The Tasting Panel magazine

May 2014

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30  /  the tasting panel  /  may 2014 W hether or not you like pork, you know you love Pinot Noir. Charlie Palmer's Pigs & Pinot sailed high above the expectations of palatable pleasantries and into a world of behind-the-scenes, elbow-to-elbow dining with celebrity chefs, heralded winemakers and Master Sommeliers. The ninth annual event, held at Hotel Healdsburg and Dry Creek Kitchen in downtown Healdsburg, CA in mid-March, sold out in four minutes, making this wine connoisseurs paradise weekend all the more priceless. As one of three judges for the Pinot Cup (along with Master Sommelier Michael Jordan and wine. com's Wilfred Wong, I was honored to join the fray and blind taste through 60 handpicked Pinot Noirs for the 2014 Pinot Cup. In first place was MacPhail 2010 "The Flyer," Russian River Valley and Pinot Cup runner-up was Twomey 2011 Bien Nacido Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley. On an entirely different note, the Ultimate Sommelier Smackdown was part seminar, part comedy show. Four Master Sommeliers—Fred Dame, Keith Goldston, Drew Hendricks and Michael Jordan—each entered his personal selection of four Pinot Noirs from around the world and then "pitched" the audience on why their wine choices were the best. Four rounds of pleas later, Smackdown King Keith Goldston won for two of his selected Sonoma Coast wines. The winning wine was Soliste 2010 Forêt Vineyard, Sonoma Coast and runner-up was Trombetta 2011 Gap's Crown, Sonoma Coast. All net proceeds for the event benefit Share Our Strength's "No Kid Hungry" campaign to end childhood hunger in America. Last year, the event raised over $130,000 and this year looked as promising. EVENT RECAP When Pork Meets Pinot Noir by Meridith May / photos by George Rose 30 /  the tasting panel  / may 2014 W above the expectations of palatable pleasantries and and Master Sommeliers. and Dry Creek Kitchen in downtown Healdsburg, CA in mid-March, sold out in four minutes, making Sommelier Smackdown was part seminar, part comedy show. Four Master Sommeliers—Fred Dame, Keith Goldston, Drew Hendricks and Michael Jordan—each entered his personal selection of four Pinot Noirs from around the world and then "pitched" the audience on why their wine choices were the best. Four rounds of pleas later, Smackdown King Keith Goldston won for two of his selected Sonoma Coast wines. The winning wine was Sonoma Coast All net proceeds for the event benefit Share Our Strength's "No Kid Hungry" campaign to end childhood hunger in America. Last year, the event raised over $130,000 and this year looked as promising. At the 9th Annual Pigs & Pinot event in Healdsburg: Michael Jordan, MS; David Duncan of Twomey Cellars with his award; Chef Charlie Palmer; Winemaker and event host Daryl Groom; and THE TASTING PANEL's Meridith May. Pinot Cup Winner Kerry MacPhail of MacPhail Vineyards. Pinot Cup winner MacPhail 2010 "The Flyer," Russian River Valley and Pinot Cup runner-up Twomey 2011 Bien Nacido Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley. PHOTO: GEORGE ROSE TP0514_001-33.indd 30 4/24/14 10:44 PM

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