Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/133302
THE MESSAgE Whether THE TASTING PANEL goes to the brand execs or the brands call us, there is an abundance of news to report, from the latest releases to behind-the-scenes experiences with some of the world's most influential importers, winemakers, distillers . . . well, you name it. Brief Encounters We may not have enough pages in each issue to devote as much attention as we would like to each person whose path we cross, but please note that if it's in the publication, we deem it noteworthy —Meridith May, Publisher & Executive Editor PHOTO: MICHAEL BIRCHENALL From Locavore to Locapour with Maryland Wines B PHOTO: MICHAEL BIRCHENALL Wine siblings Lisa, Drew and Ashli Baker of Maryland's Old Westminster Winery. altimore's Tremont Suites Hotel was the site of the fifth annual Drink Local Wine conference held on April 13, co-sponsored by the Maryland Wineries Association. The event promotes American wines produced outside of California, Washington and Oregon (previous conferences were held in Texas, Virginia, Missouri and Colorado.) An afternoon Grand Tasting and Twitter Taste-Off at The Warehouse at Oriole Park at Camden Yards featured more than 40 wines from 22 Maryland producers, including Black Ankle Vineyards, Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard and the state's newest winery, Old Westminster Winery; attendees posted 1,602 Tweets about their grape finds using the hashtag #dlw13. Drink Local Wine co-founder and Washington Post wine columnist Dave McIntyre touted the uptick in quality of local wines across the country—luckily, he admits, as people won't select a wine solely because it's local. And he's been impressed by the increase in popularity of local bottles. "Local wine is no longer the pariah it once was," he explains. "The locavore movement really has spilled over into locapour—slowly among restaurants, but more so among consumers, especially younger ones who are exploring locally without prejudging the wines." —Kelly Magyarics 16 / the tasting panel / june 2013 TP0613_001-41.indd 16 5/23/13 4:24 PM