Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/597666
74 / the tasting panel / november 2015 COVER STORY Francisco International Wine Competition. Not to mention that the Barossa Valley Estate 2012 Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre (GSM) has won Gold Medal at the Sydney International Wine Competition and has received 93 points by Natalie MacLean, Canada's foremost wine critic. The accolades come as no surprise, though; these are well-made wines. Several traditional and modern winemaking and viticulture techniques are employed: the use of heritage clones—some of them over 60 years old—12 months in 225-liter medium-toast French oak barrels, and temperature controlled fermentation lasting up to seven days, just to name a few. Waples says: "We are seen as innovative in our viticulture and trellising, which creates freshness of fruit and vibrancy of flavor. We are not seeking brooding concen- trated wines with port-like aromas. It all comes back to creating elegant and expressive varietal wines for today's modern consumer lifestyle." A Great Track Record Even with BVE's high level of winemaking, international recognition and an extraordinary heritage, you still need a good game plan. After all, the only cer- tainty in today's wine market is that consumer behavior is changing. To develop an effective marketing strategy requires a real understanding of a consumer's needs and habits, and no one understands this better than Delegat. They've got the track record to prove it. Ever heard of Oyster Bay? You very likely have, because Oyster Bay remains the number one New Zealand wine brand in a number of markets, including California, New York, Massachusetts, Miami and Colorado as well as in the United Kingdom. Oyster Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc also remains in today's top five white wines over $10 by value. Joe Gardner, Vice President, Fine Wine, Republic National Distributing Co., and Peter Edgar, Vice President, Delegat USA Inc., at a tasting event for Barossa Valley Estate in Park City, Utah. PHOTO: CHAD KIRKLAND It's not just the hard data that speaks highly of Delegat. Joe Gardner, Vice President of Fine Wine for Republic National Distribution Co., says, "When Delegat met with us about a year ago, two things occurred to me. One, we were familiar with BVE and we realized the pedigree, so that was a given. The second thing was that we knew Delegat had the ability to take a product to mar- ket, and we witnessed it being a partner with them in 17 States over the course of the Oyster Bay success story. They know how to bring a product to market in very simplistic and effective ways." Steve Slater, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Wine Division for Southern Wine & Spirits of America, seems to share a very similar sentiment. "I said to them, 'Look, you have the name Barossa Valley Estate, which is quite unique; it'd be like own- ing a winery called Napa Valley Estate. I know that you're going to bring your great sales team and great winemak- ing team so it's set up to win.' What I like about Delegat is that they have