Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/818616
may 2017 / the tasting panel / 7 We restaurant and bar folk don't often celebrate our weekends on the traditional "Saturday and Sunday" schedule, and holidays more often than not find us slinging beverages to our guests who are enjoying their days off. However, I firmly believe (after years in the restaurant industry) that no one has more fun on their days off than members of the wine and spirits community. Plus, there are usually delicious libations involved in these moments of recreation and relaxation. With the arrival of the Callie Collection of Central Coast wines, the day-off game has been elevated to a new level of palate pleasure. Callie's sleek package and delightful blends are sure to be the perfect comple- ment to any event—be it girl's night in, a day by the pool or catching your favorite outdoor concert or movie. These are "wines that are made for moments that stop time," notes Callie Collection Marketing Manager Marissa Glennon. "The Callie Collection was created to be effort- lessly enjoyed, for those special moments with friends, and we're thrilled to offer our Callie Crew a truly unique and easy drinking experience with the innovative re-sealable Helix cork closure." With three offerings in its portfolio— Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and a Fresh Red Blend—Callie Collection wines accentuate the beautiful aromas and distinct fresh flavors of California's Central Coast, where the fruit is sourced. And with an SRP that falls under $14, the wines of the Callie Collection are poised to become the bever- age professional's favorite day-off sipper. Pretty, and Smart Developed by Amorim and O-I, the world leaders in cork and glass packaging, the Helix closure is a twist-to-open concept that combines an ergonom- ically-designed cork stopper supplied by Portocork America and a glass bottle with an internal thread in the neck, creating a high-performing and user-friendly wine packaging solution. Helix combines all the benefits of cork and glass—quality, sustainability and premium image—with twist-open, re-sealable convenience. We were able to sit down with Carlos De Jesus of the Amorim Group to discuss the birth and development of the innovative Helix closure. The Tasting Panel Magazine: First off, congrats on the launch of the Helix closure in conjunction with the Callie Collection. What was the inspiration for the invention of the Helix closure? Carlos De Jesus: Thank you. A few important social and demographic trends caught our atten- tion during our innovation forums. Convenience is a large factor and important trigger for wine consumption. Secondly, average households are getting smaller; we may not enjoy the thought, but, as a result, fractionated consumption will increase. Helix addresses both issues while still giving wine consumers all the key wine packaging attributes for which they are willing to pay a significant premium. TPM: How do you see the Helix closure reinventing the way the wine industry looks at packaging? CDJ: Just like in any other industry, packaging plays a fundamental role in creating value for both wine producers and retailers. Natural cork has a crucial contribution to this because American wine consumers know very well what they prefer when it comes to closures. They place a robust premium in this sustainable, reliable and high-end combination of a good glass bottle with a good natural cork. That unmistakable "pop" is one of the world's most distinctive—and happy—sounds, and that value is known very well by the wine trade. Until now, consumers would have to sacrifice convenience to possess this luxury. With Helix—the most important wine packaging innovation this side of the 21st century—wine brands can now offer the unbeatable technical, environmental and premium attributes of glass and cork with the added convenience of easy-to-open and easy-to-reseal capabilities. TPM: The Callie Collection seems to be a natural pairing with the Helix closure. What has the experience been like in developing this brand as the vehicle for this invention from Amorim and O-I? CDJ: Indeed, Callie and Helix is a natural pairing, so we all feel very fortunate to have been selected by Constellation to provide the packaging for a wine that captures consumers' demand for brands that deliver quality, sustainability and a premium image. With Callie checking all these boxes, Constellation has signifi- cantly raised the bar. user-friendly benefits premium PHOTO COURTESY OF AMORIM GROUP With their innovative Helix closure, Callie Collection wines offer the sophistica- tion of a cork closure while eliminating the need for a corkscrew with Helix's new twist-to-open, twist-to- close technology. Carlos De Jesus of the Amorim. PHOTO COURTESY OF AMORIM GROUP