The Tasting Panel magazine

January 2016

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122  /  the tasting panel  /  january-february 2016 DOUBLE GOLD COMPETITION TOUR T hroughout the fall of 2015, the San Francisco Competitions Double Gold Tour visited 11 key markets around the country. From the bustling streets of New York City to the sunny shores of San Diego, the Double Gold Tour pro- vided local trade and press a unique opportunity to taste Double Gold–winning wines and spirits from the 2015 San Francisco International Wine Competition and the 2015 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Here is an exclusive glimpse at some of the faces behind the awarded brands! THE SAN FRANCISCO COMPETITIONS DOUBLE GOLD TOUR CONTINUES ITS JOURNEY OF U.S. KEY MARKETS by Nicolette Teo "There is a certain amount of respect and validation that comes with winning big at the largest spirits competi- tion in our industry," says Jamie Spuchesi, Southwest Regional Brand Manager for Woody Creek Vodka, which not only won a Double Gold but also Best Vodka. Woody Creek 100% Potato Vodka from Colorado is made from local potatoes grown and harvested specifically for each batch. Only two other ingredients are added—locally sourced yeast and mountain spring water— before each batch is distilled once in the distillery's own state-of-the-art stills. Editor-in- Chief Anthony Dias Blue gave Wood Creek Vodka a score of 92 points, praising it for its "smooth earthy nose." Noticing a trend that Chardonnay at the $20 price point, while rich in oak and butter, lacked fruit complexity, Oro Bello winemaker Alexandre Remy set out to remedy that with his 2013 Oro Bello Chardonnay from California. "By partially barrel-fermenting the wine [90% in barrels and 10% in stainless-steel tank] and aging the wine on its lees, I was able to raise the fruit complexity of the wine without losing any richness," describes Remy. "Oro Bello means 'beautiful gold' in Italian and I wanted to create a wine that matched that." The result is a $20 Double Gold Chardonnay that is skillfully elegant, with fruit forward notes and well-integrated oak. PHOTO: MONA SHIELD PAYNE PHOTO TAKEN AT BAZAAR MEAT BY JOSÉ ANDRÉS IN THE SLS LAS VEGAS. Let the Gold Times Roll

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