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12 / the tasting panel / july 2016 INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT Wine and Dine T he Newport Beach Wine & Food Festival returns for a third year September 29 to October 2, 2016, with tickets going on sale Monday, June 20, 2016. This year the Festival is pleased to introduce Taste around Town, a series of exclusive food and wine tasting experiences with celebrity chefs and master sommeliers at intimate restaurant settings in Newport Beach, CA. Taste around Town will take place on Thursday, September 29 and Friday, September 30, followed by the return of critically- acclaimed Daytime Festival on Saturday, October 1 and Sunday, October 2, held at the stunning, mod- chic Newport Beach Civic Center. For more information about the festivals or to buy tickets, go to www.newportwineandfood.com. G lenfiddich has announced Struan Grant Ralph as its new Global Brand Ambassador. Ralph, who was born and raised in Speyside, will bring a wealth of whisky industry experience and creativity from across the world into his new role. Having spent five years as a Glenfiddich Brand Ambassador in the United States and Asia Pacific, Ralph will play a pivotal role in driving the iconic single malt brand forward across the world, particularly in emerging markets. From his first job working at the Knockdhu distillery in Speyside, Ralph went on to achieve a Master's degree in chemistry and a Distinction from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET). His passion for whisky has taken him across the world, where he mastered his trade as bartender and whisky ambassador in locations including Osaka, Manilla, Melbourne and Kuala Lumpur. APPOINTMENTS PHOTO: TIMOTHY MURRAY P acific Highway Wines & Spirits appointed Angela Slade to the role of Vice President, Brand Strategy and Communications for its growing operations. Based in Washington, D.C., Slade will be responsible for leading the portfolio management and all marketing communications for the company, working closely with family wine suppliers from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Chile, California and Oregon. The appointment follows the recent joint-venture ownership agreement by the Oatley family of Australia and the Giesen family of New Zealand, and comes at a time of restructure and growth for the company.