Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/57654
contents PANE L | March 2012 Vol. 70 No. 3 COVER STORY 56 MASTERING PURITY Thomas Kuuttanen Revisits History with Purity Vodka UPFRONT 5 PRAISE THE BAR Amoretti Martini Mix Pledges: "The Whole Fruit and Nothing But the Fruit" FEATURES 67 MIXOLOGIST, MENTOR, MAD SCIENTIST For Milagro Tequila Brand Ambassador Gaston Martinez, Home Is Behind the Bar 67 DEPARTMENTS 10 Industry Spotlight 16 Brief Encounters 20 Intro-Vinous: Mike Trujillo of Sequoia Grove 22 Steven Spurrier's Letter from London 24 Strategies: D.O. Catalunya 26 Scotch Report 28 San Fran Insider 30 Wine Briefs 32 Trade Education: U.S. Drinks Conference 34 A Lone Star Life 36 Brand Profi le: Bottega Wines/ Alexander Grappas 38 Blue Reviews 42 Publisher's Picks 46 Gadd's Sixpack 48 Anniversary: Gerber Group 50 Chef Talk: Sonoma's La Salette 52 Spirits Voyager 54 Workshops: Ribera del Duero 60 Alternative Beverages 61 Nose-ables 64 On Premise Patter: Vermont's Café Provence 66 Comparative Tasting: Argentina 82 Road Trip: Napa Valley 98 Introductions: Château Baccarat 99 Up in the Air with the Hangar One Blimp 100 In the Limelight: Basil Hayden's 101 Beer Adventures: Newcastle Ale 110 Hospitality & the Drink 112 Small Batch: High West Distillery 114 Wine News 115 In the Stars: Business Astrology 116 Line Extensions: Belvedere Lemon Tea 122 Taking Inventory 8 / the tasting panel / march 2012 108 INK AND DRINK A Tattoo Master Gives Tuaca a New Look 118 A CHILEAN WINE AFFAIR Fred Minnick Pens a Love Letter to His New Paramour 70 WENTE VINEYARDS TAKES FRONT AND CENTER WITH INNOVATION There are Advantages to 129 Years of Prescient Winemaking 72 DOWN ON THE FARM Chuck Miller Follows in His Grandfather's Footsteps with The Original Moonshine 74 LUCK OF THE IRISH Whiskey from the Emerald Isle Is a Category That Packs Punch 86 PINOT ON THE RITZ The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay Was a Dream Setting for Our Most Recent SPEED TASTING 104 A PALETTE FOR THE PALATE A Picture of Today's Best Liqueurs PHOTO: GREG POWERS TH E