The Tasting Panel magazine

AUGUST 2011

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WHAT WE’RE DRinKinG A 70th Anniversary Tribute T The Long Dollar Ask Chef Scott Conant what his strongest talent is, and he’ll tell you “I hire well.” There’s no better example of this than his recent draft- ing of Paolo Barbieri, M.S. to lead the wine program of Conant’s Scarpetta and D.O.C.G. both in The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas resort. While Barbieri admits the venues present a significant shift from his last position at the now-shuttered two-star Michelin Restaurant Alex, the native Roman is visibly energized at the prospect of returning to a dominantly Italian list (previous to Alex, Barbieri opened corks at Le Cirque and Osteria di Circo at Bellagio, alongside current Scarpetta GM Antonello Paganuzzi). “Price doesn’t mean quality necessarily,” Barbieri tells THE TASTING PANEL over a gorgeous glass of Brunello. “In Italy you can find tons of quality wine in the $60-to-120 range. You can have in an inexpen- sive Vermentino from Sicily that goes great with seafood . . . ” but, he adds, “you’ve got to do the research. You’ve got to work more. People are very aware of what they’re drinking now.” Planning to virtually double the opening inventory of Scarpetta Las Vegas and its casual sister D.O.C.G., Barbieri takes an admirably democratic, and enviably bullish, attitude. “My job is to please the customer, no matter what he drinks—a $50 bottle or an $800 bottle. We’re looking for the long dollar.” —E. C. Gladstone 0 / the tasting panel / august 201 1 Las Vegas wine leader Paolo Barbieri of Scarpetta and D.O.C.G. at the Cosmopolitan. his year marks the 70th anniversary of the year Don Julio González began perfecting the art of tequila-making. Demonstrating Don Julio’s continuing commitment to being a leader in the tequila industry, his was the inspira- tion for the original “añejo claro” tequila, a style that combines añejo flavors with the fresh agave flavor and silver color from an un-aged blanco tequila. Today, Don Julio González’s hand-selected succcessor, Master Distiller Enrique de Colsa, is continuing the legacy of innovation by producing a unique tequila to honor the original “Don” of Tequila. Tequila Don Julio 70 is a new añejo that is specially filtered to bring back the bold agave flavor typically found in a blanco. “With a smooth and light character, opening with citrus notes similar to that of a blanco tequila, yet exhibiting the notes of vanilla, wild honey and sweet toasted oak found in a quality añejo, Tequila Don Julio 70 combines my favorite characteristics from both tequila varieties,” says de Colsa of his special reserve Añejo Claro. Tequila Don Julio 70 will be available this fall from Diageo North America with a suggested retail price of $70. Watch for more on Don Julio 70 in our next issue!

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