Indigenous Grapes From Southwest France: A Tasting

November 12, 2021 by evebushman

I love French wines – Bordeaux, Rhônes and Champagne – so when I got an invitation to taste three wines from Southwest France I accepted the challenge as I was very curious about tasting wines from grapes and wineries I may not be as familiar with. Information on each wine is from their technical sheets are below, followed by my tasting notes and finally more information on the wines from Southwest France.

DOMAINE DU MOULIN

GAILLAC MAUZAC 2017 FRENCH SPARKLING WINEbubble

REGION Southwest France

APPELLATION Gaillac

GRAPES Mauzac

VINTAGE 2017

TASTE

Gaillac’s local Mauzac grape lends itself extremely well to this medium-sweet style of wine. Full of spice and apple flavors, the wine is delicious as an aperitif. (The méthode ancestrale involves bottling a partially fermented wine which then finishes its fermentation in bottle.)

PRODUCER

Jean Paul and Dominique Hirissou took over the family winery in 1976. As soon as they arrived, they chose to focus on increasing the quality of their wine with each vintage by sourcing the best soils in the area, building a new winery adapted to produce wines of great quality, and opening the doors for wine tourism. Nicolas Hirissou, their son, is now in charge. Upon returning from his studies in 2002, he was handed the keys to the winery and granted the ability to take control of Domaine du Moulin wine production.

My Notes: Bubbles furiously – and for a long time – worked their way to the top of a golden-hued colored wine. Fruit cocktail in heavy syrup, pears, cling peaches and banana – tons of fruit – with just a hint of jasmine tea wafted to my nose. My mouth was coated with that same fruit, now honeyed, crisp and lasting. Very interesting wine.

DOMAINE DUFFOUR

CÔTES DE GASCOGNE BLANC

REGION Southwest France

APPELLATION Cotes de Gascogne

GRAPES Gros Manseng, Ugni blanc, Colombard

VINTAGE 2020

TASTE

Notes of melon, clean, pure flavors of citrus fruit, an engaging herbaceous note, and a pleasingly dry finish.

PRODUCER

Domaine Duffour resides in the small town of Lagraulet-du-Gers, and since the early 1980’s proprietor Michel Duffour has dedicated himself to producing quality red and white wines. Since taking over his father’s property, he has entirely replanted the vineyards with Gros Manseng, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Tannat, having kept the old Colombard and Ugni Blanc vines that he also uses for the production of armagnac.

My Notes: Shiny gold with a slight green in color, with aromas of white peach, lime zest, vanilla ice cream and a rocky riverbed. Tasting the wine reminded me of lemon-lime soda, pear, green apple, white pepper; with a soft minerality, fresh and very clean, acidic and yet round in the mouth. Super different, and I really liked this wine.

NATURE SECRETE SAINT MONT RED “Nature Secrete”, 13% alcohol.

REGION Southwest France

APPELLATION Saint Mont

GRAPES 70% Tannat, 15% Pinenc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon

VINTAGE 2018

TASTE

Generally characterized by a beautiful concentration of flavors, often revealing notes of red and black fruits such as blackcurrant.

PRODUCER

The Saint Mont appellation combines 200 wine growers who cultivate 1,200 hectares of vines. “The wines of Saint Mont are still very young, having been awarded AOVDQS status (Superior Quality Wine with a Designation of Origin) in 1981, and unanimously granted AOC status in 2011,” explains Eric Fitan, a wine grower and President of the Appellation.

My Notes:

Opaque and very dark purple was my observation of the color. The nose delivered notes of sweet stewed black and blue fruits, rich earth, black licorice, coffee bean and pipe smoke. On the mouth I was reminded of dried blueberries, crushed blackberries, black pepper, spices, a rich mouthfeel, dry and tannic with a medium finish.

About Southwest France Wines

Southwest France is the leader in grape diversity with up to 300 discovered grape varieties and 130 indigenous grape varieties, all of which produce a large array of outstanding wines in every color.

Home to the grapes that started it all, nearly half of the varieties in the region are indigenous. Some famous grapes such as Malbec and Cabernet Franc originate from the region. Known for its strong cultural roots and rich history unique to the terroir, these native varieties embody the legacy of Southwest France’s particular geography and centuries of careful selection. Southwest France invites you to discover its genuine pool of biodiversity and to discover true originally born from historic origins.

About Interprofession des Vins du Sud-Ouest France 

Interprofession des Vins du Sud-Ouest (IVSO) is a professional organization of wine producers, cooperatives, and trading companies in the Southwestern corner of France. The organization represents 16 Protected Designation of Origin and 12 Protected Geographical Indication in this region of France bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the west, and Spain and the Pyrenees Mountains on the south, while other official organizations manage the remaining appellations of the Southwest France region. Headquartered in Toulouse, the IVSO is actively building its membership and increasing its promotion of the wines of Southwest France around the world.

For more information on the Wines of Southwest France, please visit their website.

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

UGCB confirms the strong performance of the Bordeaux Grands Crus

November 10, 2021 by evebushman

The 2021 vintage, which tested winegrowers’ nerves until the very end…

The harvest began with the white wines in early September, followed by the reds from the end of the month until mid-October. It signalled the end of a year marked by weather conditions that compelled winegrowers to go the extra mile. After an early start, the 2021 growing season was affected by frost in spring, leading to losses in highly localized areas. While initially slow to emerge, the summer eventually set in, with sunshine and a fairly dry month of August. As a result, the 2021 harvest began later than expected, and yields are lower compared to previous years. The unusual weather also accounts for the distinctive nuances of this vintage. This year’s grapes are remarkably sweet and well-balanced, conducive to producing elegant and harmonious wines. In the coming weeks, they will be transferred to the cellar to age for several months.

… to be presented “En Primeur” in April 2022

As the historic organiser, the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux has confirmed that the next “En Primeur” tastings, bringing industry professionals from around the world, will take place from 25 to 28 April 2022. Health regulations permitting, this international event will be held in the iconic backdrop of Bordeaux. The aim for the UGCB is to continue to support industry activities and maintain longstanding ties between producers and professionals. The one-off format adopted for the previous two years to allow the “En Primeur” tastings to go ahead in the best possible conditions stands as a testimony to this.

The Bordeaux Grands Crus have confirmed their strong performance in France and abroad

The Bordeaux Grands Crus are still winning over fans. Sales have seen strong growth in the past year, both in France and all over the world. Exports of Bordeaux wines sold at over €22.50/bottle have exceeded 1.3 billion euros in the past 12 months. According to Ronan Laborde, President of the UGCB, several factors explain this growth. Firstly, the outstanding quality and style of Bordeaux wines, which appeal to enthusiasts. Secondly, the industry’s unique commercial approach, which has helped drive the market despite the restrictions in place

TASTE THE DIFFERENCE campaign kicks off

November 6, 2021 by evebushman

NEW YORK (PRWEB) – From October to December 2021, TASTE THE DIFFERENCE programme will be casting a new light on European PDOs – Protected Denomination of Origin – and PGIs – Protected Geographical Indication – thanks to an intense activity calendar. Aimed at increasing the perceived value of wines with protected origin and national cultural heritage, while ensuring an image of European excellence and tradition, the campaign addresses both press and trade professionals and will be focusing on quality wines made in Spain and Italy.

The campaign is the result of the joint efforts of Prodeca, a Spanish state-owned company supporting agri-food and forestry products from the north-east of the country, and UIV, Italy’s most important wine association representing 660 companies and a total of 150.000 growers.

The lively series of activities, to be run both in person and online, includes active participation in events such as TEXSOM – where TASTE THE DIFFERENCE will support the Volunteer Dinner – the arrangement of dedicated masterclasses in October and November with GuildSomm in major cities such as New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Austin, alongside with an open-to-all virtual seminar series that will remain available online. In addition to this, a Grand Tasting will be run in New York featuring upwards of 40 producers from Italy and Spain and seminars showcasing the peculiarities of the many appellations involved.

The wide series of activities will strengthen the awareness of PDO and PGI symbols and broaden the knowledge of related appellations among journalists and bloggers, wine influencers, key opinion leaders, as well as sommeliers, beverage directors and retailers, thanks also to a social campaign.

About TASTE THE DIFFERENCE PROGRAM
The program: European quality wines: taste the difference is a project financed by the European Union and managed by Unione Italiana Vini and PRODECA for the promotion of PDO and PGI European wines abroad in China and US. In order to achieve this objective, the TTD.EU program will organize wine seminars, workshops and b2b meetings both in these countries and in Spain and Italy, inviting wine professionals to join study trips to Europe. The program, realized in the span of three years (2021-2023) aims at creating awareness about European quality wines, in particular Italian and Spanish, which share a long tradition and a high standard of quality.

The beneficiaries: Unione Italiana Vini is the oldest and most commissioned Association of the Italian wine market. It represents cooperative, private and agricultural wine-companies, bottlers, consortia, associations and wine-making machines or wine cellars / laboratory manufacturers, located throughout the Italian territory. Promotora de Exportaciones Catalanas (PRODECA) is a public company established in 1986 and added to the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food of the Government of the “Generalitat de Catalunya.

APCOR Partners with San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival® to Promote Environmental Benefits of Cork

November 3, 2021 by evebushman

SAN DIEGO (PRWEB) – The Portuguese Cork Association (APCOR) and the San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival, one of California’s largest wine and food events, are proud to announce an environmentally-focused partnership to promote the sustainability of cork closures at the 17th annual festival and culinary celebration on November 11-14.

Born out of the shared goal of raising awareness of the biggest ecological issues facing the U.S. wine industry, APCOR and the San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival will be implementing a groundbreaking cork recycling initiative throughout the event, a first for the festival. Utilizing the services of ReCork, North America’s largest recycler of corks, the festival will provide festival-wide recycling bins to consumers, and participating wineries across all events. Following the completion of the festival, ReCork will grind down all of the corks collected and provide the San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival with a carbon sequestration total to showcase the positive impact that cork recycling had on the environment.

“We are excited to be partnering with APCOR for this groundbreaking cork recycling initiative,” said Michelle Metter, Producer of the San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival. “We think it is important to do our part in raising awareness of the environmental impact of corks. By focusing on the education of cork recycling, the festival’s attendees will leave with insight they can pass on to others about cork recycling and sustainability.”

The San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival is an international showcase of the world’s premier wine and spirits producers, San Diego and Baja’s celebrated chefs and culinary personalities, brand experiences and live entertainment. The festival is a 4-day celebration of citywide events, including the Grand Tasting on Saturday, November 13.

APCOR will support the San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival’s sustainability efforts with on-site education to help wine lovers learn about the incredible carbon sequestration properties of cork forests, cork closures, and cork as a material in general. Cork is a perfect balance between environmental preservation and sustainable development. It’s harvested without damaging or cutting down cork oak trees, which live for over 200 years. The cork oak forest is one of the 36 biodiversity hotspots, and can retain 14,000,000 tons of CO2 per year. It is estimated that for every ton of cork produced, cork oak forests capture up to 73 tons of CO2. As a renewable and natural product, cork can be recycled to produce a variety of everyday products, and is integral to the continued retention of CO2.

“We are delighted to be working with the San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival to launch this first of its kind cork recycling initiative across the culinary celebration, and to support the festival’s goal of raising environmental awareness in its community,” said Joao Rui Ferreira, President of APCOR. “By partnering with one of the country’s premier wine and food festivals, we can educate food and wine lovers about natural cork’s positive environmental impacts, showcasing the intrinsic value of cork as a sustainable and renewable product.”

For nearly two decades, APCOR has been at the forefront of promotional efforts advocating on behalf of natural cork. In 2021, APCOR launched a new integrated communications campaign to promote the environmental benefits of cork, which continues to be the market leader for the premium wine market in the U.S. 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, APCOR will be able to help wine lovers around the country learn about the full life cycle of cork closures once they are pulled from a bottle, and highlight the small, but highly impactful ways that wine drinkers can become climate activists through the simple act of recycling cork, starting with this recycling initiative at the San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival in November.

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.

SAN DIEGO BAY WINE + FOOD FESTIVAL®
Travel to San Diego and Arrive at Awesome. The 17th Annual San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival is an international showcase of the world’s premier wine and spirits producers, chefs and culinary personalities, and gourmet foods. Held November 11-14, 2021 the festival raises funds for culinary, oenology or hospitality scholarships or grants and has awarded over $450,000 to individuals or nonprofits through previous events. Hundreds of wineries, breweries, and spirit companies and San Diego’s top restaurants participated in the 2019 Festival and the SDBWFF is looking forward to showcasing even more talent in 2021. For more information visit http://www.sandiegowineclassic.com. Produced by World of Wine Events and Fast Forward.

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.

Wine Paris and Vinexpo Paris, where the global industry meets

October 30, 2021 by evebushman

Wine Paris and Vinexpo Paris is returning to Paris Expo Porte de Versailles from 14 to 16 February 2022 for its third edition, marking the resumption of in-person events for the wine and spirits industry. By offering a comprehensive and inspiring range of products with a powerful international resonance, the Vinexposium group’s flagship event is reiterating its commitment to becoming THE global benchmark and a key date for trade members.

Wine Paris and Vinexpo Paris will be the first major international event of 2022 and it marks the resumption of full-scale tastings. Highly awaited by the global wine and spirits industry for the variety of products on show and its business meetings, the event is now focusing on promoting attendance by key buyers, including those from outside the EU who are showing a strong interest in the exhibition.

Over three days, more than 2,800 exhibitors will convene in Paris to showcase their latest vintage, their flagship products and rare bottlings, all of them delicious pours to be shared with connoisseurs from around the globe. The desire by French wine marketing boards to join forces by being stakeholders in the event is stronger than ever and the event will group together all of France’s wine regions, alongside an impressive line-up of international wine regions. In total, representations from 23 countries will celebrate the reunion of the wine and spirits community in the heart of the French capital next February.

The event, which will cover four halls at the entrance to the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles exhibition centre (halls 3, 4, 5 and 6), will cater as much to the small winegrowers as to the major international brands. Household names such as François Lurton, Gérard Bertrand, E. Guigal, Maison M. Chapoutier, Domaine Paul Mas, Castel Frères, Maison Sichel, Bernard Magrez, Grands Chais de France and Gh Martel & Cie Champagne will be attending, alongside less prominent vineyards well worth discovering, such as the Aquitaine Independent Winegrowers and family-run properties like Vins Chevron Villette, Vignobles Vellas and Château Castigno, to name a few. Hall 5, set aside for international producers, will welcome wines of Luxembourg, Advantage Austria, Tenuta Lamborghini, Wines of Lebanon, Wines of Germany, Cesari, Carpineto, Consorzio Di Tutela Della Doc Prosecco, Consorzio Tutela del vino Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco, Gaja, J. Garcia Carrion, Viniportugal Wines Of Portugal, Hammeken Cellars and Flechas De Los Andes, for example.

Alongside wines in Hall 3, the Be Spirits by Vinexpo area and its huge Infinite bar will bring together spirits from all backgrounds, ranging from micro-distilleries through to well-known brands. Attendees will include the Armagnac marketing board BNIA, Calvados Château du Breuil, Cognac Lheraud, Distillerie Warenghem, Gin de Binche, Glasgow Whisky, La Martiniquaise, Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association and Distilleria Bertagnolli.

“Wine Paris and Vinexpo Paris is above all an event that brings people together and creates a sense of community. People welcome their clients there from a wide range of backgrounds to give international exposure to local, innovative products, from the little treasures to the prominent growths. Paris will host a celebration in 2022 and we are very much looking forward to being reunited with everyone once again”, stresses Rodolphe Lameyse, CEO of Vinexposium.

For more information, please visit wineparis-vinexpo.com

About WINE PARIS & VINEXPO PARIS

WINE PARIS (created by COMEXPOSIUM under the guidance of 13 French wine marketing boards) is the merger of VinoVision and Vinisud, an initiative by all of the founding, partner wine marketing boards. It was further enhanced in 2020 when it partnered with VINEXPO, the creator of international events for the wine and spirits trade. Founded in 1981 by the Bordeaux-Gironde chamber of commerce and industry, Vinexpo is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2021 and has gained unique market insight, along with an extensive network of influential distributors worldwide.

About VINEXPOSIUM

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

Tasting Casa Mexico Tequila

October 29, 2021 by evebushman

Received some interesting tequila from Casa Mexico for review, what made it interesting you may ask? Well, for one the two aged expressions, the Reposado and Añejo, benefitted from time in new American oak barrels that weren’t “tainted (by) the flavor of old whiskey” and char – which I couldn’t wait to sample for myself.

Tasting:

(The quoted sections are from Casa Mexico)

Blanco

“The Blanco tequila is a straightforward expression without any aging.”

Toasted corn, cream, vanilla bean, citrus, mown grass and without any nose burn at all; tingly mouthfeel, some of the same notes from the nose on the taste – the cream, vanilla and citrus – with an extra-long finish. Highly sippable.

Reposado

“The Reposado ages for a minimum of six months…in new American White Oak Barrels…The new American oak barrels allow a truer expression of the tequila to shine through without tainting the flavor with the char of old whiskey.”

A bit sweeter nose than the Blanco, with aromas of Kettle Corn, vanilla icing, dates and figs; and again no burn. The taste was smoother than the Blanco, but spicy on the palate, with background flavors of white pepper, vanilla yogurt and dried citrus fruit – and an even longer finish. Pleasantly quaffable on its own.

Añejo

“Añejo ages for a minimum of 12 months…in new American White Oak Barrels, a twist on traditional aging methods.”

Nose: Vanilla bean ice cream, sweet cream, incense, no pepper or spice and that clean American oak simply resonating throughout. Flavor: Extremely smooth, reminded me of a sweet rye whiskey, pepper and hard butter toffee candy. Extremely pleasant. Made a Añejo Old Fashioned with this one. (Build over ice in a Martini shaker: two ounces Casa Mexico Añejo, one dash aromatic bitters and ½ teaspoon simple syrup or agave. Shake, pour into iced Martini glass, garnish with orange peel.)

From Casa México:

Founded by Mexican-American Eric “Don Buccio” Buccio, Casa México was born from a dream to create a high-quality tequila that celebrates his family’s Mexican heritage and rich traditions while supporting its farmers and creators. The brand is now championed with fellow Mexican-American partners, actor Mario Lopez and boxer Oscar de la Hoya.

Based in Los Angeles, CA, each tequila is crafted from 100% estate-grown blue agave from red volcanic soil in the Los Altos highlands region of Jalisco, Mexico, ensuring the highest quality possible. The tequila is created at Hacienda Capellanía in Jalisco, a farm and distillery boasting more than 100 years of jimador history, including several generations of family farming.

With a deep passion for the traditional distilling process, each of Casa México’s three tequilas are made using a traditional organic process with specific attention to eco-friendly measures. The water used for the distilling process is from a natural underground spring and gray water is repurposed to water the peaches, avocado and other crops grown on the estate. Hacienda Capellanía employs around 50 workers, paying fair wages with full benefits for employees to ensure their community and its families are taken care of.

Casa México Tequila currently boasts a trio of tequilas: Blanco, Reposado and Añejo. The Blanco tequila is a straightforward expression without any aging. The Reposado ages for a minimum of six months and Añejo ages for a minimum of 12 months – both in new American White Oak Barrels, a twist on traditional aging methods. The new American oak barrels allow a truer expression of the tequila to shine through without tainting the flavor with the char of old whiskey.

Casa México Tequila can be found in California, Nevada, Texas, Colorado, Florida, New York, New Jersey, Florida, and Illinois. Distribution and expansion are growing quickly, with several other states in the pipeline including Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Louisiana, Georgia, New Hampshire, and more. Additional national expansion throughout the United States is planned for 2022 and beyond.

Casa México Tequila

New From Smith-Madrone

October 22, 2021 by evebushman

Earlier this year I reviewed the 2017 Chardonnay and Riesling from Smith-Madrone. Eddie and I really liked the wines and my two-bottle review is here if you would like to read it. To give you an idea of how much we appreciated these wines, here was my opening:

When was the last time you tried a new wine from Napa…but wait…let me re-phrase that: When was the last time you had a wine from Napa that you never had before, that has been around since the 1970s, and that you found to be damn good? Well I was what they say “today years old” when I had chance to review three new-to-me wines from Smith-Madrone…

Now it’s time to try the just-released 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon. I was really looking forward to sampling this new vintage, based on what I thought of the two I had already reviewed I hoped it would be just as great. I will share my tasting notes and then the notes from Smith-Madrone:

Eve’s Notes

Lovely bottle with a deep punt, the front label showing Estate Bottled, and the date they were established: 1971. Also made note of the 14.3% alcohol. Then I anxiously got down to the tasting. Noting the color first, it was opaque and reminded me of lush blackberries. After a few swirls I noted layers of blue and black fruit, dried cherries, forest floor, milk chocolate, toasted oak, spice tingling my nose and a very slight menthol/mint. Tasting the wine proved to be exactly what I was looking for: those same layers of both fresh and dried dark fruit, green peppercorns, followed by some spice – this time tingling my tongue – and a very long finish due to the drying tannins. Tried the wine again an hour later with food and it only improved. 94 Eve points indeed.

From Smith Madrone

Aromatically, the 2018 Smith-Madrone Cabernet Sauvignon fills your glass with a magic conjunction of red and black fruit, cedar, graphite and perhaps a hint of cinnamon and nutmeg.

The superb nose is followed by a palate sensation of impressive size, shape and amplitude. The wine is big and beautifully textured, but with such impeccable balance. The structure becomes a dimension in and of itself. The piercing, focused aroma leads to a solid core of dark Cabernet fruit. The wine is a veritable treasure trove of aroma and flavor; it finishes long and strong with moderate fine grain tannins that suggests a long and happy future.

It is often the case that the best older wines were once the best younger wines and we are betting our fifty years of experience that the 2018 Cabernet is further proof of the truth of this wise old adage.

WINE SPECS:

Vintage – 2018

Varietal – Cabernet Sauvignon

Appellation – Spring Mountain District

https://www.smithmadrone.com/

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.

2019’s Craft Producer of the Year Kentucky Peerless Unveils Double Oak Bourbon

October 16, 2021 by evebushman

LOUISVILLE, KY. (PRWEB) – Kentucky Peerless Distilling Company announces the release of their newest whiskey, Peerless Double Oak Bourbon. This expression was born out of necessity, not marketing tactics. Peerless Double Oak Bourbon will be available in Kentucky, California, Illinois, Florida and New York.

Kentucky Peerless started crafting Double Oak whiskies with the original intention of rescuing whiskey from a leaky barrel, losing too much quantity to Angel’s share. When a barrel has a leak that cannot be repaired, the whiskey is transferred into a new charred oak barrel to continue its journey. By exposing the whiskey to a second barrel, the whiskey develops unparalleled complexity as well as a heavy mouthfeel.

The Single Barrel Double Oak whiskies offered in the past at Kentucky Peerless have received overwhelmingly positive feedback, which has led to this release. Master Distiller Caleb Kilburn said: “With the amazing response to our very limited Double Oak program to date, we have decided to improve the quality and accessibility of the product. Where in the past we would leave things up to chance, we are now intentionally curating barrels to become Double Oak.”

Kilburn shares that the tasting notes reflect the characteristics of both barrels, and the dedicated tasting team is looking for prominent grain, fruit and herbaceous characteristics. Kilburn writes the tasting notes, including spicy oak, cinnamon, honey and leather as the more pronounced elements.

Find out more at kentuckypeerless.com or visit the distillery at 120 N. 10th Street in downtown Louisville. The distillery is open for tours and tastings by reservation Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

About Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co.
The Peerless family’s very first bourbon went into a barrel in 1889. They have since revived the craft in their own state-of-the-art distillery in the Bourbon District, where they use the finest ingredients. The Peerless family believes that patience builds character and fine Bourbon and Rye can never be rushed. All under one roof, the select Kentucky Peerless grains are milled, cooked, fermented, double-distilled and barreled as Bourbon and Rye.

2017 Awards
Tricor Braun’s Spirits Division Package of the Year
Small Batch Rye named Top 20 Most Exciting Whiskies of the Year by Whisky Advocate Magazine

2018 Awards
Small Batch Rye named Top 5 Best American Whiskey in Forbes magazine

2019 Awards
“Craft Producer of the Year” for the Americas by Whisky Magazine
“Global Craft Producer of the Year” by Whisky Magazine

2020 Awards
Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon named “Best Kentucky Bourbon” by World Whiskies Awards
Peerless Small Batch Kentucky Straight Rye awarded Category Gold for Rye 12 Years and
Under by Whisky Magazine
Master Distiller Caleb Kilburn was a finalist for best distiller by Whisky Magazine
Peerless was among the 12 final nominees for best distillery tour by Whisky Magazine

2021 Awards
Small Batch Bourbon received 92 points from Wine Enthusiast magazine
Small Batch Rye received 93 points from Wine Enthusiast magazine

For more information, visit kentuckypeerless.com
Contact: Kentucky Peerless Distilling Company
120 North 10th Street, Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 566-4999
Contact@KentuckyPeerless.com
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Vinitaly International Academy USA announces three new Italian Wine Ambassadors in the USA

October 13, 2021 by evebushman

VERONA, ITALY (PRWEB) – On September 15th VIA certified three (3) new Italian Wine Ambassadors. Those newly appointed to join this passionate community are Limor Fikel, Michael Wyant and Enoch Ling. To date, there are now 90 certified Italian Wine Ambassadors and 3 Italian Wine Experts based in USA.

Limor Finkel, a Northern California Sales Manager based in Mill Valley commented, “I’m honored to be a part of the VIA community alongside a group of people so deeply committed to Italian wine, history, and culture. The VIA course was incredibly rigorous and I can’t wait to keep learning from my fellow Italian Wine Ambassadors—hopefully in person soon and on the ground in Italy, too!”

Based in Arlington, Michael Wyant is a Sommelier and Wine Educator with almost 10 years of experience in the wine industry. He also shares his comment, “I’m very excited to be a part of the VinItaly International Academy. The program itself was a deep dive into the world of Italian wine, history and culture with some impressive teachers. The fun part was getting to try hundreds of benchmark Italian wines made from native grape varieties, meeting the winemakers themselves and hearing their stories, and of course meeting fellow students and ambassadors from all over Europe, Asia and the Americas who share a passion for Italian wine.”

Enoch Ling is an Investment Analyst based in Hong Kong and a member of the Knights of Alba, which exposed him to the world of wine on the side of his main profession. He added, “The VIA program provides me with opportunities and resources to explore some hidden gems of Italian wines that can be rarely found in my market. I’m proud to be part of this professional and passionate community as IWA!”

Despite the increasing pandemic condition in the country, Vinitaly International Academy made it possible to hold its 20th edition on September 13th. The Certified Italian Wine Ambassador course was held in three different venues across the United States to join Faculty member Henry Davar IWE as he led the tasting sessions that would act as recap of the theory and preparation for the upcoming exam. Whilst Davar led these sessions live in Boston, he was connected with other participants in Houston and Seattle via Zoom, and of course with the VIA team in Verona. More than 40 wines were sourced by the tasting centres to give students a broad tasting experience, a solid basis for their exam and of course to showcase as many Italian varieties, denominations and producers as possible in two days.

Due to the spread of students, venues in Boston (hosted by Gianluca Quieroli IWA), Houston (Giorgio Caflish IWA) and Seattle (Hayley Black IWE) were selected, and the coordination of materials, wines and session timings began. One of the biggest challenges was building wine lists with as many of the same wines being shown in each venue. As Davar commented, “It’s always worth reminding people that there is a large supporting cast back in Verona that make the Vinitaly International Academy go! Our team is composed of Italian wine lovers, many of whom are VIA certified Italian Wine Ambassadors as well. They truly understand Italian wine and they know how to source truly representative samples for our course. The wines we tasted this past week were especially notable and I think the students and staff at the three tasting centers all remarked about this.”

Fortunately, working with Ambassadors and Experts who are not only familiar with Italian wines, but also the VIA Program, allowed for more than 40 wines to be shown, and suitable wines selected for the blind tasting portion of the examination.

As this 20th Edition has demonstrated, building a strong community not only supports those within it, but also pays dividends in challenging times when it pulls together to aid the cause of Italian wine education. It is an asset not only to those joining the programme, but everyone involved, and VIA will continue to build editions that grow and support this community globally.

Tasting Tequila Codigo 1530 Rosa Blanco

July 30, 2021 by evebushman

During last month’s Nightclub and Bar show in Las Vegas I tasted Tequila Codigo 1530 “Rosa” Blanco. I learned that this particular tequila spends one month in uncharred Napa Cabernet French oak barrels and is the only tequila that has been approved to use a particular cross emblem from the Jalisco state in Mexico, as seen on the front and the bottom of the bottle. The brief tasting, and only knowing some of the stories behind the tequila, made me want to learn and taste more. Before reviewing it in full for Eve Wine 101 readers, I did a little research via their website.

Codigo 1530

Photo from the Nightclub and Bar show, credit: Edward Bushman.

Just going to their website will blow you away as it opens up with a gorgeous short film to learn how this tequila came to be, in three glorious minutes. The family in Jalisco behind it, their water source, the filtering process, organic yeast from a local bakery, no flavoring or chemicals are added and having “the right people…that have been growing agave all of their lives.”

They have five different types of tequila in their line-up – learn more about each of these award-winners via the film and the website. The Rosa is made with their Blanco that benefits from uncharred oak barrels from Napa, aged one month, and gained a beautiful color – and flavor – without any additional additives to make it so.

This recent article on VinePair shares even more interesting information: https://vinepair.com/articles/ntk-codigo-1530-guide/

The Cross

From their Facebook, regarding the cross embossed on their bottles I learned, “…Código 1530 proudly bears the Jerusalem Cross as the symbol of its heritage story. This iconic cross sits atop the Jalisco Coat of Arms and dates back to 1530 when after colonial struggle, Amatitán was officially recognized as a city of New Galicia and Jalisco was given a coat of arms by the Spanish monarchy, which was anchored by the Jerusalem Cross. Código 1530’s name honors ‘Los Códigos’, the old world codes and customs that shaped and still live on in Amatitán and the Los Bajos region to this day. These values are at the core of the proud families who served this tequila in their homes, and the artisan distilling family who has been the custodian of this private tequila for generations.”

The Tasting

After my brief tasting at the show, though I did benefit from having “ Bar Explorer” Collin De Laval (Instagram: @tilting_at_windmills_) there with me, I looked forward to sitting over a tasting and really getting my nose and mouth wrapped around this beautiful tequila. So here you go:

Greeted by the most delicate color of rose gold, and very leggy in my glass, I was ready to search my memory of what the aromas reminded me of and found: sweet cream, cling peaches, dried dark cherries, white chocolate and biscuit. On the palate I was rewarded with tingly flavors of dried red fruits and mixed nuts, with a rich and lingering creaminess coating my palate. Going in for a second sip, and using master mixologist Richard Paterson’s technique of allowing the spirit more time in my mouth before swallowing, I noted that the flavor just got richer and multi-layered. Though there are plenty of cocktails you can make with tequila, this is one I would sip, this is heady stuff.

https://codigo1530.com/