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INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT Adding to the Family C hopin Vodka, the leading artisanal craft distiller from Poland, has launched SINGLE, a limited series of once-distilled spirits, and DORDA Double Chocolate Liqueur. Chopin SINGLE is a once-distilled selection made from young potatoes rather than traditional late-harvest. Naturally lower in starch, it takes three times as many potatoes to make one batch of SINGLE—the results are highly aromatic, with sweet vanilla and fresh earth bursting on the palate. DORDA Double Chocolate Liqueur is made with Chopin Rye Vodka infused with luxury chocolate from E. Wedel, a Polish chocolate maker founded in 1851. Owned by Tad Dorda, Chopin vodkas are made at the family distillery in Podlasie, Poland. The New Who's Who at Serrallés USA C oming on the heels of the Serrallés USA and Barrows Intense Ginger Liqueur Partnership as the newest edi- tion to the blossoming brand portfolio, Serrallés USA has wasted no time in ratcheting up its sales team with the addition of three seasoned and accom- plished veterans. David Duran has accepted the position of West Regional Sales Manager. Under David, Adam Larson has been tapped as the Southern California Sales Manager with Barclay Webster as Northern California Sales Manager. Vincent Melita was named as East Regional Sales Manager. 16 / the tasting panel / july 2014 Steve Bird. INSIGHTS FROM BEVERAGETRADENETWORK.COM Taking a Brand to the Premium Level A fter completing his degree in Wine Science, Steve Bird started building his career as a winemaker in the New Zealand wine industry with John Hancock at Morton Estate before moving on to Thornbury Vineyards. In 2003, at Thornbury, he was awarded Wine Spectator magazine's highest ever rating (93) for a Sauvignon Blanc. Steve developed the Thornbury brand for close to ten years before selling the label to a bigger company. Soon after, he founded Steve Bird Winery and continued follow- ing his passion for wine making. With a long time focus on the North American market, Steve also has a strong understanding about what it takes to make a brand successful and has helped many producers realize their vintage and market objectives as an international wine consultant. What distribution strategies does Steve Bird focus on and what does it take to make a new brand into a bestselling premium wine label? You can learn the answers to these questions and more in the Beverage Trade Network's interview of Steve Bird, which can be found at www.beveragetradenetwork.com.