Eve's Wine 101

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

by

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

###

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

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

Eve Discovers: Montepulciano D’Abruzzo DOC Wines

by

As part of the Simply Italian Great Wines Tour, and organized by I.E.E.M. International Event and Exhibition Management, a group of over 40 wine bloggers, sommeliers and buyers attended a Master Class at the Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas that was devoted to the Montepulciano wine grape that is used in D’Abruzzo DOC wines. Before tasting seven organic and 100% Montepulciano wines, we learned a few things about the DOC from Master of Wine Brandon Tebbe and Davide Acerra with the Consorzio Tutela Vini d’Abruzzo. (Consorzio President Alexander Nicodemi was also in attendance.)

What We Learned

For my wine 101ers, before I give you my notes from the class let me clarify for you that the Montepulciano grape grown in the Abruzzo region of east central Italy is not the same grape found in the town named Montepulciano, which makes a wine mostly from Sangiovese grapes. Now, some of what we learned in bullet points:

  • This was the first time these wines have been tasted in Las Vegas. All are looking for importers.
  • There are approximately 250 wineries in the DOC, 10,000 grape producers, and 35 wine cooperatives.
  • The area has mountains on one side and the Adriatic Sea on the other. Lots of different terroirs. The current predominant area for vineyards is in Chieti that has gravel, sand and clay soil and is located near the sea.
  • Over 30% of the region is protected by four parks – three national and one regional. There are protected areas and nature reserves.
  • There are 1,000 square meters of grape growing area in total and its “rich in diversity” due to the big mountains on the west and the sea to the east.
  • Today we focused only on the red Montepulciano grape – 80% of the area produces this grape. The region also produces seven white grape varieties of wine.

What We Tasted

Tebbe talked us through a tasting of seven wines. He explained that they were very diverse in aromas and flavors. My husband Eddie also attended and some of the tasting notes below are his:

2021 Jasci and Marchesani AZ Agrobiologica: From a small family winery with sea-facing vineyards. Flavors were fruity, vanilla scented and quite dry. Eddie thought it was a great value at $20 a bottle, with red fruits, tannins and a medium finish.

2021 Santo Stefano by Cantine Mucci: Spent 6 months in 100% new American oak. A lot of bacon on the nose and mouth as well as black fruit and chocolate. An interesting wine. Eddie noted the ruby color, tobacco and oak on the nose, and a good balance.

2019 Rosarubra Vigne Lomanegra: This was my favorite wine in the tasting, and I had a chance to enjoy it again over lunch. A single vineyard wine, which had 24 months in barriques. It was quite juicy with black fruit, rose petals, vanilla, and just lovely to linger over. Eddie noted a lighter nose, with flavors of dark fruit, tannin and medium finish.

2019 Pasetti Tenutarossa: Grown at 1,650 foot elevation, and 12 months in bottle before release. The wine showed notes of mint, sour cherries, prunes and chocolate. Eddie got earth on the nose and dark fruit, tannins and acidity on the palate. He also thought it ageable and a good value wine at $15 to $22 a bottle.

2018 Talamonti SRL Tre Saggi: We were told that the words Tre Saggi translate to mean Three Wise Men. This wine was held for three years before release: one in 300-liter French barriques, the next in 300-liter French oak barrels and the last year was spent resting in the bottle. Both red and dark fruit, oak, and lots of tannins. On the nose Eddie got leather, a lushness, well-structured and ageable.

2018 Cantine Agriverde Plato: While the Three Wise Men took three years before release this wine was held for six: two years in stainless steel, two more in French oak barrels and the final two years resting in bottle. Lots of coffee, vanilla, cloves, cocoa adding up to a very dry and dark wine. Eddie found the wine earthy, balanced, structured and long lasting on the finish.  

2017 Cantina Frentana Costa Dei Trabocchi Vallevo: Our last wine was the oldest, proving that these wine could and should age. I found sour cherry notes in both the aroma and flavor, with the addition of spice and vanilla. This wine showed more fruit over tannin for Eddie, with a good balance and long finish.

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

Eve Explores: Beverage Academy at Southern Glazer’s Wine, Spirits and Beer of Nevada Reopening

by

Last month I had the opportunity to visit Southern Glazer’s Wine, Spirits & Beer of Nevada to learn all about the reopening of its “beverage Academy to customers, partners and the broader food and beverage community for educational events in February 2023.” Below I will share what I learned at the presentation and below that is their latest news release.

Beverage Academy at Southern Glazer’s Wine, Spirits & Beer of Nevada

First of all let me say that no, there isn’t another wine, spirits and beer distributor that has a beverage academy providing accredited programs. Usually what happens (for my lay people reading this) is the beverages are sold to a restaurant, and if needed, the distributor will explain all about the drink, how it’s used and how to present it to customers. This is the mainstay of the curriculum – for those in the industry so that they can gain necessary education that they can then communicate to the customer.

Now, moving on, the academy at Glazer’s is freaking amazing. There is stadium seating, extra comfortable chairs for that lengthy class, cameras to record the lessons, amazing lighting including the entire lit-up bar, and TV screens for their educational materials. I spoke with Allan Carter, VP of Marketing, Special Events and Education and these are some bullet points of what I learned from him:

  • The room was closed for two and a half years due to Covid; it originally opened in 2013.
  • Many Las Vegas bar staff has been trained in the room.
  • Currently open to staff as well as press and consumers, also available for corporate meetings.
  • The goal is to get all of the new people in the industry trained as many left during the pandemic. Other goals besides educating employees is to add value to suppliers and add value for customers.
  • They have an in-house chef and kitchen.
  • Carter would like the academy to never be empty.

From Master Sommelier Joseph “Joe” Phillips: wine lessons include old world, new world, tasting technique, assessing wine – which includes the SATO method to identify Sugar, Acid, Tannin and Oak.

From Livio Lauro, Author/Spirits Expert: they have past students that started as bar backs that are now beverage directors, they teach bartenders not to be overwhelmed by the up to 3,000 bottles behind them and to give their customers the highlights, get to know their customer’s flavor profile, and to learn the 12 basic cocktails.

Back to me: There is a wide curriculum of master classes and seasonal classes. I received the course syllabus on each which should also be available online. Besides those already mentioned above there are also classes on Fine Service, Mixology, Sake, Spirits of Asia, Wine List Construction, Blind (wine) Tasting and a basic Introduction to Spirits and Introduction to Wine. Check out the classes here: https://www.sgwsacademy.com/apply

Southern Glazer’s of Nevada Academy Reopens After Two-Year Hiatus

LAS VEGAS January 3, 2023 – Southern Glazer’s Wine, Spirits and Beer of Nevada (Southern Glazer’s of Nevada) announces that it is reopening their renowned Academy, Southern Nevada’s top beverage education center, in February after temporarily suspending in-person instruction because of the pandemic in 2020. The Academy returns with a full catalog of courses including its distinguished and comprehensive Academy of Spirits, Mixology and Fine Service.

The Academy plans to offer more than 15 classes in 2023 including Masterclass sessions and seasonal classes. The mainstay Academy of Spirits, Mixology and Fine Service course has been an important part of the Academy’s core curriculum since it was created. The course covers all things wine, beer, and spirits in great depth. Students will learn about the history, geography, culture, service technique, and impact of their favorite wines and spirits over 12-weeks or a new accelerated 5-day boot camp.

The Academy has served Southern Nevada since 2000 and has been critical in training thousands of food and beverage specialists in Las Vegas. Hospitality is the primary economic engine in Las Vegas and the Academy supports the industry by educating service professionals and preparing them for further certifications in wine and spirits. Accreditation through Southern Glazer’s of Nevada’s Academy is considered a top training among the Valley’s top bars and restaurants, and a strong pre-accreditation resource for international beverage examinations like The Court of Master Sommeliers and Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET).

“We are excited to reopen the Academy to in person instruction,” said John Landry, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits. “The number of new and upcoming resorts and restaurants in Las Vegas is growing daily, so the need for highly-trained food and beverage professionals has never been greater. Supporting the hospitality and beverage industry in Southern Nevada requires more than innovation in distribution — teaching people about trends and best practices keep the industry growing.”

Master Sommelier Joseph Phillips and Mixologist Livio Lauro, both employees of Southern Glazer’s and respected experts in their respective fields, curated the 2023 course catalog. Joseph “Joe” Phillips was a part of the original team who opened the Bellagio in 1998, after previously managing award-winning wine programs for Aqua, Sensi, and Michael Mina. Livio Lauro is recognized as one of the most instrumental figures in the resurgence of the United States Bartenders’ Guild (USBG) and is the founding President of the Guild’s Master Accreditation program, which is the premier national testing body for bartenders in the United States.

As part of Southern Glazer’s of Nevada’s commitment to education, the Academy will also be available to host supplier, trade and customer events that create unique value for suppliers and partners.

JANUARY 13, 2023 UPDATE: “As a show of support to the hospitality industry and continuing to move Las Vegas forward from the pandemic, Southern Glazer’s is proud to announce that all Academy classes in Q1 will be free for trade customers interested in fine wines, spirits and beer. To apply and view the full list of offerings, visit sgwsacademy.com/apply“

About Southern Glazer’s Wine, Spirits & Beer of Nevada

Southern Glazer’s Wine, Spirits & Beer of Nevada is the state’s leading beverage distribution company and a division of Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits is the world’s preeminent distributor of beverage alcohol, and proud to be a multi-generational, family-owned company. The Company has operations in 44 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and Canada. In 2022, Southern Glazer’s was listed as one of Forbes Best Employers for Diversity. In 2021, Southern Glazer’s was selected as a U.S. Best Managed Company by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal, as well as named by Newsweek as a Top 100 Most Loved Workplace. Southern Glazer’s urges all retail customers and adult consumers to market, sell, serve, and enjoy its products responsibly.

For more information visit www.southernglazers.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @sgwinespirits.

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

Breckenridge Wine Classic, Held in the Heart of the Rockies, Returns this September

by

GOLDEN, Colo.  – The Breckenridge Wine Classic tickets are now on sale for the September 15-17 festival. Located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, the Breckenridge Wine Classic is a three-day festival anchored by the two-day Grand Tasting in addition to unique seminars such as a guided hike and pairing with master winemakers, wine dinners planned by world-class sommeliers, and more than 100 wineries, breweries, distilleries, and epicurean purveyors at this ultimate food, wine and sensory experience.

“The Breckenridge Wine Classic is the accessible wine festival with world-class offerings nestled in the mountains that we always wanted to see,” said Breckenridge Wine Classic Festival Events and Marketing Director Kristen Horpedahl. “With pricing starting at $75, it’s an affordable, yet highly desirable destination, for a weekend getaway with friends, bachelorette party, couples’ trip and more.”

The 2022 Breckenridge Wine Classic, celebrating its eighth year, includes:

  • The Grand Tasting, Friday, Sept. 16 and Saturday, Sept. 17: The Classic’s Grand Tasting features an impressive selection of hundreds of domestic and international wines, plus premium craft beer and spirits. In an effort to provide a truly intimate tasting experience for patrons, there will be two sessions of the Grand Tasting. Both sessions feature the same beverages and samples.

  • Pairings & Seminars, all weekend: Ticketed seminars play into a variety of interests and activities. You could take a hike with a winemaker followed by a paired lunch; learn the basics of wine pairing at home; or taste why the wine glass really does make all the difference.

  • Wine dinners, Thursday, Sept. 15: Expertly curated wine dinners and paired lunches will be held at local top dining restaurants across Breckenridge with Master Sommeliers and winemakers.

“Whether you are a full-fledged foodie or an emerging gourmand, you are sure to find more than one event to whet your appetite at the wine classic,” said Slater. “There is something for everyone – from tastings next to a Rocky Mountain backdrop, to deeply educational seminars and luncheons, to outdoor adventures with food and wine influences, there are tastes and temptations at every turn.”

More details regarding the seminars and events will be released closer to the festival. Volunteer applications will open in June.

Sunset Magazine Partners with Wine Access to Launch the Sunset Wine Club

by

NAPA, CALIF. (PRWEB) – Wine Access, the premier online destination for expertly curated wines, has partnered with Sunset Magazine, the premier resource for achieving the ultimate Western lifestyle, to launch the Sunset Wine Club. The Sunset Wine Club will provide members with wines that represent the poetry and history of California, Oregon and Washington, each hand-selected to perfectly pair with recipes from Sunset Magazine’s latest issue, which hit newsstands February 1.

“The Sunset Wine Club is aligned with our mission to connect people and place through wine through a direct integration with the renowned content and recipes Sunset Magazine produces,” explains Wine Access CXO AJ Resnick. “Every wine is hand-selected to shine alongside each issue’s recipes, and features exclusive tasting notes and guided virtual tastings with our Chief Wine Officer Vanessa Conlin, MW and Sunset Magazine Editor-in-Chief Hugh Garvey.”

“The Sunset Wine Club is the culmination of a longtime dream of ours,” states Sunset Magazine Editor-in-Chief Hugh Garvey. “We seek out the best of the West to share with our readers and we are excited to partner with an expert retailer like Wine Access, who understands both our mission and our audience. These wines have been expertly curated to amplify our regionally authentic, original recipes, so with every bottle you open and sip you take, you are not only receiving a wine shipment, but partaking firsthand in the story of the wine in the West.”

The Sunset Wine Club includes six bottles of wine which will be delivered four times a year. Each shipment is priced at $120 (shipping included) and corresponds with the Sunset Magazine “Perfect Pairing” sidebar in each issue. For more information, please visit http://www.wineaccess.com/sunset.

About Wine Access
Founded in 1996, Wine Access is the leading online direct-to-consumer wine platform offering the world’s most coveted wines. As one of the earliest adopters of ecommerce and DTC offerings in the digital wine space, Wine Access curates high quality wines from every wine region around the globe, creating more accessible ways to enjoy wine that extend beyond the bottle. Wine Access’ Master of Wine, Master Sommelier, and team of industry experts taste over 20,000 wines a year, offering only those that exceed the expectations defined by their prices. Through Wine Access’ network of family-owned, legendary winemakers, and coveted marquees, customers have access to an inspiring curation of unique and often unattainable wines. To build a deeper understanding and connection to each bottle, every shipment includes original tasting notes, flavor profiles, pairing recommendations, and compelling original stories that capture the authentic personality, passion, and philosophy of the producer. Wine Access also offers a Wine Club membership that unlocks access to rare and highly coveted wine selections from every major wine-growing region around the globe four times a year. In 2021, Wine Access was named the official wine provider of the MICHELIN Guide. To find out more, visit https://www.wineaccess.com/.

Carter Creek Winery Racks Up 12 Awards at TXIWC

by

JOHNSON CITY, Texas – Carter Creek Winery, located in the heart of Texas Hill Country and owned by the Carter Family, accepted 12 awards at one of the largest wine competitions in Texas – the 5th Annual Texas International Wine Competition (TXIWC). The mission of this yearly competition is to highlight Texas as a prominent viticulture and wine-making region while also raising funds for charitable donations for local community organizations.

Entries from six countries and over 11 U.S. states were blind tasted and judged by panels of three or more industry qualified judges – master sommeliers, masters of wine, certified wine educators, enologists, wine writers, professors, beverage directors, buyers and other influencers – all chosen for their vast experience and well-trained palates.

“We are most pleased that 12 of our Texas High Plains wines from Carter Creek Family Winery won distinguished recognition at TXIWC and especially proud our Plateau Red was awarded Best of Class Texas Red,” said Jeff Carter, president of Carter Hospitality, operating company of Carter Creek Winery Resort & Spa. “We too, like the organizers of this competition, are passionate about bringing recognition to Texas viticulture and supporting local community causes,” Carter added.

Veteran master winemaker Jon McPherson, who oversees production of Carter Creek’s award-winning wines, points out the winery’s vineyards in Texas Hill Country produce varietals that are especially unique because of the combination of an extremely warm growing season and an early harvest delivering softer, earth driven wines. McPherson likes to talk about the qualities of Best of Class Texas Red winner, Plateau Red, which is a blend of tempranillo, grenache, touriga nacional and tinta cao, showing a very exotic fruit aroma of spiced black cherries and raspberries. He says that Plateau Red is a rich, full-bodied wine due to 18 months of barrel aging and pleases the palate with bold lingering fruit flavors.

The 12 Carter Creek Winery, Texas High Plains award winners include the Best of Class Texas Red, one double gold, two gold and eight silver medals. Award winning wines include:

  • Best of Class Texas Red Wine Blend: Plateau Red, 2016
  • Double Gold Red Wine Blend: Maverick, 2018
  • Gold Medal White Wine Blend: Gloriosa, 2017
  • Gold Medal Red Wine Blend: Maverick, 2017
  • Silver Medal Sparkling White: Brut, NV
  • Silver Medal Dessert, Port: Dominum Tinto, NV
  • Silver Medal Other Flavored Grape Wine: Sangria, NV
  • Silver Medal Sparkling Fruit: Sparkling Peach, NV
  • Silver Medal Red: Tempranillo, 2016
  • Silver Medal White Blend: Plateau White, 2017
  • Silver Medal White Blend: Viognier Roussanne, 2017
  • Silver Medal White Blend: Viognier Roussanne, 2018

Producing award-winning wines since 2016, Carter Creek Winery’s production facilities are in Johnson City along Old Hwy 290 in Texas Hill Country, complementing Carter Creek Winery Resort & Spa. Carter Creek Winery Resort & Spa features 78 luxury villas, tasting rooms, a restaurant, its own onsite microbrewery creating small batch craft beers and an outdoor event center. It is a counterpart to Temecula, California’s award-winning South Coast Winery Resort & Spa and Carter Estate Winery and Resort.

 About Carter Hospitality Group

Established in 2011, Carter Hospitality Group, LLC. is a family-owned hospitality company with four hotels and resorts as well as three wineries across the United States. Based in Orange County, California, the company manages and owns a portfolio of luxury properties including South Coast Winery Resort & Spa, Temecula, California; Carter Estate Winery and Resort, Temecula California; and Carter Creek Winery Resort & Spa, Texas Hill Country. Carter Hospitality Group additionally serves as the owner-franchisee for Red Lion Hotel Orlando Lake Buena Vista South, Orlando Florida. For more information, visit www.carterhospitality.com.

Really Good Boxed Wine Announces Master Sommelier Endorsement With Its National Launch

by

HEALDSBURG, CALIF. (PRWEB) – Really Good Boxed Wine, the new direct-to-consumer wine brand whose mission is to elevate the quality of boxed wines, announces the release of its 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon from a Certified Sustainable in Practice (SIP) vineyard in Paso Robles.

“Andy Myers, the first Master Sommelier to become affiliated with a boxed wine.”

This is the brand’s first broadly available release after two limited releases of a 2020 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, each time selling out in a few days. Really Good Boxed Wine is available as either a one-time purchase or as a monthly subscription.

The launch of the latest varietal comes with an endorsement from Andy Myers, the first Master Sommelier to become affiliated with a boxed wine. He found his love of wine while working at the three Michelin Star Inn at Little Washington and never looked back, later spending almost a decade as the beverage director for Chef José Andrés ThinkFoodGroup.

The Master Sommelier diploma is the highest distinction a professional can attain in fine wine and beverage service. There are only 269 Master Sommeliers worldwide, including 172 in the United States, with many sommeliers dedicating their lives to achieve this elusive designation.

“Boxed wine has gotten a bad rap from wine drinkers who perceive it as being inferior,” said Myers. “But since most of today’s wines don’t need to be aged in a bottle, it makes sense to take high-end wines like those offered by Really Good Boxed Wine and create better and more sustainable packaging, without inhibiting the drinking experience. I was thoroughly impressed with all of the wines Really Good Boxed Wine is releasing, and am excited to be part of their journey.”

Really Good Boxed Wine’s founder Jake Whitman concurs with Myers’ mission to revamp the image of boxed wine while helping to address the wine industry’s carbon emissions due to bottle manufacturing.

“Really Good Boxed Wine’s goal is to create the best boxed wine in the United States, and we’re beyond thrilled that Andy loved our wine enough to endorse it after trying it,” said Whitman. “Far from mass-produced, commercially farmed grapes, our wine is directly sourced from respected vineyards and award-winning winemakers. I believe boxed wines are one of the clearest ways to help reduce the carbon impact of packaging in our industry, and our hope is Andy’s incredible palate and Master Sommelier credentials will help educate consumers on the quality of our wine.”

Whitman followed, “Our team of sommeliers and industry experts tasted more than 50 options to find the perfect wine for our January release, ultimately landing on our new 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles. We can’t wait to share it with the world.”

Each 3 Liter box of Really Good Boxed Wine, the equivalent of four bottles of wine, sells for $65, or $16.25 per bottle. Wines of this caliber typically retail for a minimum of to per bottle.

Consumers enjoy up to a 60% savings versus comparable premium wine bottles, since packaging costs and shipping are significantly lower.

Really Good Boxed Wine’s next varietals include a 2021 Pinot Noir Rosé from the Russian River Valley in February, followed by a 2021 Sauvignon Blanc from Sonoma County in March. For more information, visit https://www.reallygoodboxedwine.com.

###

About Really Good Boxed Wine:
Really Good Boxed Wine combats the misconception that high-quality wine can’t be put in a box. They partner with world-class vineyards and award-winning winemakers to make ultra-premium wine, put it in the boxed wine format, and sell it direct-to-consumer through http://www.reallygoodboxedwine.com. It’s boxed wine you actually want to drink.

5starWines – the Book: The exclusive wine Guide now available

by

VERONA, ITALY (PRWEB) – 5StarWines – the Book is the result of this year’s edition – the 5th – of the blind wine tasting 5StarWines & Wine Without Walls, which took place on June 16-18. The printed version of the Guide, not for sale, will be distributed among leading industry experts and international buyers from all over the world. However, anyone can have access to the online version, which is now available for consultation on the event website. The Guide includes technical characteristics, tasting notes, and information about the selected wines.

In this edition, more than 600 wineries from all over the world participated, and almost half of them got selected to be part of the 5StarWines & Wine Without Walls 2022 Guide. Approximately 60 wines were tasted each day by an international jury composed of Masters of Wine, Masters of Sommelier, WSET graduates, Vinitaly International Academy Experts and Ambassadors, oenologists, and journalists. More than 2000 wines were tasted by the jury, which was divided into two categories (one for 5StarWines, and the other for Wine Without Walls which focused on certified organic, biodynamic wines and wines produced by sustainable wineries). The wines awarded a score of at least 90/100 by the jury are now featured in the official Guide 5StarWines – the Book 2022. This year 510 wines were selected: 391 for 5StarWines’ category and 119 for Wine Without Walls.

The main scope of the guide is to facilitate wineries in better promotion and education of the acclimated wines. Veronafiere is committed to promoting all awardees through all of their resources, including the distribution of the guide 5StarWines – the Book during the main wine trade fairs, B2B meetings, tastings, and masterclasses throughout the year. Moreover, the digital version of the Guide allows a widespread distribution, reaching not only wine experts, but also wine lovers across the world. The Guide is an important marketing tool for the selected wines and wineries, and guarantees them visibility through constant promotional support on a national and international scale. The wines included in 5StarWines – the Book appear also on the Wine-Searcher website, the world’s most popular wine search engine, exposing them to a broad new client base.

The Digital format of the guide is available online on the official website of the event: https://www.5starwines.it/la-guida/?lang=en. The paper version of the guide is set to be published by the end of September 2021.

About: 5StarWines – the Book is the annual wine selection organized by Veronafiere, normally held in the lead-up to the biggest Italian wine fair in the world. 5StarWines – the Book & Wine Without Walls is a blind tasting aimed at shedding light on wineries investing in the improvement of their products. During the event, a highly qualified panel of wine professionals taste and score — using a 100-point scale — participating wines. In the 2021 edition – the fifth – over 2000 bottles took part in the competition and 510 were selected for inclusion in 5StarWines – the Book. The Guide is a useful tool both on the promotional and commercial side. It introduces international buyers and wine lovers to new wine products of great value. It guarantees wine quality, and it maintains and certifies their value at an international level.

Wine Country Network Launches The 2021 Tequila Mezcal Challenge

by

BROOMFIELD, COLO. (PRWEB) – Wine Country Network, publishers of Wine Country International magazine, and producers of six professional beverage competitions have announced that the third annual Tequila Mezcal Challenge (TMC) is now accepting entries in more than sixty categories of Tequila, Mezcal and Agave spirits.

The company is organizing the TMC and selecting a prestigious panel of Tequila & Mezcal professionals consisting of Master Sommeliers, F&B Directors, Journalists, and Retailers Buyers. Several recognized Tequila Mezcal experts from around the US will participate as guest judges.

Christopher J. Davies, Wine Country Network, CEO and Co-Founder stated, “Serious tequila deserves serious recognition. Our well-rounded panel of experts will taste the Tequilas, Mezcal & Agave Spirits “double-blind” and achieve the fairest scoring results possible. We plan to separate spirits in different price points for our popular categories to maintain an even playing field. We are looking to identify the absolute best products in this exciting category!”

There are currently around 150 distilleries in Mexico, making Tequila, Mezcal, and Agave products. There are now over 1,500 Tequila brands, with more coming online every week. In 2020, top competition winners included:

  • Geu Beez Mezcal Espadin “Best of Show”
  • Cierto Tequila “2020 Hot Tequila Brand”

The 3rd Annual Tequila Mezcal Challenge will occur on November 13 & 14, 2021, at the Origin Hotel in Westminster, Colorado. The competition is now open to Craft Distillers, Merchant Bottlers, Brand Marketers, Commercial Distilleries, and Duty-Free Spirits Producers. Producers, Importers, and Distributors are now encouraged to enter their products online before November 1, 2021. For details visit: TEQMEZCHALLENGE.COM

Brännland Cider awarded IWSCs inaugural ice cider trophy

by

At IWSC:s inaugural international judging for cider produced as wine from 100% apple juice Brännland Cider won a number of medals, out of which five gold, in the class “Ice Cider – naturally cold produced”. The ice cider judged as the best in the entered field, taking home the class trophy, was Brännland Iscider Barrique 2013. The jury gave it 97 points and wrote:
”Aromatic and giving on the nose. The palate is elegant yet rich with fresh walnuts, spicy nutmeg and cinnamon wrapped around caramelised oranges and orange peel. This is so well balanced with great acidity. Complex example with depth and a long finish.”

Andreas Sundgren, founder, Brännland Cider,

“We made the decision a few years ago to stop competing but when we heard about the IWSC initiative this spring we felt the time had come for an exception. The IWSC puts its focus on judging rather than competition which strengthens an entire field of producers and they have, as the first organisation in Europe, split the ice cider class into two categories, differentiating between ice cider produced using natural cold and ice cider produced by other means, in line with the AOC in the country of origin. IWSC:s global position together with a strong jury made it impossible not to participate. We are honored and happy to have won these medals and to be a part of this historic initiative by the IWSC.”

Brännland Cider’s ice ciders are available in a number of international markets.
About Brännland Cider

Brännland Cider was founded a decade ago with the vision of creating a world class sweet wine using Swedish apples only and guided by the same principles as the greatest sweet wine producers around the world. In its ten years of existence the company has taken place in some of the world’s best restaurants to be served alongside legends like Yquem and Müller.

The company, situated on latitude 63 at par with Iceland, Greenland and Alaska, focuses entirely on ice cider, a sweet dessert wine born in the early 1990s in Quebec, Canada. The light warm summers and cold winters of the sub-arctic are ideally suited to produce ice cider. Parallel to developing European ice cider Brännland Cider are establishing the world’s northern most apple orchards.

The vision is a singular ice cider born out of singular and unique terroir. A truly Nordic terroir that can grow and develop for a century and beyond and rival the finest wine making regions in the world.

About the IWSC

  • With over 50 years of experience, the IWSC, or Club Oenologique as it was called back in 1969, was the first official wine and spirit competition.
  • The IWSC is proud to set the international benchmark for quality, standing out in the crowded world of drinks awards with hundreds of global experts.
  • IWSC judges consist of a mix of wine and spirit experts, such as leading sommeliers, Master of Wines and Master Sommeliers, and distillers from across the globe.
  • The IWSC is the go-to platform for having your wines or spirits tasted and reviewed by leading decision-makers from both the off- and on-trades, as well as by key influencers.
  • Whether you are looking for new distribution channels, local or global exposure, product benchmarking, greater brand awareness or simply expert feedback, the IWSC is there for you.
Brännland Cider produces ice cider using 100% Swedish apples for a national and international market. The company’s first vintage, an ice cider produced in the Swedish county of Västerbotten, not far from the arctic circle, using Swedish apples in adherence to the denomination set in the country of origin of ice cider, Canada, was released in 2012.