Archive for February, 2018

Spirits & Wine Award Winners, Top Scoring Products, Beverage Industry Trends and Best Wine and Spirits Lists

Ultimate Cocktails Challenge

Spirits Trend: Swapping Out Whiskey In A Manhattan

The Manhattan is an iconic classic cocktail that any good bartender worth their salt has mastered. Playing with the proportions of whiskey, vermouth, and bitters depending on the specific brands is one way to create a unique and balanced drink. Getting creative with the garnish, using  a house brandied cherry for example, is another way to put your own spin on the drink. With the growing number of bold and pungent spirits that mirror the intensity of whiskey, it’s also become common to substitute in other spirits for a novel twist.

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Ultimate Wine Challenge

Wine Producer: KWV South Africa

Started as a small cooperative of growers in 1918, KWV has become a major pioneer leading the development of South African wines. Timothy Schoener, the United States representative of KWV, elaborates on some of the impressive history of the company:  “...as the country’s first and only wine-and-spirits regulator at the time, KWV was a driving force in supporting, structuring and transforming the South African wine industry – it is safe to say that the [South African] wine industry as we know it today was shaped by KWV and the people who worked in its cellars and walked its passages.”


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Ultimate Cocktails Challenge

Spirits List: 2 Best Vodkas For A Gimlet

A gimlet, made with vodka or gin, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup, is a simple and refreshing cocktail. Since the ingredients are sparse, a spotlight is placed on the quality of the base spirit and its ability to meld with the other ingredients to create the ideal sour. These 2 spirits make the best vodka gimlets, hands down.

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Ultimate Wine Challenge

Wine Score: Garciarevalo Finca Tres Olmos Verdejo

Hailing from the often overlooked region of Rueda, Spain, this stunning Verdejo from Garciarevalo is impressive at 95 Points, winning both a Chairman's Trophy and Great Value award at just $19. Fresh, floral, citrusy aromas permeate the nostrils from the glass. The palate reveals a fuller-bodied Verdejo that loses none of its refreshing qualities, toting flavors of lemon zest, pear, and kiwi. Vibrant acidity sings through the finish and begs for another sip.

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