Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/46939
INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT . . . And Wild Blueberries from Maine L aunching its fi fth fl avor, California handcrafted vodka Hangar One introduces Maine Wild Blueberry. From small farms in eastern Maine, the fresh blueberry juice is blended with the hand- distilled vodka in small batches. From Proximo Spirits, it has an SRP of $35. Appointments Michael Ireland. Michael Ireland is the Wine Director for Meadowood Napa Valley for the resort's three Michelin-starred Restaurant at Meadowood. In 2006, Ireland moved to Napa Valley and joined The French Laundry as Sommelier. He later joined Quince as Head Sommelier. Most recently, Ireland was Sommelier of Benu in San Francisco, where he received rave reviews from San Francisco Chronicle restaurant critic Michael Bauer. Currently a Master Sommelier candidate with the Court of Master Sommeliers, he is an Advanced Certifi ed Wine Professional through the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone and was the recipient of the inaugural Bordeaux Scholarship from the Guild of Sommeliers in 2010. New Wine from "Edoardo" Lauber T here are many stories circulating about Ed Lauber (Lauber Imports was purchased by Southern Wine & Spirits in 2005) in the wine world, but none so compelling as Ed's new per- sona. For 28 years, Ed, now known as Edoardo, imported wine from Cantina Zaccagnini, known for its famous "twig on the bottle" Montepulciano d'Abruzzo. Ed did such a good job with Zaccagnini that the company decided to re-plant thirteen acres, with Edoardo's help, in 2005 and named the plot after him, thus creating a new brand, Vigneto Edoardo. In 2008, the grapes were ready to harvest. Edoardo fl ew to Abruzzo, did the analysis, did the punch downs and watched sugar levels drop while alcohol levels increased. The wine was put into new French oak and aged for two years. Now the newest cult classic wine is born, ready for export to the U.S. Imported by Wine Unlimited; $35. —Philip Kampe 12 / the tasting panel / november 201 1 Jacob Appelsmith. The California State Senate has confi rmed Jacob Appelsmith as Director of the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. "I am honored the Senate has approved my appointment," said Appelsmith. In 2008, Appelsmith was promoted to Special Assistant to then Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. on matters pertaining to law enforcement, and was also appointed Chief of the California Bureau of Gambling Control. Appelsmith oversees ABC, which is responsible for the administration, licensing and regulation of businesses that manufacture, distribute and sell alcoholic beverages in California. In addition, Appelsmith is also a Senior Advisor to the Governor. Doug Krenik, MS. Loosen Bros. USA, the U.S. import company owned by Ernst Loosen of Germany's Dr. Loosen estate, has appointed Doug Krenik, MS to be Director of Sales. In this newly created position, Doug will oversee sales planning, programming and brand management for the select group of exclusive producers in the company's small but growing portfolio. In addition, he will be directly responsible for developing relationships with national on-premise accounts. Heineken USA announced the appointment of two new senior leaders. Nick Lake has been appointed as the company's new Senior Director, Category Management. Lake will report to Steve Ward, Vice President of National Accounts. Monique Acevedo has been appointed as Vice President of Innovation. Acevedo will act as a member of the market- ing leadership team and report directly to Lesya Lesyj, Chief Marketing Offi cer.