Eve's Wine 101

Absinthia’s Bottled Spirits Releases Absinthia Verte

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OAKLAND, Calif., /PRNewswire/ — Absinthia’s Bottled Spirits (@Absinthia_Absinthe), a woman-owned artisan spirits company, has released Absinthia Verte, the follow-up to its inaugural and Gold Medal-winning Absinthia Blanche.

“As an unregulated category, there are a lot of ‘crapsinthes’ on the market that use artificial ingredients and dyes to achieve the end product. Absinthia absinthes are carefully crafted according to a vintage Swiss recipe using all-natural ingredients and no sugar,” said J. Absinthia Vermut, founder and creator of Absinthia’s Bottled Spirits.  “We start with a neutral spirit made from biodynamic grapes from California, and distilled that with organic herbs – fresh wormwood (artemesia absinthium), star anise, fennel seed, and coriander seed – from an organic farm in Oregon. The result is an aromatic, brilliantly clear and modern take on absinthe, launched in 2018 as Absinthia Blanche.”

To create the beautiful peridot green of the Verte, Absinthia distills the Blanche with organic artemisia pontica, anise hyssop, and lemon balm. The Verte has a natural sweetness and earthier flavor than the Blanche. It is delicious neat, on the rocks, with a splash of cold water, or in a cocktail.

“I started with the release of the Blanche because out of the still, it was delicious,” said Vermut. “Also, we knew if we released a blanche and a verte at the same time, most absinthe drinkers would gravitate to the better known verte. The blanche is so delicious that we wanted to make sure our customers tried it first – and they did.”

Absinthia Blanche has received several awards, including a Gold Medal from the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2018.

Absinthia Facts:

  • Farm to glass authentic absinthe from a vintage Swiss recipe
  • Twice distilled in California in a copper pot from biodynamic grapes and fresh herbs
  • 110 proof (55% ABV)
  • Blanche SRP $44.99 (375ml)
  • Verte SRP $44.99 (375ml)

About Absinthia’s Bottled Spirits:
Absinthia’s Bottled Spirits is a WBENC-certified woman-owned artisan craft beverage business based in Oakland, California. The passion of founder J. Absinthia Vermut, the company began hand crafting absinthe according to an authentic Swiss recipe in 2017. Distilled in a copper pot from biodynamic grapes, grown in California, and fresh organic herbs – wormwood, anise, fennel, and coriander – from Oregon, Absinthia Blanche was awarded a Gold Medal in 2018 at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Absinthe Verte was launched in 2021. Absinthia’s absinthes are distributed in key markets and available online. For more information, visit www.absinthia.com.

Follow Absinthia’s Bottled Spirits on Social Media: @Absinthia_Absinthe #Absinthia #GreenFairy

Vintage Eve Circa 8/2018: And the Best of Show Goes To…?

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By now you’ve (hopefully) read my two articles on judging the first annual Global Wine Awards; you may have even seen a third installment on the winners. But what you haven’t seen, or had your virtual taste of, is the wine the judges awarded a Gold, then a Double Gold, and then finally the Best of Show to: Martellotto 2016 Il Cappocia Riserva (Barrel Aged) from Happy Canyon, Santa Barbara.

So, I’m here to rectify that. I ordered a bottle for myself, just for a little R and D, and to give me a full opportunity to savor over. For good measure I thought it wise to try another red from the same winery and same AVA, the 2016 La Bomba Cabernet. So, without further adieu, here are the results:

 

2016 Martellotto Il Cappocia Riserva

(Barrel Aged)

Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec

Happy Canyon, Santa Barbara

Best in Show and 97 points at the Global Wine Awards

https://martellotto.com/products/2016-martellotto-riserva-il-capoccia-happy-canyon-of-santa-barbara

Color: Dark purple with some raisin-coloring on the edge.

Aroma: Crushed black cherry, blueberry, char, dark chocolate, cream, cigar, dried leaves and the tiniest whiff of menthol.

Flavor: Blue to black fruit, cracked black pepper, dark chocolate again, velvety at the start and then a great bite of spice and tannin, yet balanced and just as good as I remembered. Excellent blend of Bordeaux grapes.

Pairing: Cheese and charcuterie board was our dining choice for the evening but this would pair well with anything from a juicy steak, Bolognese pasta to chocolate crème Brûlée.

Conclusion: As I noted when I had my taste: just as good as I remembered and well deserving of the Best of Show award we gave it. I was really looking forward to trying the Cab next…

 

2016 Martellotto La Bomba Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc.

Happy Canyon, Santa Barbara

Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition; Double Gold and Best of Show at the Central Coast Wine Competition.

https://martellotto.com/products/martellottocabernet

Color: Beautiful opaque blackberry.

Aroma: So, knowing that La Bomba translated is The Bomb I was looking forward to what I would find on the nose: a LOT of fresh and ripe blueberry, plum, green peppercorn, rich, spicy, coffee bean and no nose burn. The nose definitely called you in for the taste.

Flavor: bold red fruit followed by dark fruit in luscious layers and incredible balance, nice spicy qualities that lingered in the palate, both green and black pepper with the same velvety quality on the palate as the Il Cappocia Riserva.

Pairing: I had this with a bacon-wrapped filet mignon smothered in sweet onion and sautéed mushroom. Yea, that was pretty great. But I also imagined this with a robust charcuterie board filled with Mortadella with pistachio, chorizo and both hard and soft cheese.

Conclusion: I found both an unexpected flavor and balance – akin to a young Napa Cab – for a SBC Cabernet. Very well done. Makes me want to seek out Happy Canyon and the winery to learn more.

From the Winery

Martellotto Wines is the only winery in Santa Barbara County to be winning this many awards for Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux varietals, specifically from Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara.

The Rise of Santa Barbara Wines

As you know, this area is already well regarded for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay production (which I also make). However, were you aware that our region is also producing some outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux varietals? The TTB established the Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA in 2009 given its distinctive climate in the far eastern part of the Santa Ynez Valley. This warmer climate is proving to be fertile ground for high quality Bordeaux varietals, especially since the diurnal temperature changes are so dramatic.

Today, a handful of producers are leading the way. I’m pleased to report Martellotto Winery is one of those wineries. In fact, Martellotto is one of the few wineries in California bottling varietally labeled wines of each of the five noble Bordeaux varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. 

Martellotto Winery

100 Los Padres Way #7

Buellton, CA 93427

(619) 567-9244

*Tastings Available by Appointment Only 

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.

Guillotine Vodka Originale Edition Is Rewarded with A Gold Medal at Spirits Selection by Concours Mondial De Bruxelles

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LOS ANGELES (PRWEB) – Guillotine Vodka Originale is one of the few spirits who managed to be rewarded with a gold medal at the prestigious Spirits Selection by Concours Mondial de Bruxelles. This is the 3rd gold medal won by Guillotine Vodka Originale at Spirits Selection by Concours Mondial De Bruxelles, following wins in 2017 and 2018. The 21st Spirits Selection competition recently ended in Brussels, Belgium. This year, the judges complied with very strict safety rules to ensure the event could happen. Sixty professional judges tasted and rated up to 35 alcoholic beverages a day. A total of 1,400 spirits from 54 countries competed to win a medal.

Spirits Selection by Concours Mondial de Bruxelles is THE international event rewarding only the most extraordinary spirits, such as Guillotine Vodka Originale, from all over the globe. Each year, whiskies, cognacs, brandies, rums, vodkas, gins, piscos, grappas, baijius, and tequilas, amongst other spirits, are assessed and classified by a panel of internationally renowned experts. World-renowned judges are rigorously chosen to blind taste the finest spirits.

Guillotine Vodka Originale is a classic, clear vodka made from the finest Champagne-region grapes. Light, smooth, and aromatic, this amazing vodka offers notes of citrus with hints of almond and toffee. The nose is sharp, punctuated by soft notes of fresh lemon. The spirit delicately coats the mid-palate, exposing a complex structure that flows into a clean and well-balanced finish. Customers should carefully taste and enjoy this fine spirit to find that the smooth and velvety palate delivers a light fruity hint of Zante currants.

Guillotine Vodka Originale‘s creation starts with a mix of the finest ingredients and traditional crafting methods. The vodkas’ distinctive je ne sais quoi starts with selected ingredients and experienced artisans, who utilize traditional grape picking and processing techniques that lend themselves to creating complex and powerful flavors. The unique taste and finish of Guillotine Vodka Originale is the result of mingling white and black grapes. Only the finest Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay marcs are chosen from vineyards in the Aÿ-Champagne wine region to create this extraordinary spirit. The grape marcs are fermented and slowly distilled in a 100-year-old distillery. This process follows the standards of traditional French expertise that preserve the subtleties of the fruit. Finally, the vodka is then transported to a warehouse in Ile-de-France where the vodka is bottled in locally sourced, custom-made glassware.

Guillotine Vodka Originale offers unparalleled quality, taste, and versatility. A favorite among fine spirits connoisseurs, this ultra-premium vodka has been rewarded multiple gold medals at various international spirits competitions. In 2019, Guillotine Vodka Originale was awarded the gold medal at the 2019 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit competition. It’s a testament to the brand’s commitment to quality that it has now received the honor of another gold medal from the Spirits Selection by Concours Mondial De Bruxelles.

About Guillotine Vodka

Guillotine is a revolutionary French vodka created exclusively from the Aÿ-Champagne region’s finest pinot and chardonnay grapes. Founded by Paul Berkmann in 2016, the brand’s mission is to introduce the world to the finest artisanal spirits, starting with ultra-premium vodkas that are unparalleled in quality, taste, and joie de vivre. Guillotine is 100% natural, vegan-friendly and gluten-free, containing no coloring or flavoring additives, no glycerol, and no citric acid. Visit http://www.guillotinevodka.com to learn more.

Neft Vodka: a Vodka to Sip!

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I’ve tasted a lot of vodka over the years. Flavorless and colorless are two descriptors assigned to it most often in spirit education courses. But, when you taste vodka over a period of time you can detect certain nuances, things that make them differ, and in the case with Neft, stand above the pack.

For most tasters, beginners to experts, it’s the alcohol burn that sets them apart. Inexpensive vodka can be quite harsh – lots of burn – while other more sought after brands – have little to no burn, but also have some interesting qualities. Neft is one of those.

When my sample arrived I was immediately surprised at the tin container it came in. Did some reading and learned that the tin cylinder leaves less of a carbon imprint, it’s not breakable and will stay cold longer. The sample also came with instructions for tasting. As I’ve said I’ve tasted plenty, but in the essence of a true vodka lover I followed their suggestions: how long to chill it, the type of glass to use, to try alone and not in a cocktail, how to nose the vodka, etc. This is the result:

As instructed we didn’t freeze, only chilled in freezer for an hour before sampling. Tasted neat and in a small glass:

Observation in glass: clear and clean, like a finely filtered water. No minerals or impurities.

Aroma from two inches away and swirling: reminded me of a a very fine sake, like a daiginjo where the sake rice has been milled down to 50%. With a gentle sweetness, as well as a creaminess, and some slightly buttery and even nutty notes.

Flavor: Smooth, burn on the mid palate only and not immediate. Still reminding me of a fine cold sake but of course, this is definitely a smooth and creamy vodka. The mouthfeel makes me want to sip alone, not masked by ingredients in a cocktail or even with ice. If I hold on the palate, the way whisky master blender Richard Patterson instructs for tasting single malt scotch, the mouthfeel only becomes rounder and more balanced.

Conclusion: This is not your mother’s vodka. This is a whole new generation, and a new level, of sippingvodka. 99 Eve points.

From Neft:

NEFT IS MADE FROM THE PUREST INGREDIENTS

NEFT is made from only four non-GMO European ryes and the purest water from the Austrian Alps. No additives. No sweeteners.

Our four grains of ancient rye species (Amato, Askari, Rasant and Pollino) are used in our proprietary blend. When brought together, the result is an award-winning taste with unprecedented smoothness.

It takes fifty years for the water we use to make its way from its source to our secured aquifer. During this time, gravity slowly draws the most important ingredient of our vodka through slate and granite. As it slowly seeps through crystalline rock, it’s purified for decades creating the purest water in the world.

NEFT USES SMALL-BATCH DISTILLING

  • NEFT is distilled in Lustenau, Austria near the Rhine River and Switzerland Border.
  • Our distillery has been perfecting small-batch, curated spirits for over 130 years.
  • NEFT is distilled three times in a copper-pot still.
  • We use a proprietary activated, carbon-layer filtration process.

NEFT IS AWARD WINNING
Double Gold, San Francisco World Spirits Competition, 2019 & 2018

Best Vodka, San Francisco World Spirits Competition, 2018

 98-point rating, The Tasting Panel

92-point rating & Gold Medal, Beverage Testing Institute

Gold Medal, The Fifty Best

Gold Medal, Best Tasting Spirits

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

The Long Drink Now Available Across California, Florida and Arizona

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NEW YORK (PRWEB) – The Long Drink, a top selling category of alcohol in Finland, a legend that is now available in America, has expanded distribution to California, Florida and Arizona. The expansion announcement comes shortly after universally recognized music producer Kygo and renowned PGA tour professional golfer Rickie Fowler joined the company as co-owners earlier this year. With the expansion to new states, via Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, more consumers are able to enjoy the unique and refreshing Long Drink taste.

The availability of Long Drink across California, Florida and Arizona marks a significant development period for the brand from a marketing and sales perspective as Miles, Kygo and Rickie have deep ties to each state and will be maximizing their networks on behalf of their brand to ensure its success. Additionally, the Palm Tree Crew, a diversified holding company that operates and invests in companies at the intersection of consumer, entertainment and technology, of which Kygo is a co-founder, alongside Myles Shear and Austin Criden, is working closely with Long Drink’s marketing and business development teams to integrate the brand into the fabric of the tropical lifestyle in California, Arizona, and Florida.

“Long Drink is an incredibly unique drink with a rich history, and I couldn’t be more excited to get it in the hands of consumers across the country. The combination of taste and buzz is undeniable and soon everyone will have the opportunity to enjoy the Finnish Fuel. Kippis!” says Miles Teller, actor and co-owner of The Long Drink.

The category of ‘long drinks’ was brought to America for the first time in early 2018 by the next generation of Finns, co-founders Ere Partanen, Sakari Manninen and Mikael Taipale, alongside American entrepreneur, Evan Burns, who wanted the world to experience the refreshing and unique Finnish Long Drink. Teller joined the company as a co-owner in the summer of 2019, with Fowler and Kygo joining earlier in 2020.

“Since officially becoming a part of the Long Drink team in early 2020, the Palm Tree Crew has continued to be impressed by the operational excellence of the Long Drink team and our partners at Southern Glazer’s. With the launch of two of the largest liquor markets happening now, we are confident that our superior tasting product is primed to take over the ready to drink cocktail space. We hope to be able to share a cold Long Drink with our friends and fans as soon as it is deemed safe,” say Palm Tree Crew.

Most recently, The Long Drink was awarded medals at the prestigious 2020 New York International Spirits Competition, 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and the 2020 American Distilling Institute, among others.

“We get messages daily from our fans asking when they’d be able to buy Long Drink in California, Florida or Arizona,” says Evan Burns, co-founder and CEO of The Long Drink. “In partnership with Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, residents of CA, FL and AZ are now able to go out and start buying Long Drink at their favorite liquor store chain or independent store.”

The roots of long drinks go back to the 1952 Summer Games in Helsinki, when the country of only 4 million people was still recovering from World War II. Concerned how to serve drinks quickly enough to all the visitors, the government commissioned the creation of a revolutionary new liquor drink that was both delicious and fast to serve – and so the first long drinks were born.

The Long Drink combines the origins of the past with the modern-day processing and technology of the future. The result is an award-winning, refreshing, citrus soda with a premium liquor kick. Canned at 5.5% Alc./Vol. Last year, The Long Drink introduced Long Drink Zero, a low-calorie option, and earlier this year debuted additional variants including Long Drink Strong, a higher ABV option, and Long Drink Cranberry.

About The Long Drink

“Long drink” is a top selling category of alcohol in Finland – a legend that is now available in America. The roots of long drinks go back to the 1952 Summer Games in Helsinki, when the country of only 4 million people was still recovering from World War II. Concerned how to serve drinks quickly enough to all the visitors, the government commissioned the creation of a revolutionary new liquor drink that was both delicious and fast to serve – and so the first long drinks were born. Now this legend has finally been brought to America by the next generation of Finns who want the world to experience the refreshing and unique Finnish Long Drink. The Long Drink garnered a Gold Medal (94 Rating) at the prestigious 2019 New York International Spirits Competition (NYISC). The Long Drink is currently available in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Georgia, Nevada, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Texas, California, Florida and Arizona.

Perlis Picks Mazzocco Sonoma’s Zinfandels!

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I think I need to finally admit something…

About Zinfandel.

Back when I first started developing my appreciation of Zin, there were the three Rs of Zinfandel – Rosenblum, Ridge and Ravenswood.

More recently, although still about 20 years ago, my own tastes elevated Turley and Carlisle to the top spots. Bedrock, the relative newcomer [first vintage was 2007] was added to round out this trinity a decade or so ago.

ANTOINE FAVERO

This is not to say that there aren’t other great Zinfandel producers out there. But the abovementioned three always seem to rise just enough above the others to stay in that top spot of Zins that one cannot do without.

But at a recent visit by Karen and me to Mazzocco Sonoma in the Dry Creek Valley, it dawned on me. We’ve visited this winery several times and have never failed to be totally blown away by the quality, especially the famous Zinfandels. This properly socially distanced visit with winemaker Antoine Favero was no exception.

Mazzocco is doing all the right things with their tastings, of course: reservation only, outdoors, tables far apart, masks worn except when seated at tasting table [all subject to change as protocols change, of course].

We had pulled Antoine away from harvest duties, so as we awaited his arrival we started out with a taste of the Kenneth Carl Brut [named after winery co-owner Ken Wilson] followed by the 2018 Chardonnay Reserve Stuhlmuller, Alexander Valley which had just won Gold at the 2020 Sonoma County Harvest Fair. [You’ll note a lot of Gold and above winners at Mazzocco, more than just about any other winery that I’ve encountered and from fairly local and extremely legitimate events where the judges know of what they speak – and taste!]

Antoine’s arrival prompted air hugs, followed by tasting through some of the wines he suggested we try, along with conversation about the crazy year that we had all experienced.

Now Antoine makes a lot of wines at Mazzocco, mostly Zinfandels, far too many to taste all of them, so we put ourselves in Antoine’s hands and off we went.

But, put on the brakes just for a second. Before trying the Zins, we wanted to try the 2018 Grenache Chemise, Dry Creek Valley. Made in a totally different style from the Zinfandels, this really emphasized the softer Grenache fruit. Of course, multiple Golds for this beauty.

But Antoine knew we were there for Zinfandel, so he led us through a tasting of some amazing ones:

2018 Sullivan Reserve – Dry Creek Valley [Captivating aromas of violets and wild cherry with hints of sweet star anise lead to rich layered flavors of black cherry preserves, dark chocolate, cinnamon stick, and spice in the mouth. The crisp, dark concentrated berry finish is framed with luscious tannins laced with baking spices, a dash of Habanero pepper, and a smidgen of cacao.]

2018 Serracino Reserve – Dry Creek Valley [Wonderful aromatics of baking spices, blackberry, and wisteria lead to a harmonious flavor medley of chocolate truffle, nougat, and vanilla bean with hints of gooseberry in the mouth. The tannins are velvety, ending with a smidgen of French oak, a hint of dusty rose, and a dusting of cacao.]

2018 Warm Springs Ranch – Dry Creek Valley [Captivating aromatics of violets, wild cherry, and potpourri meld seamlessly in the nose followed by a fleshy palate of boysenberry and hazelnut framed by luxurious and inviting tannins. This is a well-balanced Zinfandel with round plush tannins and a long caressing finish, hinting of exotic spices, Madagascar vanilla with a smidgen of coffee bean.]

2018 Pony Reserve – Dry Creek Valley [Alluring fragrances of red rose, marionberry, and cherry cola lead into a complex medley of blackberry, raspberry preserves, and Ceylon vanilla. This Zinfandel’s velvety tannins frame a fusion of ripe fruit laced with maple syrup, French oak, and a smidgen of dark chocolate truffle in the finish.]

 2018 Maple Reserve – Dry Creek Valley [Inviting aromas of blueberry and rose petals fuse with cacao-scented oak and hints of toffee, showcasing the intense flavors to follow. An opulent entry opens the way to wild cherry marmalade, blackberry, and spice with a smidgen of vanilla bean and traces of hazelnut with cardamom and spice residing in the background. As the layers contribute to the complexity, so do the round supple tannins and integrated oak.]

 There are a lot more, but we had to draw the line at some point.

I’ve never been good with tasting notes and I am not going to try to BS my way through with some here. The notes above were provided by Antoine. Suffice it to say these were some of the hardest wines that I’ve ever had to pour out from my glass in order to move on to the next one, and in some cases the only pouring was into my open mouth. Just outstanding.

A tasting with Antoine wouldn’t be complete without a taste of one of the Three Amigos wines, ultra-premium versions of the best the winery has to offer, each one named after a key person with the winery, Kenneth Carl, Juan Rodriguez and Antoine Phillippe. We tasted the 2017 Antoine and it was truly amazing, not surprisingly.

As we tasted we talked about the changes they had to make during the pandemic, both within their now eleven-winery organization as well as with tasting experiences. Of course, problems were exacerbated due to the fires, with many vineyards experiencing fire and/or smoke damage.

Smoke taint can be the kiss of death to a wine. Its impact can be a matter of degree, but no winery wants to put out a product that shows even a hint of it. The amount of samples from the entire area being submitted to labs for testing create a huge backlog. Antoine needed to run some preliminary micro-fermentations on his own to get a handle on things before getting the actual lab results to confirm his findings. He let us taste one result from a vineyard that he declared a total loss for 2020.

This was actually quite interesting. The sample did not taste bad. Antoine compared it to mezcal; we also noted distinct BBQ notes. It just didn’t taste like wine and it was definitely an indicator of a vintage lost for that particular vineyard. And Antoine saved this for the end for a good reason, as after tasting this our palates definitely needed a rest.

Now Antoine had to get back to finishing harvest and we needed to make our purchases and be on our way. As we walked back to our car [wearing masks, of course], I thought – “the Zinfandel trinity has officially become a quaternity”. Long past due, for sure.

Michael Perlis has been pursuing his passion for wine for more than 30 years. He has had the good fortune of having numerous mentors to show him the way, as well as a wonderful wife who encourages him and shares his interest. After a couple of decades of learning about wine, attending events, visiting wineries and vineyards, and tasting as much wine as he possibly could, he had the amazing luck to meet Eve Bushman. Now, as Contributing Editor for Eve’s Wine 101, he does his best to bring as much information as possible about wine to Eve’s Wine 101 faithful readers. Michael is also President of MCP Financial, which provides outsourced controller services. Michael can be contacted at michaelthezinfan@aol.com or mcpfinancial@aol.com.

Piper Sonoma Scoops The Sparkling Pool At San Francisco International Wine Competition

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NAPA, CALIF. (PRWEB) – Historic Sonoma County sparkling wine producer, Piper Sonoma, has scooped the pool: winning a Double Gold medal, and being named both Best Sparkling Rosé and Best in Show Sparkling Wine at this year’s 2020 San Francisco International Wine Competition (SFIWC).

Piper-Sonoma photo from Wine Industry Advisor.

Now in its 40th year, the San Francisco International Wine Competition is one of the world’s longest-running international wine competitions and SFIWC medals have become reliable indicators of wine excellence across the globe.

Speaking to the success, well-respected and long-time winemaker Keith Hock, was thrilled with the result: “Our Rosé has always been one of my favorite wines to craft. It’s terrific to see the wine be judged so well, in a blind tasting by such a respected line-up of judges.”

Piper Sonoma is one of the first, and the few California sparkling wines with ownership ties to France. It was founded in 1980 in Sonoma County by Marquis d’Aulan, whose family has been linked for generations with Champagne.

Sourcing from vineyards across Sonoma County, the Brut Rosé is a blend of Chardonnay (53%) with Pinot Noir and Pinot Blanc. With aromas of freshly picked berries and tangerine, the palate displays red fruits and citrus, showcasing the bright fruit flavors of Sonoma County.

In total, all four of the current release wines in the Piper Sonoma range received Gold and Silver medals. The Piper Sonoma Sparkling Rosé NV was rated 94 points, and awarded a Double Gold, the Reserve Brut received a GOLD medal, while SILVER Medals were awarded to Blanc de Blanc and Brut.

Competition results appeared on their website on November 23, and a list of all Gold, Double Gold, and Premium Award winners will appear in the March 2021 issue of The Tasting Panel Magazine.

The wines are available nationally at the suggested retail prices: Piper Sonoma Brut NV ($22), Piper Sonoma Brut Rosé ($22), Piper Sonoma Blanc de Blancs ($22), and the limited release Piper Sonoma Brut Reserve ($25). Piper Sonoma wines are represented by Folio Fine Wine Partners.

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About Folio Fine Wine Partners:
Founded by the Michael Mondavi Family in 2004, Folio Fine Wine Partners is an importer, fine wine agency and producer of quality wines from the world’s premier and emerging wine regions, providing sales, marketing and public relations services to wine brands from California, Italy, France, Argentina, Portugal, Spain, Washington State, Austria and South Africa. For more information about Folio Fine Wine Partners, visit http://www.foliowine.com or social media channels on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Kozuba and Sons Distillery Emerges as Industry Leader with Award-Winning Craft Spirits

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ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. (PRWEB) – The Kozuba family began their humble distillation journey in Poland when Zbigniew “Papa” Kozuba, now Founder and Master Distiller, was tinkering with traditional Polish cordials. In 2014, Papa and his sons Matthias and Jacob Kozuba moved the operation to the states to build upon tradition, innovate, and grow their spirits business in the American market. Since their move, the Kozuba family has become one of Florida’s most well-respected and premier, family-owned craft distilleries. True to their reputation, Kozuba & Sons Distillery was named 2020 Florida Distillery of the Year by the New York International Spirits Competition.

The New York International Spirits Competition 2020 Florida Distillery of the Year award recognizes the leadership of Kozuba & Sons Distillery, their expert craftsmanship and high-quality spirits created at their St. Petersburg-based facility. “We are very honored to have received this award,” Matthias Kozuba, Founder, CMO and Distiller says. “We have seen a lot of growth in the past six years, and we are proud of the premium spirits we craft, as we honor our family tradition.”

Kozuba & Sons Distillery utilizes recycled water, distributes spent grain to local farmers to eliminate waste, and operates their steam-heated stills by way of a gas-powered boiler to limit energy consumption. These measures reduce their overall emissions and set a positive example for the spirits industry. In addition, their B Square Vodka, Coast Vodka, and Camo Box Vodka all feature “bag-in-box” Better Planet Packaging. This packaging creates less pollution and has higher levels of recyclability. Along with their sustainable packaging, Kozuba & Sons Distillery aims to educate and encourage consumers to learn about sustainable packaging, recycled materials, and reducing package waste in the spirits industry.

“As a small, family-operated craft distillery, we are thoughtful with our approach to distilling our spirits, as well as the environmental impact of our operation,” says Papa. “From our packaging to our water use and energy conservation practices, we take a holistic approach to sustainability.”

Kozuba & Sons Distillery has received numerous accolades this year that honor their craft distillery and premium spirits. The arts and culture newspaper, Creative Loafing Tampa Bay, bestowed upon them the “Best Distillery” award in their Best of the Bay Awards issue. And the New York International Spirits Competition yielded impressive results for their Kozuba High Wheat Rye Whiskey 6 Years Old, with a Gold Medal. They also received Bronze Medals for their Starkus Light Whiskey, Cranberry & Juniper Vodka, and corn-based Vodka. Now, as the 2020 Florida Distillery of the Year, Kozuba & Sons Distillery offers a variety of award-winning spirits, including vodka, whiskey, bourbon, and traditional Polish cordials.

About Kozuba & Sons Distillery
Founded in 2005 in Poland, Kozuba & Sons is a family-run distillery that produces premium spirits. Now at home in St. Petersburg with over 15 years of experience, the Kozubas are focused on sharing their passion with the American market, beginning with Florida. Kozuba & Sons’ handcrafted, small-batch spirits are made from the finest ingredients using meticulous processes. Each bottle possesses the trademark Kozuba essence: a striking combination of quality, craftsmanship, and taste. To learn more about the Kozuba & Sons Distillery, please visit http://www.kozubadistillery.com or find them on Facebook and Instagram: @KozubaDistillery

Oregon’s Domaine Serene Becomes the World’s Most Awarded Winery at Decanter’s 2020 World Wine Awards

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DAYTON, Ore., /PRNewswire/ — Domaine Serene is far and away the most awarded winery in the world at the prestigious Decanter 2020 World Wine Awards. This year, the Dundee Hills winery took home 23 medals including ‘Best in Show’ for their 2016 Domaine Serene Mark Bradford Vineyard Pinot Noir, earning 97 points. The winery also brought home four Gold medals, 17 Silver medals, and one Bronze medal, with five wines earning a remarkable 95 points or more. Domaine Serene was not alone in its success with additional rave reviews coming for Château de la Crée and Maison Evenstad, also owned by proprietors Grace and Ken Evenstad. Their two Burgundian wineries were bestowed with an additional nine medals including seven Silvers. Standing at the top, their 2017 Maison Evenstad, Premier Cru  Beaurepaire Santenay, earned 95 points, besting several Grand Cru Burgundies in the tasting.

 

Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) is widely considered to be the world’s most important international wine competition, making this recognition yet another big win for Oregon’s burgeoning luxury wine industry. With an elite international panel of judges, the DWWA began the painstaking task of evaluating over 16,500 wines from 56 countries in August. Over the course of 28 consecutive days, 118 expert wine judges, including 37 Masters of Wine and nine Master Sommeliers, bestowed the honor of most awarded winery to Domaine Serene.

“Ken and I are thrilled that Domaine Serene has received such incredible recognition across the board. To be the most awarded winery in the world at the DWWA is a testament to the quality of our vineyards and to the talent, hard work and dedication of our team,” said Grace Evenstad, Co-Founder and Owner of Domaine Serene. “To receive ‘Best in Show’ for our Mark Bradford Vineyard Pinot Noir is especially gratifying. We named the vineyard after our son, Mark Bradford Evenstad, and it was the first vineyard that we ever planted at Domaine Serene almost thirty years ago. Planting its high elevation slopes and west facing aspect went against advice from the local vintners, yet we knew it had the potential to make world-class wine and so we planted it anyway. It has always been one of my favorite wines and I have long appreciated the power, structure, and longevity of our Mark Bradford Pinot Noirs. We are thrilled that it has received such critical acclaim at such an important competition.”

“In its 17th year, the DWWA is the world’s largest and most influential wine competition. Judged by the top wine experts from around the globe, the DWWA is trusted internationally for its rigorous blind judging process and regional experts,” said Bree Stock, Master of Wine and Education Manager of the Oregon Wine Board. “It’s an enormous feat for a region like Oregon, that represents a fraction of US global exports, to receive ‘Best in Show’ along with the breadth of medals in such a prestigious competition. This award raises the profile and awareness of our region’s wines not only to Decanters’ highly informed consumer audience, but also to the global wine experts on the judging panel. Congratulations Domaine Serene.”

Domaine Serene took home a total of 23 medals from the elite London-based contest.  In addition to being awarded ‘Best in Show’, the winery earned four Gold Medals for the 2016 ‘Aspect’ Pinot Noir, 2017 Clos de Lune Vineyard Chardonnay, and 2016 Etoile Vineyard Chardonnay, each earning 96 points, with its 2016 Two Barns Vineyard Pinot Noir, earning 95 points. The Dundee Hills winery also brought home 17 Silver medals and one Bronze medal, more details can be found here. Domaine Serene wines have now earned 95 points and above by major critics an astounding 115 times! This is in addition to being awarded #1 Ranked Pinot Noir in the World by Wine Spectator in 2013 and in 2016 #1 Pinot Noir in the World by Decanter and #1 White Wine in the World by Wine Spectator, for its ‘Evenstad Reserve’ Chardonnay. This universal acclaim from an array of critics solidifies Domaine Serene as America’s Most Acclaimed Winery.

“We are humbled by this great honor and thank our members, distributors and customers supporting our pursuit of quality over the years. To celebrate these awards, we are making some of the medalists available for tasting at our winery Clubhouse in the Dundee Hills and at the Domaine Serene Wine Lounge in Lake Oswego. We are also opening up our wine library to new and existing wine club members so that they can share in the enjoyment of these cherished wines in their homes.” said Ryan Harris, Domaine Serene President.

For more information, to visit our locations or to join the wine club or mailing list, please visit www.DomaineSerene.com or call 503-864-4600 and follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.

About Domaine Serene
The Evenstads settled in the Northern Willamette Valley in 1989. Their spirit and passion to produce wines that rival the great wines of Burgundy led them to purchase and plant a hilltop estate that had just been logged in the now famous Dundee Hills.

Today, Domaine Serene produces wines from six individual vineyard estates, planted exclusively to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. In Oregon, the Evenstads own nearly 1,000 total acres of land in the hills of Yamhill County, with 275 acres planted to vine.

Working every job in the winery for many years, Grace and Ken Evenstad built Domaine Serene from the ground up with a focus on producing high quality wines through innovation and a focus on excellence. The Evenstads have gained a true appreciation for the attention to detail required to make exceptional wines.

In 2015, Ken and Grace Evenstad fulfilled a lifelong dream of producing wine in Burgundy, France by acquiring Château de la Crée, the respected wine estate located in the birthplace of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay: the renowned Côte d’Or. They own 25 acres of prime vineyards in Pommard, Volnay, Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, Chassagne-Montrachet, Santenay and Maranges. This made them the first Oregon-based vintners to own land and produce wines in Burgundy.

In just under three decades, the Evenstads have propelled Domaine Serene onto the global stage as one of the world’s most acclaimed and respected wineries. Domaine Serene’s wines represent the achievement that is possible in Oregon, one of the finest regions in the world for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

PURITY IS THE HIGHEST RATED ORGANIC DISTILLERY IN THE WORLD BASED ON TASTE

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Hundreds of judges and industry experts across the globe blind-tasted Purity Vodka, Purity Spritz, and Purity Gin. The results coming out of multiple prestigious competitions were remarkably consistent, GOLD.

Master Blender Mathias Tonnesson and Master Distiller Stefan Magnusson

ULTIMATE SPIRIT CHALLENGE RESULTS

INTERNATIONAL SPIRITS CHALLENGE RESULTS

INTERNATIONAL WINE AND SPIRITS CHALLENGE

“It is humbling and gratifying to watch so many experts choose Purity completely based on taste,” said Master Blender Mathias Tönnesson. “It takes extra time, care, and attention to source superior ingredients then carefully distill them, it’s reassuring when others recognize the Purity taste shining through.” 

Mathias continues,” We distill our spirit very, very slowly, many times, in a specially designed copper still. It can be compared to when you slowly cook your food at a low temperature. It brings the most taste, character, and depth to the spirit and it’s a process that other brands don’t bother with. For Purity, every step matter because the taste matters. Our goal is to make the best tasting spirit in the world and make products we are proud to sell and to serve to our family and friends.

Our main ingredients, Swedish wheat, and malted barley are carefully selected without any chemical cultivation or processing. We believe that by using organic ingredients it creates a much better-tasting spirit, and of course, is better for mother nature. We also value the quality of the water that we use and believe it’s crucial to the taste. Most brands use only distilled water, which removes any of the natural nuances, sediments, and flavors that help bring out the complexity of the vodka. At Purity, we use naturally soft Swedish water, and as a result, it blends with the other ingredients creating a complex, characterful, and truly unique spirit.”

PURITY CONNOISSEUR 51 RESERVE ORGANIC VODKA

For more information please visit www.PurityDistillery.com

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