Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1399
14 / the tasting panel / july 2009 The Message Brief Encounters 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 infl uential importers, winemakers, distillers . . . well, you name it. 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 A nnika Sorenstam, one of the most celebrated female golfers in history, launched her namesake wine brand this spring in partnership with Wente Vineyards with the release of her Syrah, ANNIKA. The wine is comprised of 75% Livermore Valley Syrah, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley and, fi ttingly, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Wente Livermore Valley Golf Vineyard. Sorens- tam worked closely with fi fth-generation Winemaker Karl Wente to hand-select vineyard sites. "I really enjoyed the blending process with Karl, as we are both per- fectionists. I am very excited about our end product," offers Sorens- tam. www.annikavineyards.com This Wine Should Par Well (with food) P aul Karcho, owner of The Wine Bank on 5th Avenue in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter, says that he can hardly keep Clase Azul tequila on his shelves. Intrigued, I headed down to The Wine Bank, where I met with Karcho and im- mediately discovered the secret to his booming sales. He has dedicated two walls and an entire storefront window to displaying Clase Azul. "When a product is this good, it's easy to get behind it," he explains. It's obvious from Karcho's fl oor-to-ceiling displays that Clase Azul is a product he loves. "Clase Azul drinks like a fi ne cognac; it's a sipping tequila," he says, adding that it's his goal to make The Wine Bank a destination stop for visitors to San Diego. "We want to introduce our customers to products that they may not fi nd every- where." —Amy K. Fellows Paul Karcho of San Diego's Wine Bank. Bank on It PHOTO: AMY K. FELLOWS Pro golfer Annika Sorenstam with her new Syrah.