Eve's Wine 101

Purity Breaks Top 10 Brands of Premium Priced Vodka in the United States

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ELLINGE CASTLE, Sweden /PRNewswire/ — Purity is now a top 10 super premium priced vodka brand in the United States based on 26-week Nielsen dollar sales.

Purity Connoisseur 51 Reserve Organic Vodka is made from natural ingredients, its prize-winning flavors come from the combination of organic barley and wheat, distilled slowly with low heat multiple times. The heart of Purity Connoisseur 51 Reserve is distilled 51 times to maximize flavor as well as smoothness. As a family- owned, craft, organic distillery we are so pleased when consumers and critics alike praise Purity for its quality versus more industrial producers.

PURITY is committed to making the best tasting, highest rated organic spirits in the world. Purity has earned hundreds of international awards in blind tasting as well as sustainability.

Purity Vodka is comprised of three award winning straight vodkas. In 2021 all Purity Vodka offerings earned a 93+ point rating and Purity Connoisseur 51 Organic Vodka took top honors with a 95-point rating. The highest rated Vodka the last 5 years by Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

PURITY is now available for purchase in store and online in more than 25 US States.

“To become a Top 10 Super Premium Vodka brand indicates we have earned the recommendation of expert retail and on-premise partners. It also means consumers are responding favorably to the Purity taste and quality promise,” says Purity Vodka Inc CEO Andy Kullhem.

Mathias Tönnesson, Master Blender at Purity Distillery says: “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 vodka, and of course, is better for the environment. 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 Organic Vodka. Available in 750mL, 1.0L, and 1.75L For the true connoisseur, this is our most refined and exquisite vodka. Incredibly smooth and distinctive, our flagship spirit requires very little to enjoy all the nuance and flavor that the world’s finest vodka has to offer. When it’s this good, you don’t need anything but time to enjoy it.

Purity Signature 34 Organic Vodka. Available in 750mL, 1.0L, and 1.75L
Perfectly balanced, our signature edition has won more than 150 international awards and is recognized for its character, smoothness, and ability to be enjoyed neat or blended for unforgettable cocktails. Signature 34 Edition is our original vodka, with a decade spent refining the number of distillations required by our master distiller, Stefan Magnusson, to create this extraordinary spirit.

Purity Estate 17 Organic Vodka. Available in 750mL and 1.75L
Estate 17 Reserve is a versatile and full-bodied ultra-premium vodka and is the perfect partner for making unforgettable cocktails. The heart of the Vodka is distilled 17 times, it is smooth enough to enjoy neat but really shines when blended with other distinguished ingredients.

For more information, please visit www.puritydistillery.com

About Purity Distillery – the home to the world ́s best tasting Vodka & Gin  At the Swedish family-owned Purity Distillery we only have one motivation – to produce the best tasting spirits imaginable. It’s a simple statement to make but much harder to achieve. For the last decade, every decision is based on that one criterion. From choosing the best organic ingredients and mineral-rich soft natural water to spending years refining our unique distillation process. Every step matter, because the taste matters. That’s all that counts.

Geloso Beverage Group LLC Released Their Newest Brand, BUZZ TEA

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Rochester, NY- Geloso Beverage Company LLC, a four-time winner of the industry’s Impact Hot Brand Award and Top 100 Beverage Company, released their latest brand of malt beverages, Buzz Tea on March 1, 2022, just in time for Spring. Buzz Tea released three delicious flavors that include Original, Half & Half, and Peach.

Buzz Tea is a canned hard iced tea that goes harder, smoother, and louder than your typical backyard cooler drink. Buzz Tea will launch three favorite flavors: Original, Half & Half, and Peach, containing 6.5% alcohol available in 12 oz variety packs and 24 oz singles. Geloso Beverage Group’s goal with Buzz Tea is to create a brand of ready-to-drink beverages that reflect current flavor trends consumers will surely enjoy. “The hard tea market has a lot of opportunity right now and we jumped on it. We knew we could produce delicious and easy-to- drink flavors with a higher percentage alcohol than our competition” says Mary Chapman, Marketing Director at Geloso Beverage Group.

The primary alcoholic ingredient in Buzz Tea is a triple filtered malt and all-natural blends of Argentinian black
tea. When developing Buzz Tea, Geloso Beverage Group strived to create a drink with reduced carbonation to give it a clean experience and refreshing taste–and that’s what they did.

Buzz Tea Original 6.5%: The classic Buzz Tea is brewed from real black tea and natural flavors.

Buzz Tea Half & Half 6.5%: Buzz Tea Half & Half—made from real black tea and fresh lemonade. The classic tea meets summertime lemonade that you can buzz on year-round.

Buzz Tea Peach 6.5%: Be a peach and sweeten up your next boat day, house party, or your living room couch. Made from natural Peach tea extracts, keep it light and peachy.

“Here at Geloso Beverage Group we are building on the success of our other brands. With Buzz Tea, we are investing in paid social across all channels, as it is a major part of this brand’s personality. Having conversations with our consumers is more important to us than ever.” says Paul Rene, Vice President of North American Sales at Geloso Beverage Group.

Unlike any other brand, Buzz Tea will be interactive, tapping into social media and offering texting lines to get to know its consumers. Buzz Tea will have a series of hashtags to use on social media that consumers can use to update them on the latest BUZZ. The interactive line will allow consumers to text to learn more about the brand and prevent them from sending those awkward “You Up?” text messages.

About Geloso Beverage Group LLC

Geloso Beverage Group LLC, launched in 2002, exclusively serves the U.S. market and is based in Rochester, NY. It sells and distributes multiple flavored malt beverages, including; Clubtails – Cocktail in a Can, Johny Bootlegger, and Pepito.

New Deal Distillery’s Old Tom Gin wins Best of the Northwest

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PORTLAND, ORE. (PRWEB) – New Deal Distillery’s Old Tom Gin wins Platinum in Sip Magazine’s 2021 Best of Northwest Barrel Aged Gin category. Distilled with over 20 botanicals and barrel-rested in French oak, this amber colored gin bridges Portland’s craft distilling scene and Oregon’s winemaking tradition.

New Deal’s founder, head distiller, and self-proclaimed “young Tom”, Tom Burkleaux tinkered and experimented with this gin recipe for years before finally making it a part of New Deal’s permanent line of spirits this past May. Embracing their proximity to the Willamette Valley, this final rendition of Old Tom Gin is aged in Oregon wine barrels and slightly sweetened in the traditional style, creating a warm, toasty, and highly sippable spirit. Burkleaux explains that “while Old Tom is not a new style of gin, it is a style that’s continually evolving. Old Tom is a large and diverse category that has historically encompassed both barrel aged and sweetened gins, and we set out to combine the two.”

So, why is it called Old Tom Gin? In 18th century England, before London Dry Gin stole the show, Old Tom was the gin of choice. It was so popular that several prohibitive laws were enacted to curb its consumption but this only drove the gin scene underground. Since gin was nearly outlawed, pubs secretly selling this ‘mothers ruin’ would alert interested parties to its availability by putting a wooden plaque of a tomcat outside their building. After a coin was deposited through a slot in the wall, the bartender would slyly pour a shot through a pipe out to the patron. Some say it’s this reference to the old tomcat plaque that gives Old Tom Gin its name. However, like much of the history of spirits and cocktails, the exact answers are not known. There are other theories, some having to do with a tomcat falling into a vat of gin or an older distiller named Tom.

What is known for sure is that aging a spirit in wooden barrels affects its overall flavor profile — the gin can take on barrel characteristics like vanilla, clove, oak and smoke. For this reason, Old Tom Gin is often popular with whiskey fans as the gin takes on some of the same notes of barrel aged whiskey and can be enjoyed similarly when served on ice or simply sipped neat. Curious to try this fascinating (and award winning) spirit? New Deal’s Old Tom Gin can now be shipped right to your door in 40+ states: https://shop.newdealdistillery.com/product/new-deal-old-tom-gin/

More about New Deal Distillery:
New Deal Distillery has been making high quality, craft-distilled spirits, inspired by the DIY culture of Portland, Oregon since 2004. All of their artisan spirits are made in small batches with Bull Run water and natural and organic ingredients, sourced locally whenever possible. For more information visit newdealdistillery.com or email info@newdealdistillery.com.

100 Percent Cork Survey Reveals That Cork Closures Seal 91 Percent of the World’s Top Wines

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NEW YORK (PRWEB) – According to a recent survey conducted on behalf of 100% Cork and APCOR (The Portuguese Cork Association), 91 percent of the world’s top wines selected by Wine Spectator in 2021 are sealed with cork closures. The survey also revealed that of the 33 domestic wines selected, 31 were sealed with cork (94 percent), while 60 of the 67 imported wines that made the Wine Spectator list were also sealed with cork closures (89.5 percent).

100% Cork has conducted surveys of the Wine Spectator’s Top 100 every year since 2016, with cork closure usage historically ranging from between 84% to 90% of the wines selected for the list. 2021 represents the highest number recorded since tracking began.

“Given the incredible natural properties of cork, it makes sense that the majority of the best wines from around the world are sealed with cork,” says Carlos de Jesus, operational director of the InterCork program of APCOR. “Its lightness, elasticity, carbon sequestration, and ability to provide consistent oxygen transfer to help with wine’s evolution, are just a few of cork’s characteristics.”

Cork closures continue to be the market leader for the wine market in the U.S., highlighted by significant growth in both sales and market share over the past decade. Between 2010 and 2020, case sales of cork finished wines among the top 100 premium brands increased 97 percent compared to 6 percent for alternative closures, according to Nielsen. During the last ten years, market share of premium cork finished wines jumped from 47 percent to 67.6 percent.

Natural cork closures have a negative carbon balance when used to seal wines bottled in glass containers, according to recent studies conducted by three of the world’s largest auditing companies. A single stopper has a balance of up to – 309 grams of CO2; numbers for sparkling wine stoppers go even higher at up to – 589 grams.

As a renewable and natural product, cork is harvested without damaging or cutting down the trees, which live for 200 years or longer. During its lifetime a cork oak tree can absorb 20 tons of CO2 from the atmosphere while producing up to 65,000 corks. Through sustainable harvesting, the cork industry is helping to fight climate change by preserving Europe’s largest oak forests from deforestation, while also providing high-paying jobs for agricultural farmers.

Since 1988, Wine Spectator has released its annual Top 100 list, selecting the best wines from the thousands reviewed during the year. According to the magazine, the criteria used to create this highly-regarded, annual list focus on quality, value, availability and excitement.

The information collected in this survey was conducted through individual phone calls and emails to the wineries, importers and distributors listed in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 List of 2021.

For more information about APCOR, visit http://www.apcor.pt and http://www.100percentcork.org. You can follow APCOR and the 100% Cork campaign on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. For questions about APCOR, please contact Augustus Weed or Leah Isenberg at Colangelo & Partners.

About 100% Cork
100% Cork is an educational communications campaign about wine cork stoppers. The mission of the campaign is to provide the wine industry and consumers with the latest information and research on the benefits of natural cork. The campaign was established by the Portuguese Cork Association (APCOR) with support from the Cork Quality Council to increase awareness of the unique qualities and sustainability of natural cork.

About APCOR
Associação Portuguesa da Cortiça (APCOR) exists to represent and promote the Portuguese cork industry and its products. APCOR is the employers’ association of national scope, created in 1956 and is based in Santa Maria de Lamas, at the heart of the cork industry around 30 kilometers from Porto, Portugal’s second largest city. Membership of the association is open to all companies operating in the fields of production, marketing or export of cork products. The organization advocates on behalf of the Portuguese cork industry worldwide and is the driving force of an industry based on tradition, innovation and sustainability.

New Deal Distillery’s Driftwood Libations offer premium ready-to-drink cocktails

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PORTLAND, ORE. (PRWEB) – After a long day at work, not everyone has the time, patience, or know-how to make a balanced cocktail – but thankfully, New Deal Distillery does. So, let them fix you a drink! New Deal Distillery’s Driftwood Libations line https://newdealdistillery.com/driftwood-libations offers pre-mixed cocktails that only need to be poured, stirred, and garnished – truly bringing bar quality cocktails to your kitchen.

It is no secret that COVID-19 has changed the way that the general population imbibes. The RTD category has exploded in popularity and as consumers’ interest has grown, so has that of beverage producers. This boom led to some truly amazing canned cocktails but there was still something missing from the market. As New Deal’s owner and head distiller Tom Burkleaux explained, “the goal of the Driftwood Libations project was to craft an elevated RTD cocktail, something you might serve up to impress a guest, to celebrate a special occasion, or to truly treat yourself”.

Cue the Driftwood Libations flagship – The Driftwood Manhattan. This cocktail classic is crafted with three-year straight rye whiskey along with house-made vermouth and bitters. All that’s needed is a glass and some ice to enjoy. The success of this ready-to-pour and easy-to-drink cocktail inspired yet another classic, a Brandy Old Fashioned crafted with New Deal distilled Willamette Valley wines. This was soon followed by an Espresso Cocktail that infused house distilled vodka with cacao nibs and Portland-roasted Marigold Coffee, Burkleaux maintaining that “if wide-leg jeans get to come back, so do Espresso Martinis”.

This trio will soon be joined by a Negroni Blanc and Vesper Martini, with more expressions in the works. Looking to buy your friend a round? New Deal Distillery’s Driftwood Libations are now available for shipping to 40+ states: https://shop.newdealdistillery.com/

More about New Deal Distillery:

New Deal Distillery has been making high quality, craft-distilled spirits, inspired by the DIY culture of Portland, Oregon since 2004. All of their artisan spirits are made in small batches with Bull Run water and natural and organic ingredients, sourced locally whenever possible. For more information visit newdealdistillery.com or email info@newdealdistillery.com.

Montecucco, Tuscany: The 2021 Harvest Is Over, With Expectations For An Excellent Vintage

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NEW YORK (PRWEB) – The Montecucco Consortium announced the end of the harvest and released its 2021 harvest report, which indicates an average quantity decrease of 20–25% compared with 2020 but excellent quality for the Sangiovese that arrived in the cellar.

The 2021 growing season was difficult. The April frost was a serious challenge for the region, in particular for wineries below 200–240 m ASL. A cold May caused an irregular budbreak, and summer drought stress contributed to further reducing harvest volumes. The unusual drought persisted as a problem from January to September: 204 mm of rain compared to an average of 450 mm annually during the last 20 years.

But favorable sunny weather conditions accompanied the flowering and the ripening of the grapes from June through September.

During the latter month, there were significant day-to-night fluctuations in temperature with variations as high as 15–16° C, significantly helping tannins soften and enhancing the aromatic profile of the wines.

Montecucco producers did their best to minimize the water stress conditions on the vines by controlling excessive vegetation and working the land almost daily to ensure a sufficient water supply. Some wineries were able to intervene with emergency irrigation systems. Thanks to this diligent management, producers reached the yield of 70 quintals per hectare required by the Montecucco Sangiovese DOCG regulations and 90 quintals per hectare required by the Montecucco DOC regulations. Montecucco winemakers were able to evaluate and manage the situation successfully, dividing the harvest into several phases according to the particular needs of each plot.

“We’re expecting the Sangiovese wines to age for a long time,” said Giovanni Battista Basile, president of the Montecucco Consortium. “We’re more than satisfied with the excellent health of the grapes that arrived in the cellar, with no traces of either downy mildew or powdery mildew. The ‘clean’ work in the vineyards that is in the DNA of our territory—with 85% of wineries certified organic—encouraged these results and helped make the vines more resistant. Our winegrowers have made a significant effort to implement earth-friendly practices such as organic pest management and the use of natural and organic products, as well as engaging in innovative studies and research projects on environmental sustainability, in partnership with important institutes and university centers.”

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About the Montecucco Consortium (Consorzio Tutela Vini Montecucco):
Founded in 2000 and representing 68 wine producers, the Montecucco Consortium is committed to the stewardship, protection and promotion of the Montecucco wine denomination. The consortium ensures high quality through a set of formal production guidelines for the entire winemaking process, from cultivation to bottling, including a strict traceability system that allows consumers to know the origin of each wine purchased. The consortium’s ability to provide day in and day out support to local growers, assist in brand promotion and focus on the quality of the end product have earned the organization the trust of numerous leading estates and attracted some of Italy’s most renowned producers. For more information visit conosorziomontecucco.it

Acme Hospitality Restaurants In Santa Barbara Introduce New Cocktails for Fall and Winter Season

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Seasonal Santa Barbara County-Inspired Cocktails are Created By The Lark,

Pearl Social, Loquita and La Paloma Café’s Talented Bar Team

 

Acme Hospitality’s bar team, led by Alberto Castillo (The Lark and Pearl Social), Michael Bowlds (Loquita) and Sam Hamlin (La Paloma Café), has designed a new menu of hand-crafted cocktails, reflecting the change of season in Santa Barbara County.

Nine fresh cocktails include Flora Rosa and Saguaro (The Lark); Accident in Paradise and Bird is the Word (Pearl Social); Del Maguey Mezcal Flight and Verde Eastside (La Paloma Café); and Las Fallas; Siderias and El Caqui de España (Loquita).

All fall drinks are priced from $12-14; $30 for the Mezcal Flight and are now available through December. High resolution photos available.

Loquita, photo credit Kate Winter.

ACME HOSPITALITY’S SEASONAL COCKTAILS 2021 available now through fall and winter season

The Lark

Flora Rosa

jalapeno-infused reposado tequila, guava, lime, ginger cordial, rosemary $14

 flora rosa highlights the beautiful romance that tequila has with spice

the jalapeno infusion provides the right blend of spice and bite that is brought

together and brightened by notes of ginger…

tropical hints of guava as a finish gives this cocktail the perfect amount of complexity

Saguaro

vida mezcal, ancho reyes chile liqueur, lime, mint, basil, grapefruit peel $14

 vegetal/herbaceous brightness and hints of spice complement the mezcal, blending fresh crisp flavors of cucumber mint and lime with the natural smokiness of the spirit and stimulate the palate before dinner

Pearl Social

Accident in Paradise

tequila, pineapple, cilantro-mint-cucumber, lime, firewater $12

 pineapple and cilantro go perfectly together;

blending with firewater brings out all the flavors in this most refreshing of cocktails

Bird is the Word

mezcal, pineapple, campari, lime, salt $13

perfect balance between smokiness, bitterness, and sweetness

 a pinch of salt so when shaken perfectly complements the agave

La Paloma

Del Maguey Mezcal Flight

a rotating selection of single village© mezals $30

warm the palate with aromas, flavors and rich textures

each taste takes you on an adventure…remember… sip it, don’t shoot it

Verde Eastside

mezcal, cucumber, agave, lime $15

a take on the classic eastside with mezcal instead of gin and

cucumber puree replaces muddled cucumber

the smokiness of the mezcal pairs beautifully with the subtle sweetness of the cucumber; the puree adds brilliant color and texture

Loquita

Las Fallas

rye, rum, carpano, vermut $14

inspired by the popular festival holidays in valencia that occurs from september 1-5

it is marked by flower offerings, fireworks and substantial communal bonfires

Siderias (de Pasado Verano)

gin, lime, passionfruit, manzanilla sherry $14

in spain, parties and festivities that honor tradition are referred to as “siderias”

this drink highlights the first tasting of spanish ciders when they are ready

El Caqui de España

mezcal, lime, persimmon, sherry $14

caqui is spanish for persimmon, featured in this cocktail

spain is the largest producer in the world of this autumn fruit

All seasonal cocktails are priced from $12-$14; $30 for Mezcal Flight

 

The Lark

131 Anacapa Street

Santa Barbara, CA 93101

805.284.0370

Pearl Social

131 Anacapa Street, Ste B, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

 805.284.0380

 

Loquita

202 State Street

Santa Barbara, CA 93101

805.880.3380

 

La Paloma Café

702 Anacapa St

Santa Barbara, CA 93101

805.966.7029

The mission of Acme Hospitality is to bring together the community to experience warm hospitality and the highest quality food, beverages and ambiance while venerating the diversity of Santa Barbara and the Central Coast.

ABOUT THE LARK:

The Lark’s menus are locally sourced and responsibly grown, using the highest quality seasonal ingredients based on the abundant bounty of the Central Coast. Drawing inspiration from the coastal regions of the Mediterranean Sea, The Lark’s food is beautifully plated, featuring bold flavors designed to delight the senses while staying rooted in the climate, geography and inspiration of Santa Barbara, the American Riviera.

ABOUT PEARL SOCIAL:

Pearl Social is a romantic, intimate cocktail bar, social destination and live music venue where people come to celebrate life while enjoying the music and ambiance of this dynamic new space. Pearl Social is the ideal place to grab a hand-crafted artisanal cocktail before or after dinner at one of the Funk Zone’s most popular restaurants – The Lark or Loquita. Pearl Social’s name gives a nod to the celebrated first lady of Santa Barbara, Pearl Chase, a local activist who worked tirelessly on the historic preservation and beautification of the popular coastal city. Pearl Chase was an intelligent and courageous woman who deeply loved her adopted hometown of Santa Barbara and spent her life committed to bettering it.

ABOUT LOQUITA:

Loquita, an endearing Spanish colloquial term for a wild and fun-loving young girl, is a love letter to the Spanish origins and history of Santa Barbara. The menu presents a variety of authentic Spanish pintxos, tapas, paella, charcuterie and cheeses; seafood and meat dishes sourced from Santa Barbara’s ranchers, farmers, and fishers.

ABOUT LA PALOMA CAFÉ:

La Paloma is an approachable neighborhood restaurant, patio and watering hole, picking up just where it left off. La Paloma Cafe is a thoughtfully crafted California barbecue restaurant where flavors reflect the past and present of our local community. Paying tribute to the age of the vaquero, La Paloma uses indigenous ingredients prepared with Mexican and Spanish influences and cooked over California live oak.

For further information on Acme Hospitality, visit

www.acmehospitality.com

Follow on Instagram

 @thelarksb

@pearlsocialsb.com

@loquitasb.com

@lapalomasb.com

Wine.com Partners with 100% Cork to Promote the Environmental Benefits of Wine Stopper Recycling

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NEW YORK (PRWEB) – 100% Cork and Wine.com, the nation’s leading online wine retailer, are proud to announce an environmentally friendly partnership to raise awareness of the sustainability and natural benefits of cork closures. In November, Wine.com will launch a national cork promotion that will feature a groundbreaking cork recycling initiative. The sustainability push will coincide with National Recycling Day on November 15, and feature a curated list of cork-sealed wines from some of America’s leading sustainable wine producers who are partnering with 100% Cork. The list of eco-friendly wines is available at wine.com/choosecork.

Photo: 100% Cork Facebook page.

The promotion will include a virtual wine tasting on November 4, with industry leaders in sustainability: Ridge Vineyards (represented by Head Winemaker and COO John Olney), Groth Vineyards & Winery (represented by President and CEO Suzanne Groth), and Willamette Valley Vineyards (represented by CEO and President Jim Bernau). Wine lovers wishing to taste along and learn from these sustainability leaders can register to attend at https://www.wine.com/content/landing/virtual-tastings.

“Sustainability is at the forefront of our minds, as it is for our suppliers and customers,” said Michael Osborn, Wine.com founder and executive vice president. “We are pleased to partner with 100% Cork to educate our customers about the benefits of cork while also offering them an easy way to take action and start recycling immediately.”

The sustainability partnership was born out of a shared goal of addressing some of the most pressing ecological issues facing the wine industry today, and to help build awareness of corks’ intrinsic benefits as a natural and renewable closure. “We are delighted to partner with Wine.com on this groundbreaking cork promotion that will increase accessibility to cork recycling for households across the country,” said João Rui Ferreira, vice-president of The Portuguese Cork Association (APCOR). “By partnering with Wine.com, 100% Cork will be able to inform wine lovers about the many benefits of cork as a natural, renewable and sustainable product. Cork is the highest quality wine closure on the wine market and remains the gold standard for premium wineries around the world.”

At the heart of the 100% Cork and Wine.com partnership will be a first-of-its-kind e-commerce cork recycling initiative. Utilizing the services of ReCORK, Wine.com will provide envelopes made from durable recycled paper for shipping and recycling used cork closures. Each envelope holds up to 55 natural corks and features a QR code that wine lovers can scan to create shipping labels allowing for easy drop off at USPS locations. The QR codes will also provide additional discounts on select premium wines bottled under natural cork on Wine.com, as well as special offers on high-end products made from recycled corks, including yoga blocks, performance footbeds, and footwear at ReCORK and SOLE.

Natural cork closures have a negative carbon footprint when used to seal wines bottled in glass containers, according to recent studies conducted by three of the world’s largest auditing companies. A single stopper has a balance of up to – 309 grams of CO2; numbers for sparkling wine stoppers go even higher at up to – 589 grams.

Working with ReCORK, 100% Cork will help educate wine lovers around the country about the full life cycle of cork closures once they are pulled from a bottle, highlighting the small but highly impactful ways that wine drinkers can become climate activists through the simple process of recycling cork, through its initiative with Wine.com.

About 100% Cork
100% Cork is an educational communications campaign about wine cork stoppers. The mission of the campaign is to provide the wine industry and consumers with the latest information and research on the benefits of natural cork. The campaign was established by the Portuguese Cork Association (APCOR) with support from the Cork Quality Council to increase awareness of the unique qualities and sustainability of natural cork.

About APCOR
Associação Portuguesa da Cortiça (APCOR) represents and promotes the Portuguese cork industry and its products. APCOR is the employers’ association of national scope, created in 1956 and is based in Santa Maria de Lamas, at the heart of the cork industry around 30 kilometers from Porto, Portugal’s second largest city. Membership of the association is open to all companies operating in the fields of production, marketing or export of cork products. The organization advocates on behalf of the Portuguese cork industry worldwide and is the driving force of an industry based on tradition, innovation and sustainability.

About Wine.com
Wine.com offers selection, guidance, personalization and convenience not found in stores – helping customers discover the incredible world of wine with confidence. Live chat sommeliers provide friendly advice and customers receive unlimited shipping all year by joining StewardShip. For more information, visit the company’s website at wine.com or download its app in the Apple Store or Google Play.

About ReCORK
ReCORK™ creates high-performance, carbon-negative composite materials and components using natural recycled cork. ReCORK™ was launched as a natural wine cork recycling program in 2008 by Canadian footwear company SOLE™. It has since become the largest program of its kind in North America, with an R&D team dedicated to innovation around the cork recycling process. ReCORK’s proprietary material, ReCORK™ Recycled Cork, redefines what’s possible using cork, offering a natural, sustainable, versatile alternative to foams and plastics derived from fossil fuels. ReCORK’s mission is to make petroleum-based foams and plastics obsolete. Learn more at recork.com.

HALL Wines in Napa Valley Heads to Guana Island (BVI) for Unique Food & Wine Program in January 2022

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Celebrated California Wine Brand Owned by Craig & Kathryn Hall to Collaborate on Gastronomic Program in the British Virgin Islands

from January 12 – 14, 2022

(British Virgin Islands) –Guana Island, the award-winning resort in the British Virgin Islands, is collaborating with renowned California wine brand, HALL Wines, to offer a three-day Wine Program from January 12 – 14, 2022.  The program will bring some of HALL’s most celebrated vintages as well as its Director of Winemaking, Megan Gunderson, to Guana for a dynamic program for travelers and food- and wine-lovers alike.

The HALL team will work closely with Guana’s Executive Chef to prepare a program celebrating the flavors of the California wines alongside the island’s natural bounty. Director of Winemaking for HALL Wines, Megan Gunderson, will work with the culinary team to create special menu pairings inspired by the flavors of Guana. She will also personally pour wines from across the HALL Family Wine brands portfolio including HALL, WALT and BACA Wines, and be available to chat with guests about the brand’s extensive West Coast vineyards, and the winemaking process.

The Guana culinary team will be creating new menus for the program, pulling as many ingredients as possible from the island’s orchard, including fresh herbs, fruits, vegetables and microgreens. The four-acre orchard has been recently expanded to include three new greenhouses and is home to tropical fruits such as breadfruit, soursop, and papaya as well as more exotic items such as lemongrass and pomegranate. Guana guests also enjoy fresh fish from the surrounding waters, including grouper, yellowfin tuna and mahi-mahi.

The three-day program will kick off with a Beach BBQ pairing Caribbean-inspired flavors with WALT Wines, known for single vineyard Pinot Noirs, complemented by live music from a local band. The following day, Gunderson and Guana General Manager Jason du Plessis will host a formal al fresco dinner, offering tastes of some of the most celebrated bottles from the HALL wine collection, including the bold Cabernets for which they are known. Gunderson will be on-hand to personally discuss each vintage, guiding guests through an educational and flavorful evening. The program will conclude the following day, with a guided tour of the orchard and an invitation to try some lesser-known vintages, matching HALL Wines with just-picked produce and tropical fruits that are only found in the Caribbean.

HALL and WALT Wines offered during the immersive experience will be available to order throughout the program. As with all visits to Guana, meals and activities prepared as part of the wine program will be included in the cost of a room. Rates at Guana start at $890 per night.

For reservations or more information on the events, call (800) 544-8262.

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ABOUT GUANA ISLAND

One of the few private islands in its part of the world, Guana remains the most unspoiled jewel of the British Virgin Islands. Our 850 acres, seven beaches, mountains, gardens, organic orchard, dozens of hiking trails, and even our flock of flamingos are the exclusive domain of a handful of guests for the duration of their stay. In this setting, where the sparkling Caribbean meets the vast Atlantic, you’ll find first-class dining, accommodations, and service in a tradition of low-key luxury perfected through nearly a century of family stewardship. For more information or reservations, visit www.guana.com or call (800) 544-8262.

ABOUT HALL FAMILY WINES

HALL Family Wines produces high quality Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel under the HALL, WALT and BACA brand monikers. Owned by Craig and Kathryn Hall, the family-owned winery produces artisan wines that express the unique and diverse character of the wine country’s soils and climates through meticulous attention to detail in the vineyards and throughout the winemaking process.  The family’s luxury wine portfolio, led by Winemaker Megan Gunderson sources fruit from some of the most prominent vineyards up and down the West Coast and includes eleven Estate vineyards– Sacrashe, Bergfeld, Hardester, T Bar T Ranch, Atlas Peak, Rainin, Dellar-Freidkin, Cook, Bob’s Ranch, Clos Pepe and The Corners. The HALL St. Helena winery was the first LEED® Gold Certified Winery in the State of California in 2009 and earned another LEED® Gold certification for its high-tech production facility and Tasting Room in 2014. Since the inception of HALL in 1995, the three luxury wine brands have earned over 600 ratings of 90 points or above from the industries top critics, including five 100-point scores from the industry’s most notable wine critics. Visit www.hallwines.com, www.waltwines.com, www.bacawines.com for more information, or call 707-967-2626.

The Secret Garden Distillery Announces Appointment of ImpEx Beverages as its Exclusive US Importer

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The Secret Garden Distillery is proud to announce they have joined forces with ImpEx Beverages, a California based spirit importer, to bring their award-winning gins from Edinburgh to the USA.

The first shipment will soon find its way into specialty retailers across the USA.  The expressions for this launch include Damask Rose & Juniper, Lemon Verbena & Juniper, and Pink Elderflower, Jasmine, & Juniper.   Each of these bring with them a unique experience for the American consumer, as the nurture and love for each botanical shines through with every sip.

Damask Rose & Juniper

A lovely golden gin with aromas of rose and hints of juniper. It tastes like Turkish Delight with some light citrus and candied cherry. It’s a gorgeous, delicate gin that is as refreshing as it is beautiful.

Perfect serve: Pour over ice and mix with a premium light tonic water and watch it naturally transform from a shimmering gold to a lovely pink in honor of this noble rose’s petals.

Lemon Verbena & Juniper

Crystal clear gin with aromas of citrus, lemon sherbet, and hints of herbs. Its zesty flavors are intermingled with juniper.

Perfect serve: Pour over ice and mix with a premium light tonic water. Garnish with a slice of lemon or a sprig of fresh mint.

Pink Elderflower, Jasmine, & Juniper

A delightful salmon pink gin with aromas of orange and pink grapefruit. On the palate it’s quite exotic with citrus and sweet orange flavors. All the sweetness is coming from the natural residual sugar of the plants.

Perfect serve: Pour over ice and mix with a premium light tonic water and watch it change from salmon pink to a brighter vibrant pink. Serve with a slice of pink grapefruit.

Hamish Martin, Founder of the Secret Garden Distillery, said: “I am so delighted to be working in partnership with ImpEx Beverages as our exclusive distributor in the US. They have embraced our beliefs and truly understand our ethos and our one true value; to be rooted in nature. I started the business with a dream, to create a Garden that works hand in hand with nature, using no chemicals whatsoever and actively encouraging our wild indigenous plants. These magical plants and herbs offer an array of natural flavors that work so well together in our gins. There are no added sugars, artificial colorings, flavorings, or preservatives, just nature distilled. We hope you enjoy them as much as we enjoy making them.”

Andre de Almeida, Managing Director of Secret Garden Distillery said “This is an exciting time for The Secret Garden Distillery, as we embark on the next stage of our journey. Hamish has built a unique business proposition underpinned by his passion for nature which is at the heart of everything. Working in partnership with ImpEx Beverages is an important step in sharing our story with Herb Garden premium gin consumers across the world. We are very excited for the future and our partnership with ImpEx Beverages.”

When speaking to Sam Filmus, President of ImpEx Beverages, he said, “We could not be more pleased to embark on this adventure with The Secret Garden Distillery.  These amazingly unique gins and the team behind them are sure to bring delight to US Consumers looking for something more than just your average gin.  Add to this the way the natural botanicals react to tonic water and change the color of the spirit, you have a real crowd pleaser.  We look forward to seeing the US fall in love with Herb Garden Gin, just as we have.”

About The Secret Garden Distillery

The Secret Garden Distillery lovingly crafts every bottle from seed to sip, and create unique tasting gins full of natural flavors and aromas with no added sugars, artificial colorings, flavorings or additives. Always with a commitment to better their sustainability credentials and impact on Mother Earth.

The Secret Garden Distillery was founded by entrepreneur and herbologist Hamish Martin, on a 7.5-acre site based on the outskirts of Edinburgh with its very own gin botanical garden.

Hamish and his wife Liberty originally purchased the site in 2012 with the dream to create The Secret Herb Garden, filled with plants, using no chemicals whatsoever, working hand in hand with nature and encouraging wild indigenous plants to flourish. Hamish, who had previously worked in the wine and spirits trade, started to experiment with herbs and spirits to demonstrate how remarkable nature is in naturally delivering flavour and color. By October 2017, the Secret Garden Distillery was established.

The Secret Herb Garden has over 600 naturally and sustainably grown varieties of herbs and plants, including a wide range of junipers, angelica and a dedicated apothecary rose garden. All plants are lovingly cultivated and hand harvested to ensure the highest quality. The botanicals are dried naturally at 37 degrees, distilled and then bottled at 43% ABV (for the US Market only) as they believe this is best for the floral flavors to harmonise with the gin. The garden is maintained with no chemicals – they only use plants to heal plants. They also ensure nature gets its fair share, and currently leave a percentage of plants unharvested to create wildlife habitats to feed and encourage wildlife and allow their 11 colonies of bees to have their fill too.

About ImpEx Beverages

In 2008, a new chapter began for Sam Filmus, after years in the business captaining JVS Imports. With ImpEx Beverages, his vision was to import premium and rare Spirits from around the world, with a special emphasis on the best of what Scotland has to offer.

In 2018, Chris Uhde joined Sam as his business partner in ImpEx Beverages and together they have expanded the portfolio and vision for ImpEx.

Now, ImpEx boasts an impressive portfolio, including some of the most notorious small to medium sized distilleries and independent bottlers.

ImpEx Beverages imports Whisky, Gin, Rum, and Mezcal from Scotland, Belgium, Wales, Japan, Israel, and Mexico with future anticipated additions from unexpected destinations. We also feature a fine line of Liqueurs and Cordials produced in the US.

Regardless of your preference, you are sure to find something that pleases from the ImpEx Beverages Portfolio.

For more information on where to find these amazing craft gins, please email office@ImpExBev.com.