Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/931490
50 / the tasting panel / january/february 2018 SPEED TASTING MIAMI'S TOP SOMMS GATHER TO EXPLORE RHÔNE VALLEY VINEYARDS by Lyn Farmer / photos by Benjamin Rusnack A top the gorgeous rooftop of La Côte at The Fontainebleau hotel in Miami Beach, some of Miami's best sommeliers joined The Tasting Panel for lunch and a speed tasting focused on five wines from a region worthy of careful attention: the Rhône Valley Vineyards. The area is the second-largest AOC producing region in France, and the U.S. is the Rhône Valley's largest export market in value. The Rhône Valley Vineyards' official association Inter Rhône has been on a year- long tour of the United States, celebrating the Rhône Valley lifestyle through a series of "Wine O'Clock" events. Each somm and wine buyer had a chance to guess what was in the glass before wine educator Lyn Farmer, CSW, WSET, stepped in to reveal the identity of each wine. Read on for a walk-through of the panel's tasting notes and some background on each corresponding sub-region. The "reveal" behind each wine tasted at the event was led by Daphné Payan, Brand Ambassador for Rhône Valley Vineyards, and wine educator Lyn Farmer. CELEBRATION Seaside Seaside