” said Jonathan Fussell, co-owner/president of Duplin Wine Family and head of the winery’s Tasting Destinations. “In the wine country of North Carolina, we’re serious about our wines but relaxed about life. We’ll be creating a place where folks can relax, listen to live music, and learn a little more about our wines. We expect to host groups, parties and families. Adults will enjoy it, and kids will, too. In addition to our wines, we’ll be serving our refreshing Sweetzer frozen drinks, which can be made in non-alcoholic versions. Families will find this a unique attraction that everyone can enjoy.”

“My family has been making wine in Rose Hill, North Carolina for more than 45 years,” Fussell continued. “Over these years, experience has helped us learn how to become more than just a winery. We’ve learned how to create a true entertainment destination, a place where people enjoy hanging out, can be comfortable bringing friends and family, and come to love the whole Duplin way of life,” Fussell said. “In 2015, we opened our second location in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and its success exceeded all our expectations. The laid-back beach atmosphere of Panama City Beach is a perfect fit for Duplin’s COOL SWEET and EASY lifestyle and once we’re open, our guests will be able to enjoy wine tastings, live music and wine production six days a week. Eventually a wedding chapel, vineyards and club cottages will be built to expand our initial vision.”

Duplin Winery is the largest wine production facility on the East Coast. Both co-owner Dave Fussell, Jr., who serves as president and CEO of Duplin Winery, and his brother, Jonathan Fussell, are deeply involved in the day-to-day operation of the winery, leading tastings, having a hand in the wine-making process and sharing their “Life is Sweeter with Duplin” vision.

“We believe in being hands-on at Duplin,” said Jonathan Fussell. “We’re proud to share our sense of family and commitment to excellence with the guests we have, and we’re looking forward to making a lot of new friends at our new Panama City Beach location.”

More information about Duplin Winery and its future Panama City Beach location can be found at http://www.duplinwinery.com.

About Duplin Winery
Family-owned Duplin Winery, headquartered in Rose Hill, N.C., is the largest winery in the South and listed as the 36th Largest Winery in America by Wine Business Monthly magazine. It produces some of the best-selling sweet wines in America. Specializing in wines made from the muscadine grape, Duplin is the largest muscadine winery in the world with a tank capacity of 2.1 million gallons. Duplin Winery grows its own grapes in North Carolina, and works with over 60 farming families to buy grapes in FL, GA, NC, SC and MS. Its plans include planting an additional 100 acres of grapes in the Panhandle region to support its newly announced Panama City Beach location.

Started by D.J. Fussell, Sr., in the 1970s, Duplin Winery is now owned and managed by a third generation of Fussells. Dave Fussell, Jr., serves as president and CEO of Duplin Winery, and Jonathan Fussell leads the Duplin Winery marketing division and serves as president of Duplin Wine Family.

Duplin wines have won several awards over the years, including honors normally given to wines from the classic West Coast wine belt such as Impact’s Hot Brand Award and Beverage Information Group’s Fast Track Award. Duplin wines have been featured in Martha Stewart Living, Elite magazine, and numerous regional news media.

Duplin wines are currently sold in sixteen different states in the South, Mid-Atlantic and Midwest and ship to 47 different states.

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

January 31, 2021 by evebushman

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

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

Forget fighting for a table or waiting for what feels like an eternity for that well-earned drink. At the Antlers, the après experience begins upon your return to the suite. And a chance to warm up and soothe sore muscles from a day of Colorado skiing is as close as the Antlers at Vail’s two creekside hot tubs accompanied by the year-round heated outdoor pool.

The new Rooms, Boards and Bottles – Stay and Après package at Antlers at Vail starts at $932 plus tax for three nights in a studio suite (and, as always, NO resort fees). The package is available in any of the Antlers condominiums from studio to four-bedroom, with additional nights available at a 15-20% discount. Note that Vail skiing is by reservation only for the 2020/21 season, with priority given to Epic Pass holders (day as well as season passes available; check here on Vail.com for info and reservations).

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

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

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

Vintage Eve Circa 12/2017: Hot Toddy Or Cool Cocktail, What is Your Favorite Winter Drink?

November 3, 2020 by evebushman

I met a consulting client of mine at 9am in the morning this past month, he had something milky looking in his large coffee mug and proceeded to goad me into trying it. Hot Eggnog and cognac. My how toasty it was, and how toasty it made me feel. He offered to have one made up for me, but lest I wanted my meeting to get detoured into the fun zone (we’re old pals too) I had to skip it.

From The Signal: Cocktails on the Roof 2018, how I miss these events!

Later that night I made up for it. Hubby had been scenting our home with apple cider cooking on the stove with mulling spices. I whipped out some Brandy, added a shot to each of our coffee mugs, and we thoroughly enjoyed our libations on the porch as the sun set.

All of this got me to thinking, what are your favorite holiday libations this time of year? So, as is my thing, I did a roundup on Facebook and asked my pals there. Here’s what you all are drinking this season, either at home or your fave bar:

Cari: We love mulled wine and Irish coffee (depending on the time of day) at our house!

Natasha: In the Caribbean we have Sorrel (hibiscus), hot or cold, only at this time of year, it’s a special holiday drink. I just brewed a gallon. (I asked if there wasn’t any alcohol in this and Natasha responded: Oh no hunny, we throw Caribbean rum in there.

Shirley: Hot Apple Pie – Traders Joes spiced cider warmed in the crock pot, add your favorite brand of dark rum. Ladle into your mug and top with whipped cream…yessirree!

Deb: Bonefish Grill ~ their Winter White Cosmopolitan – Look forward to it every year. Reyka Vodka, Cointreau, St. Germain Elderflower liqueur, white cranberry juice and fresh lime juice. Has floating cranberries in it too.

Celeste: My mother in law makes a hibiscus drink called Ponche. Like a hot punch/tea Typically with cut fruit and sugar can pieces inside…and a shot of tequila to really warm things up.

Cheryl: Disaronno on the rocks. (Actually never had that one. Might have to try as I do like almond. Looked it up: Disaronno Originale is an amaretto-tasting liqueur with a characteristic almond taste made in Italy.)

Lewis: A spiced ganache dark hot chocolate with whip cream on top and hot fudge drizzled. Also a spiced Caramel hot cider with whip cream on top. Can you imagine what you can fix up with Jack Daniels fire, like… Hot apple cider?

Tim: Whisky… although to be honest I like it in the winter, summer, fall, and spring.

Cynthia: White Russian and anything with eggnog!

Jackie: I make egg nog martinis, just Egg nog and vodka with a dash of cinnamon on top, so delicious and amazing to sip in front of the fire!

Rene: Rompopo. (Which is a Honduran eggnog. Here is the recipe: https://hispanickitchen.com/recipes/rompopo-hondureno-honduran-style-eggnog/)

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, 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.

Vintage Eve Circa 12/2017, “Synopsis of the Film: The Truth About Alcohol, Part Two”

August 11, 2020 by evebushman

Last week I began my synopsis of the BBC documentary, The Truth About Alcohol, on YouTube with Dr. Javid Abdelmoneim. This is not a review of the film, just the things I learned and thought would be interesting for others to think about. Last week I shared the new alcohol limits set by the UK Chief Medical Officer and some of the tests Abdelmoneim and others went through.

Dr Javid Abdelmoneim from Perse.co.uk

My Takeaways Part Two

In the film the thought is that all the red wine consumed by the French counter-balances the rich foods they consume. Polyphenols, which comes from skins and seeds, are supposed to be good for us. Can the blood vessels dilate more after drinking red wine, and thereby decrease cardiovascular effects? The conclusion was yes, red wine has some benefit for the heart.

Abdelmoneim went on to test five red wines and one white to see how much polyphenols they contain. The white came in the least amount of polyphenol compounds. Cabernet Sauvignon came in second behind an Italian wine. You can get polyphenols from foods – so you don’t need to drink more – walnuts, dark chocolate, apple, tea, almonds, blueberries, coffee, fruits, vegetables, nuts and whole grain cereals all have polyphenols in general.

As far as a protective effect for heart disease, this only showed as significant for women, but you are still not to drink any more than the recommendation.

Does a night cap help a person to drink? Abdelmoneim went to a sleep center to find out. His own sleep patterns were measured, and he brought his own whisky for a nightcap. Before sleeping he was told that alcohol works better for the young, beginning at 40 or 50 years of age it disrupts the sleep patterns. His sleep video showed lots of tossing and turning and the data told that as the night progresses he didn’t sleep as well. So it may help you fall asleep deeply, but then sleep lighter later on, a “rebound” effect.

Hangovers – who gets them the worst and what works? Little real research has been done so people have found their own remedies. Abdelmoneim met with another doctor to look at different ideas, a single pill before – with star flower oil and about as beneficial as an ibuprofen – and fried food after to restore lost sugars. Both ideas are tested in two different groups and “some serious drinking” at a brewery. They found that after drinking, and taxi rides home, the next day the group that had the pill felt better than those that had a big breakfast in the “fryer group.”

Popular drinks were also analyzed to see which would leave the worse hangover. Darker the drink, except whisky, seems to be the consensus of what to avoid if you are susceptible to hangovers.

Back to the beginning of this film, the Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sally Davies of England, and her counterparts, met with Abdelmoneim. Her biggest issue in making the new recommendation was the link of alcohol consumption to a broad range of cancers. Alcohol damages cells and hormone levels. Conclusion: the risk is greater if you drink over the recommendation. If you stop drinking all together, the risk is zeroed out.

#CovidCrazy + #DrinkingBuddies = A New Shirt for Proud Married Couples!

July 11, 2020 by evebushman

A week or so ago, while fiddling around on social media, one post caught my eye. It was simple enough, a black T-Shirt that read, “Husband and Wife, Drinking Buddies For Life.” With our present circumstances and spending more time at home than ever before due to Covid-19, the shirt called to me.

This is what happened next.

To order your shirts contact Aaron Johnson via email: Support@ShopDGG.com

A friend that has access to a designer and quality T shirts, offered to make them. There were well over a dozen ladies that asked for them so I said sure, make one up, add in my logo – where the shirt would tuck in so it’s subtle – and he did.

Now, for the results. I requested a tank for the ladies and a simple T for the men. I asked about the cost for shipping and learned that this locally owned and operated business offered free touch-less pickups in the Santa Clarita Valley.

(Note: I did reach out to the company that had done the original post only to learn that they didn’t make or sell the shirt. So we were clear for the runway and liftoff with our own!)

I wanted to let my friends that liked the shirt know that we had it now ready to go, and didn’t ask for a cut of the take at all so the small profit margin could stay with the company.

But I thought I’d write about it here. How the first Eve Wine 101 supported T happened. And of course, share the heck out of it on social media so people might share and/or buy it.

Bottom line: though this shirt spoke to me because we are drinking at home more than ever, with our spouses, I’ve been drinking with my spouse for a couple of decades and am proud to show it. Are you?

And yes I’m talking to you ladies, specifically: Margie, Marie, Veronica, Debbie Maynard, Jennifer, Sue, Amber, Judi, Heidi, Terri, Lillia, Harriett, Candice, D, Julie, Kim and the other 50+ ladies that liked this on Instagram and over 60 on Facebook.

When this Covid-19 decides to be done we are going to get together, with our husbands, and drink! And once you have your shirt please wear it, photograph yourself and tag me on social media. #CovidCrazy #DrinkingBuddies #EveWine101

The Details

Price 27.50 for ladies’ tank and 32.49 for the unisex T. Colors choices include black, coral, berry, mauve, royal and lilac. You can request fitted or loose fit. It’s a tri-blend of polyester, cotton and rayon so it shouldn’t shrink. Contact Aaron Johnson here: Support@ShopDGG.com Shirt will take 10 to 14 days to arrive in Santa Clarita, pick up or they can ship to you on the same day.

Vintage Eve Circa Oct 2017: Sipping Through The Cocktail Galaxy

June 16, 2020 by evebushman

Okay, so yes, I got to review yet another cocktail book – by choice! Why, you may ask, as I have about a dozen or more so far, would I want another? Because I love recipe books, and not just because, as you may think, easy read/easy review. It does make for a quick read over say, The Wine Bible, but there is also – usually – something fun to learn for cocktail lovers.

This was the case with The Cocktail Guide to the Galaxy by Andy Heidel. I’d never heard of Heidel, his Way Station bar in Brooklyn (that has a TARDIS – Google Dr. Who if you don’t know what this is – for a bathroom that is, indeed, larger inside than it appears from the outside, just like the <real> thing) or his verifiably geek media inspired cocktail book.

So I ventured into this freaky “galaxy” created by Heidel that was inspired by his love for both old and new science fiction. I found some drinks I wanted to try – The Evil Dead, Repo and Metropolis – and others that I don’t think anyone is really meant to try – Fantastic Pour, Bender’s Bender and the Blood of Enemies. On the latter it’s because the recipes were delivered…like a punch line. Here’s one I’ve abbreviated a bit – so buy the book if you want the whole thing:

Game of Thrones

George R. R. Martini

2 parts gin

¼ part dry vermouth

Let sit on shelf for a year. Add ice, stir and contemplate. Come back to it later….garnish with one olive stabbed through the heart with a lemon wedge.

Other equally entertaining bits are Heidel’s Hints, Ander’s Anecdotes, clever illustrations, his feeling about The Mix Tape, Idiot Proof Instructions, almost ten pages of recipes dedicated to all of The Doctors from Doctor Who, Alissa May Atkinson’s essay on The Quaffing Dead to remind us how to treat our hard working bartenders and finally Heidel’s Why that he explains in his entertaining forward. I dog-eared a few pages for further reflection – and to try crafting myself.

This book is one I will be displaying on my home bar. Something guests can ponder while they wait for their cocktail, and wonder if they are being poisoned or just the subject of a mild jest.

Abbreviated Info From the Publicist:

The Cocktail Guide to the Galaxy by Andy Heidel, the notable owner of The Way Station in Brooklyn, NY. A true mecca for nerd culture, The Way Station has found its way on to numerous lists of the best sci-fi bars and is even complete with a TARDIS themed bathroom.

Including over 100 fun and easy to make recipes – these cocktails are simple to make with no crazy ingredients – The Cocktail Guide to the Galaxy features more of the themed cocktails Heidel’s patrons know and love and is filled with pop culture references from Metropolis, to Guardians of the Galaxy, to Star Wars, and everything in between. Some of the recipes include:

Doc B’s Wakeup Juice (Back to the Future)
Sonic Screwdrivers (Doctor Who)
Shirley Temple of Doom (Indiana Jones)
Jameson T. Kirk (Star Trek)
Blue Milk (Star Wars)