Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/31323
INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT he Woodford Reserve 2011 Kentucky Derby commemora- tive bottle features the artwork of award-winning artist Brett Amory. “The horses—what the Derby is all about—grab you on the bottle,” says Laura Petry, Woodford Reserve Brand Manager. “As a proud supporter of horseracing and the ‘offi cial bourbon of the Kentucky Derby’ for the past 13 years, Woodford Reserve is honored to be a part of the greatest two minutes in sports that takes our breath away every year.” The limited edition liter-size bottle has a suggested retail price of $42.99. Racing News T Digital Drinking J ordan Vineyard & Winery has announced the launch of its winemaker tasting note video series, created for iPad wine lists as well as smart phones. This innovative program includes ready-made videos of winemaker Rob Davis providing taste profi les for specifi c wines, as well as custom video production for key accounts utilizing digital wine lists. Chicago Cut Steakhouse was the fi rst restaurant to premiere a video on its iPad wine lists in February, which features the winemaker discussing 2006 Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon and suggested pairings with signature Chicago Cut dishes. As more restaurants adopt iPads as tools to help sommeliers further enhance the guest experience, the iconic winery has expanded its videog- raphy services to key restaurateurs and retailers. Retailers or restaurateurs seeking additional information may email trade@jordanwinery.com. Tip Top Shelf Tequila A fter fi rst launched in Mexico, Casa Dragones Tequila is loose in the U.S. Bertha González Nieves, the fi rst woman to be recognized as a Maestro Tequilero by the Academia Mexicana de Catadores de Tequila, and MTV founder and serial entrepreneur Bob Pittman are offering the brand at a top-shelf price (you might want to get a ladder . . . ) of $275 per bottle. Offi cially classifi ed as a joven tequila, it’s a brilliant, platinum-white spirit made from 100% blue agave from Jalisco’s Lowlands, grown in the volcanic soils of San Miguel de Allende. The agave is juiced prior to cooking, column- distilled in small batches and blended with a bit of extra-añejo tequila. The color added by the aged tequila is then fi ltered out, leaving only a wisp of a smoky oak note behind.”We wanted to expand the repertoire of the tequila industry,” says González Nieves. —Tim Teichgraeber 1 / the tasting panel / may 201 1 (AVWA) announces that it will host the 14th annual Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival on May 20–22. The grand tasting, again held at Goldeneye Winery, will showcase 40 producers, pouring just one single variety from one appella- tion: Anderson Valley Pinot Noir and Pinot Noir rosés. Visit www. avwines.com, call (707) 895-WINE or email info@avwines.com. Pinot Daze T he Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association PHOTO: JORGE GERA PHOTOGRAPHY