The Tasting Panel magazine

June 2013

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O n a beautiful April afternoon, the leaders of the Los Angeles spirits community gathered at the Four Seasons Beverly Hills for the first-ever Southern California showcase of the newly-launched Artisanal Group, a specialized sales division within the Southern Wine & Spirits of California portfolio. With a focus on craft and boutique spirits, the Artisanal Group is designed to give a voice to the brands that are changing the face of the industry—one niche at a time. As producers and suppliers gathered to sample their artisan wares, buyers from on- and off-premise accounts gathered to taste, learn and explore craft products ranging from garnishes and mixers, to saké and scotches. "The products in the Artisanal Group are really designed to give the modern bar everything they need," explained Tricia Carr (formerly Alley), Southern California Director of Mixology for Southern Wine & Spirits, and the woman whose passion for education about handcrafted spirits will lead the Artisanal Group's outreach on-premise. "Bars and bartenders are continually moving more toward the artisanal, boutique segment, and with so many amazing products to choose from, why not? Today is about giving these brands a chance to shine." Chimes in Tim Hirota, Director of the Artisanal Group in Southern California, "There are some really important things happening here today. First, the craft spirit community on the customer side is a very precise group. Events like this connect the right brands with the right buyers, offering the brands an opportunity to speak for themselves. Secondly, we feel that it is important to show the craft spirit and cocktail communities that we are listening to them: They've been the ones pushing the craft movement forward, and Southern Wine & Spirits of California is proud to support the products today's industry leaders love." The showcase was also an opportunity for the higher-ups at Southern to interact face-to-face with the brands and customers, with the likes of California EVP Jack Brennan and James Bradney, VP GM, Southern California, walking the room to show support for small-yet-mighty contingent of brands that are helping to shape the distributor's future. As the "hostess" of the launch party, Tricia Carr (formerly Alley) was a tough woman to pin down: From acting as a live demonstrator in a beer cocktail seminar, to visiting each supplier's table to taste and talk, Carr was the belle of the ball. "I'm sure you're getting a lot of requests for beer cocktails these days, commented Carr. "They're super popular!" Carr " whipped up a Beer Old Fashioned using Port Town Brewing Pilsner and Whistlepig Rye. "Beer cocktails are so fun because you can actually use the spirit as a modifier, and here, I think the pilsner really called for that strong rye character. " Domaine Select Wine Estates' West Coast Brand Manager, Natalie Bovis, joined Jon Newlon, Vice President-GM, American Wine & Spirits, and Audrey Fort, Portfolio Director for EuroWineGate Brands. Bovis and Fort were quick to explain that grapes are front and center in the Domaine Select spirit portfolio. From G'Vine Gin, crafted in France from Ugni Blanc grapes, to Excellia Tequila, made with a winemaking philosophy, these complex spirits offer a meeting of cultures and styles. "Excellia represents a true meeting of two worlds: Mexico and France, grapes and agave," said Fort, who mentioned that the tequila is also aged in grand cru Sauternes wine casks and in coganc barrels. "It's our crazy idea, but the collaboration works." june 2013  /  the tasting panel  /  115 TP0613_080-119.indd 115 5/23/13 5:31 PM

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