NewsletterMAY 2019

Hamilton Russell Vineyards Scroll to page 5 of this newsletter to see all the tools the marketing department has created for you! PRESS HIGHLIGHTS

Forbes: The Alcohol Professor: Forbes: Sparkling Rosé Wine For Easter What’s the Difference Between Gewurztraminer- Don’t Say It, Meals And Spring Suppers Sustainable, Organic & Biodynamic Just Drink It Wine

{ sommelier summit } Iberian

NeighborsSPAIN AND PORTUGAL COME FACE TO FACE AT THE CULINARY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA’S SOMMELIER SUMMIT IN NAPA

by John Buechsenstein / photos by Alexander Rubin

You’re almost always within reach of a wine region in Spain and Portugal. With their diverse soils and , these neighboring countries share a link that’s readily apparent in their wines. Our panel at the Sommelier Sum- mit, held at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) at Copia in Napa, was moderated by Master Sommelier Bob Bath, who serves as Head Beverage Professor at the CIA at Greystone in St. Helena. Here’s how we connected the dots between the expressions and winemaking styles presented: Decanter: Wine Enthusiast: SOMM Journal 2017 Vintage Port The Loire’s Iberian Neighbors: Spain & Portugal General Declaration Enters a New Era at the CIA Sommelier Summit

TRADE72 { THE SOMM JOURNAL } APRIL/MAY 2019 PRESS SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL WINE & SPIRITS CHALLENGE Podere 2017 • Best Montepulciano • Platinum Brut Blancs de Blancs NV Jorio 2015 • Best of Show • Best Montepluciano • Wine of the Year, Imported • Platinum • Platinum Pecorino Vellodoro 2017 Brut NV • Gold • Platinum Vinsobres Les Cornuds 2018 • Gold RECENT & UPCOMING EVENTS MAY “HOLIDAYS”

Nantucket Food & Wine Festival Warre’s Vintage Declaration Events Another month, another holiday Nantucket, MA 5/16-5/19/19 Chicago, IL 5/7/19 (or a few) that you might not have New York, NY 5/8/19 known about! San Francisco, CA 5/9/19 So this May be sure to celebrate: National Meditteranean Diet Month Wine Spectator Grand Tour National Month Effervescence 2019 Las Vegas, NV 4/27/19 National Barbecue Month Los Angeles, CA 5/3-5/5/19 Chicago, IL 5/2/19 Miami, FL 5/10/19 May 3 Day Vineyard Brands Trade Show May 9 Seattle, WA 5/20/19 Moscato Day May 19 WSLA Drink + Eat 2019 World Baking Day Los Angeles, CA 6/2/19 May 21 Day Somm Con May 28 Washington, D.C. 6/23-25/19 National Hamburger Day

Other dates to note: Westchester Magazine Food & Wine Festival May 5: Cinco de Mayo Westchester, NY 6/4-6/9/19 May 12: Mother’s Day May 27: Memorial Day

Alsace Rocks Chicago, IL 6/10/19 Andrea Boccelli Foundation Dinner Tablas Creek 30th Anniversary Los Angeles, CA 6/16/19 Seminar & Tasting New York, NY 5/20/19

IN-STORE INSPIRATION

Miraval Miraval Zupan’s Market, Oregon Plum Market, Michigan FOOD & WINE CLASSIC IN ASPEN Vineyard Brands is participating in the annual Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, June 14-16.

At the Grand Tastings on Friday, Saturday and Sunday we will be pouring a selection of rosés and sparkling wines including: Miraval 2018, Patelin de Tablas Rosé 2018, The Wolftrap Rosé 2018, Tenuta di Fessina Erse Rosato 2018, La Vieille Ferme Sparkling Brut and Rosé NV, Champagne Delamotte Brut NV and Rosé NV, and Marqués de Cáceres Cava NV.

We are also participating in a variety of seminars throughout the weekend, including Vintage Champagne, Roam the Rhône, The Quality Levels of White Burgundy from Village to Grand Cru, and more!

Vineyard Brands provide the wines for a consumer dinner featuring chefs Rick Bayless and Jason Vincent at the Saint Regis, and hosting both a launch for Salon 2008 with Food & Wine’s Somms of the Year and a Brunch on Sunday. Didier Depond, Giorgio Pasanisi, Luis Burgueño, and Emmanuel Lemoine will also be in town to meet with wine buyers, sommeliers, and journalists. They will also present their wines during the Vineyard Brands Portfolio tastings on June 14. This weekend is jam- packed with opportunities to showcase the breadth and depth of the Vineyard Brands portfolio and we can’t wait! RECENT & UPCOMING PRINT ADVERTISEMENTS

France at its best

La Vieille Ferme the best selling French rosé wine in the USA*

* Nielsen, US Food, 12 weeks W/E 03/26/16 imported by Vineyard Brands I www.vineyardbrands.com © www.noirdevigne.fr

May 31, 2019 June 15, 2019 July 2019

imported by Vineyard Brands • www.vineyardbrands.com The Art of Rosé www.salondelamotte.com

July 2019 October 2019 December 2019 AD + Advertorial AD + Advertorial AD + Advertorial

INTRANET UPDATE

Huge thank you to Dennis Shackett for all his work updating the Intranet! This update introduces a new look, allowing for better managed and more organized content. Dennis created a new “roadmap” detailing changes to the Intranet menu selection. Contact him ([email protected], 205-980-8802 x3233) should you have any questions!

Important note: be sure your browser is upgraded to Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, or Opera. PEBBLE BEACH FOOD & WINE Held April 11th to 14th, Pebble Beach Food & Wine is the premier epicurean lifestyle event on the west coast. Vineyard Brands partcipated in the Grand Tasting, as well as other events including the Chef’s Table Lunch “Bon Vivants d’Epicure.” Champagne Delamotte, Famille Perrin, Domaine Matrot, Miraval, Miles Madeira, François Carillon, and Weinbach all participated in the event.

Famille Perrin Champagne Delamotte Emmanuel Lemoine Alan Gary Domaine Matrot SOPEXA SPRING TO LOIRE TASTING Sopexa held a “Spring to Loire” series of walk around tasting in New York, California, Texas, and Illinois. This 6th annual edition was suppored by Interloire. Vineyard Brands poured wines from our Loire portfolio including Domaine Delaporte, Patient Cottat, Bernier, Château de la Ragotière, Domaine Xavier & Agnès Amirault, and Domaine Pichot.

Audrey Herd-Smith Nicole Roth in NYC in NYC Chicago WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL The 11th Annual New Jersey Wine & Food Festival was held at Crystal Springs Resort April 12-14. Alessandra Angelini from Caparzo was a featured wine maker at the event.

Patrick Bennett & Alessandra Angelini Alessandra Angelini MARKETING POS UPDATES

Miraval Case Sleeves: $67.50. Items come in a 5 pack and CANNOT be broke up. Studio by Miraval DropStop $0.90/piece Studio by Miraval Corkscrew $3.50/piece

MARKETING TOOLS AVAILABLE - CONTACT YOUR GRAPHIC DESIGNER

If you would like one of the materials below as is or customized for a distributor or customer, please reach out to your graphic designer. Sell Sheets & Offerings

GEMS OF STUDIO BY MIRAVAL Winery of the Year, Imported 2019 the Spirit of the French Riviera 2017 TRIAD 2018 vintage

“Golden-tinged straw. Ripe pineapple, orange oil, white flowers and sweet spices on the enticing nose. Then deep, dense and multilayered, STUDIO by Miraval is an homage to the appellation: When August Kesseler took over his parents’ establishment, which was founded in 1924, he was only 19 years old. Traditionally, mostly bulk wine was produced 2018 sublime Mediterranean French Coast and its Les Vins de Méditerranée Indication and the vineyard area was just over six acres. Today, under August’s guidance, the estate has become one of the flagship producers of the Rheingau area and Wine of the Year, Imported displaying superb precision to the spicy citrus fruit and herbal flavors. MÉDITERRANÉE IGP has also acquired a high international reputation. The estate spans 80 acres of vineyards located in some of the best Rheingau sites, such as Assmannshäuser The finish is long and juicy. More fruity than floral but very elegant, this incomparable “Art de Vivre”, with a spotlight Géographique Protégée. JUNGE REBEN Höllenberg, Rüdesheim Berg, Schlossberg, Lorchhäuser Seligmacher, Hattenheimer Wisselbrunnen, and many more. They produce 60% and 40% and are a member of the VDP and the German Barrique-Forum. Max Himstedt is the estate’s most experienced and ambitious winemaker, who pushes Best of Show Sparkling Wine is made from 65-year-old vines planted at mid-slope, which is the best on the grape varietals of the Côte d’Azur forward the production of world-class wines. For several years August Kesseler and especially Max Himstedt have been joined by another ambitious and young part of the Schlossberg Grand Cru.” through its subtle blend of Cinsault, vinification: oenologist, Simon Batarseh. Together with the entire team, Simon will lead the estate into the future. Thus, the course is set to keep producing quality wines at CHAMPAGNE DELAMOTTE the highest level. , Rolle and above all, the All the varieties are vinified by direct pressing, 97 Brut Blanc de Blancs NV iconic maritime grape, Tibouren. with the Cinsault and Tibouren CRITICAL ACCLAIM in stainless steel vats. The Grenache “Over almost four decades, August Kesseler has made a name for himself as a producer of powerful Spätburgunder wines which have done particularly well in the Best Montepulciano The team from Miraval created this new and Rolle are partially vinified in tulip- US. Recent vintages have shown that he can also make a mean Riesling.” 93+ ROSÉ~ GRAPE VARIETIES ~ -Michael Schmidt, JancisRobinson.com 8/25/2015 Rosé from the best plots on the French shaped concrete vats with a rounded bottom. Cinsault, Grenache, Rolle, Tibouren UMANI RONCHI “The 2017 Alsace Grand Cru Furstentum Gewurztraminer is very pure Riviera, surrounded by olive and pine This ovoid shape gives rise to a natural “Not only have the wines never been better, he is without doubt the only winemaker in the Rheingau who shows equal talent with Riesling and Pinot Noir.” 94 Podere 2017 and fresh, with orange blossom aromas on the nose. Rich, lush and trees. STUDIO by Miraval is strongly convection movement that suspends “A blend of 40% each Cinsault and Grenache, plus -Joel Payne, Vinous 9/1/2014 intense on the palate, this is a sweet, very elegant and refined Gewurtz influenced by the sea spray and the the lees, creating the same effect as a 20% Tibouren, the 2018 IGP Mediterranee Rose UMANI RONCHI with a long, intense, highly refined finish.” “Kesseler’s Pinot Noirs are among Germany’s best, sensibly-priced, and worth a try if you see them.” proximity to the Mediterranean Sea, batonnage, and gives the wine body Studio is a medium-bodied, silky-textured addition Jorio 2015 -William Gaffey, The Prince of Pinot 94 giving the wine a unique character and structure. to the Miraval lineup. Lime, tangerine, and and an amazing balance. pineapple all come together in this fruit-forward Platinum tasting notes: offering that’s produced from purchased fruit.” 95 The name of this new wine is Very pale pink color. Nose of CHAMPAGNE DELAMOTTE Brut NV to affirm the attachment of fresh fruit and citrus fruit. Fleshy ••• 94 “A unusually peachy with aromas of jasmine and floral , PINOT Estate | VDP | Up to 80 year old vines from our top parcels in the proprietors to Miraval, palate with notes of citrus and NOIR Assmannshausen | Aged 15 months in French oak of the finest selection making it seem a lot lighter than it really is. This is all thanks to the fresh CHAMPAGNE DELAMOTTE an exceptional site in which white flowers and a long finish Cuvée Max acidity and just a hint of sweetness. A lovely, long and bright mineral creativity flourishes, and that with salinity. 97 Brut Blanc de Blancs NV finish. Drink or hold. Made from biodynamically grown grapes.” hosted international artists, UMANI RONCHI such as Pink Floyd, AC/DC, Estate | VDP | 50 year old vines from our Estate | VDP | 60 year old vines planted in best vineyards in Assmannshausen | PINOT NOIR RIESLING skeletal-rich slate soil | Intense aroma, powerful & 94 Podere 2017 Sade, to record their albums. Aged 12-15 months in French oak Estate Lorcher Schlossberg charming | Vinified in stainless steel points “Alte Reben” 89 UMANI RONCHI Estate | VDP | Very typical, rich Rheingau Jorio 2015 95 Estate | VDP | Steep, southwest-facing RIESLING Riesling from magnificent vineyards in 94 vineyards hand-picked at Spätlese level | Lorch & Rüdesheim Rüdesheim | Hand-picked at Spätlese level | Each Triad consists of one magnum of each of the above 2017 wines packed in a wooden case. Vinified in stainless steel Vinified in stainless steel Gold Estate | VDP | The name says it all: drinkable, approachable, great for FAMILLE PERRIN THE DAILY AUGUST everyday consumption, fair-priced | 4/30/2019 From our new vineyards around 90 Vinsobres Les Cornuds 2016 Riesling, Pinot Noir & Pinot Noir Rosé Erbach | Riesling & Rosé aged in stainless steel | Pinot Noir aged 16 months in 2nd & 3rd use French oak UMANI RONCHI Estate | VDP | From Rheingau RIESLING R 92 Pecorino Vellodoro 2017 #SPIRITOFFRENCHRIVIERA estate vineyards Vineyard Brands | www.vineyardbrands.com | Birmingham, AL WNB6003 Vineyard Brands | www.vineyardbrands.com | Birmingham, AL Vineyard Brands | www.vineyardbrands.com | Birmingham, AL MIR1007 Vineyard Brands | www.vineyardbrands.com | Birmingham, AL KES6002 Vineyard Brands | www.vineyardbrands.com | Birmingham, AL VB144 August Kesseler San Diego International Domaine Weinbach Studio by Miraval Studio by Miraval Gems of August Kesseler Wine & Spirits Challenge Triad Sell Sheet Review Booklets Presentations

Mohua Tablas Creek Vineyard Famille Perrin

WOMEN OF THE VINE

OFFERING VINEYARD BRANDS WINES FROM THE BEST PLACES ON EARTH

Warre’s Vintage Port Studio by Miraval KeyKeg Offering Women of the Vine 2017 “En Primeur”

If you want to add a distributor logo, click on the camera to the left of the bottles and choose the logo on your computer. If you have a PNG file, it will be transparent (you can request PNG photos of your distributor logos from your assigned Graphic Designer if you need them). If you leave this blank, the camera will not show up when you print.

To the right of the bottles is a free text area where you can type your pricing and any other information you deem necessary. If you leave this blank, the box will not show up when you print. To remove the editable functionality (and remove the camera icon and blank text box) for when you send this to someone electronically, follow these instructions: MAC • Select “Print” PC • Click on the “Printer” button in the bottom left corner of the screen • Select “Print” • You may be asked if you want to continue. Click “continue” • For the printer option select “Microsoft Print to PDF” • In the bottom left corner of the next menu click “PDF” • Choose a file name and where you would like it saved • In the dropdown menu select “Save as PDF” • Choose a file name and where you would like it saved

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