Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/61075
contents PANE L | April 2012 Vol. 70 No. 4 COVER STORY 56 FERGIE FLIRTS WITH THE DELICIOUS SIDE OF LIGHT Our Love Affair with Voli UP FRONT 5 KARLSSON'S GOLD A Vodka Legend Is About to Change the Game Again FEATURES 90 DEPARTMENTS 10 Industry Spotlight 16 Brief Encounters 22 Steven Spurrier's Letter from London 24 Scotch Report 26 Small Batch with Fred Minnick 28 San Fran Insider 30 Chef Talk: Michel Richard 32 Festivals 34 Alternative Beverages and More 35 Guest Sommelier: Eric Espuny 36 In the Stars: Business Astrology 38 Merrill Shindler's Word of Mouth 40 Global Drinking 42 Blue Reviews 46 Publisher's Picks 48 Vegas: Michael Shetler at ARIA 50 Livermore Valley & Karl's Korner 54 Hot Property: Caesars Palace 8 / the tasting panel / april 2012 60 Anniversary: Simi Winery 62 Sipped & Scene 73 Distributor Honors: The 4th Annual Wente Legacy Awards 80 Cellar Focus: Oregon Pinot Noir 84 Personalities: Violet Grgich 88 What We're Reading 100 Overseas Business: China 96 Hospitality & the Drink 98 Who's Who: Memphis 100 Tales of the Cocktail 110 A Lone Star Life: Special Report 113 Competitions: Hangar One 114 Appellations: Fort Ross–Seaview 116 Causes: Belvedere (Red) 120 South Beach: Amstel Burger Bash 121 In the House: The Ranch 122 Wine Briefs 130 Taking Inventory 52 TREND-SPOTTING IN NEW ZEALAND "The Land of the Long White Cloud" Moves Beyond Sauvignon Blanc 65 PROOF POSITIVE With or Without the e, North American Whisk(e)y Is Riding High 78 GOING COASTAL SeaGlass Is a Wine for Those with the Ocean in Their Souls 86 THE LEGEND OF SIMON FORD Why Pernod Ricard's Brand Educator is the Most Important Man in the Room 90 THE SINGLE MALT FANATIC The Balvenie Brand Ambassador Nicholas Pollacchi Combines Style with Passion 102 TEQUILA KINGPINS Twelve Top Artisan Tequila Brands (and One Mezcal!) Aim for a Strike with a Deconstruct- ed Margarita that Puts the Spirit First 118 MIAMI ADVICE South-of-the-Border Spice and Amoretti Blood Orange Syrup Make a Fashion-Forward Cocktail with a Touch of the Devil 125 PERCENTS OF INTEREST In Search of the Elusive Blended Wine TH E