Defies Convention Palacios, Chief Winemaker of Bodegas Faustino in Rioja Alavesa, Spain
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OCTOBER 2018 • $6.95 Rioja’sNEWFOUND EDGE AFTER MORE THAN 150 YEARS OF PRODUCTION, FAUSTINO Rafael Martínez Defies Convention Palacios, Chief Winemaker of Bodegas Faustino in Rioja Alavesa, Spain. TP1018_001-31_KNV5.indd 1 RIOJA’S 10/1/18 6:29 PM NEWFOUND tastingpanel TP1018_001-31_KNV5.indd 2 10/1/18 6:29 PM tastingTHE panel tastingpanel MAGAZINE October 2018 • Vol. 76 No. 9 editor in chief publisher / editorial director vp / associate publisher managing editor Anthony Dias Blue Meridith May Rachel Burkons Jesse Hom-Dawson [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 818-990-0350 CONTRIBUTORS senior design director Michael Viggiano [email protected] Erica Bartel, Kim Beto, Brandon Boghosian, Randy Caparoso, Madelyn vp, sales and marketing Gagnon, Albert Letizia, Michelle Metter, Jennifer Olson, Alexander [email protected] Rubin, Benjamin Rusnak, Grace Stufkosky, James Tran, Paul Van Hoy Bill Brandel senior wine editor Published eleven times a year Jessie Birschbach [email protected] ISSN# 2153-0122 USPS 476-430 senior editor Chairman/CEO: Anthony Dias Blue Kate Newton [email protected] President/COO: Meridith May special projects editor Subscription Rate: $36 One Year; $60 Two Years; Single Copy: $6.95 David Gadd [email protected] For all subscriptions, email: [email protected] Periodicals Postage Paid at Van Nuys and at additional mailing offices east coast editor David Ransom Devoted to the interests and welfare of United States restaurant and retail store licensees, wholesalers, rocky mountain editor importers and manufacturers in the beverage industry. Ruth Tobias POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Tasting Panel Magazine features editor 6345 Balboa Blvd; Ste 111, Encino, California 91316, Michelle Ball 818-990-0350 editor-at-large Cliff Rames STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP wine country editor The Material in each issue of The Tasting Panel Magazine is protected Chris Sawyer by U.S. Copyright © 2018 vp / finance director USPS Publication Number: 0476-430 Anna Russell [email protected] Filing Date: September 13, 2018 Published: 11x a year spirits editor Annual Subscription Rate: $36. Mailing address: 6345 Balboa Blvd; Ste 111, Bldg 1, Encino, CA 91316 Mara Marski [email protected] Phone: 818-990-0350 Contact: Meridith May, Publisher administrative assistant Email: [email protected] Sierra Doxey Total copies run: 76,407. Outside County Paid/Requested: contributing editors 14,636. In-County Paid/Requested: 14,440. Sales through dealers Mitch Bechard, Ian Buxton, Emily Coleman, and carriers: 10,000. Distributed by other mail carriers and through USPS: 4875. Total Paid or requested: 43,951. Outside Richard Carleton Hacker, Matt Jackson, Kelly Magyarics, County non-requested: 6700. In County non-requested: 5356. Lori Moffatt, Merrill Shindler Non-requested copies distributed through USPS by other classes of mail: 6000. Non-requested copies distributed outside the mail: 6200. Non-requested copies distributed outside the mail: 6200. Total non-requested circulation: 18,056. Copies not ©2018 The Tasting Panel Magazine. All rights reserved. distributed: 2000. Total distribution: 70,207. Percent paid/or Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. requested: 64%. october 2018 / the tasting panel / 3 TP1018_001-31_KNV5.indd 3 10/1/18 6:29 PM Disaronno’s latest partnership for its ICON bottle program is with Italian fashion label Trussardi. ETERNALLY Stylish DISARONNO’S ICON PROGRAM PROVES THE LIQUEUR NEVER GOES OUT OF FASHION 4 / the tasting panel / october 2018 TP1018_001-31_KNV5.indd 4 10/1/18 6:29 PM Bartender Daniel Kocsis mixes up Disaronno-based cocktails at Beaker & Gray in Miami, FL. by Matt Jackson / photos by Benjamin Rusnak In the case of Disaronno, one of the how the excitement around the ICON bottle program spirit industry’s oldest brands, age and relevancy go continues to grow every year.” hand in hand: Still owned and operated by the Reina Disaronno Amaretto is obviously well-known as an family, whose forebearers created the liqueur in Italian wintertime sipper, but its popularity regardless 1525, the company manages to maintain its small- of season remains both impressive and commendable. business feel despite its presence in more than 160 “Disaronno is very versatile and can be mixed in all countries worldwide. sorts of cocktails, from tiki-style drinks to twists on Disaronno employs just 13 brand ambassadors classics. It also complements many different spirits internationally, four of whom cover the U.S. market. from whiskies to mezcals,” Hirsch explains. “What I Among them is Miami-based Matt Hirsch, who shares like most about the various Disaronno Sour variations his passion for the luxurious liqueur with his close-knit is how refreshing they are. That refreshment is key in team. “Almost weekly we discuss what we are doing a place like Miami that offers summer all year long.” in each of our territories, including new ideas, trends, and innovations, in addition to sharing new cocktail Mixing Italian Sensibilities recipes,” he says. Miami bartender Daniel Kocsis also knows a thing or Just because Disaronno has been around for 500 two about Italian culture, despite being born and raised years doesn’t mean it can’t be on the cutting edge— a few hundred miles to the northeast. “I grew up in even when it comes to seemingly unrelated fields like Hungary, but at home Italian dishes were way more fashion. Five years ago, the company launched the popular than Hungarian ones,” Kocsis explains. “My ICON bottle program, inviting leading Italian fashion stepmom was always looking up classic Italian dishes brands to design limited-edition holiday bottles meant and desserts.” He now incorporates these sensibilities to highlight Italian luxury. Past powerhouse partner- into his approach to mixology at Beaker & Gray, a hip ships with Versace, Missoni, and Roberto Cavalli new hot spot in the city’s Wynwood neighborhood. dazzled both old and new fans of the liqueur, and this Kocsis recently crafted two original cocktails featur- year, Disaronno has partnered with the bold Trussardi ing Disaronno that he plans to showcase in the upcom- brand—itself more than a century old. In addition to ing ICON gift set flutes. The first, the Emma Morano, the limited-edition bottle, the holiday gift set will also serves as a riff on a traditional sour by highlighting the include a pair of elegant champagne flutes. liqueur alongside Italian apéritif Zucca (a member of “Our bottle is already one of the most iconic in the the Disaronno International portfolio), apricot liqueur, business and this program takes it to another level,” orgeat, lemon juice, and Prosecco. Served up with a Hirsch says. “This year, the Trussardi bottle is abso- thyme sprig, this light and airy libation immediately lutely stunning with its contemporary luxury design. I transports patrons’ taste buds to the cobblestone couldn’t be more excited about how it turned out and streets of Milan. Meanwhile, the second libation, october 2018 / the tasting panel / 5 TP1018_001-31_KNV5.indd 5 10/1/18 6:29 PM named Solo Pesce, melds Disaronno with strawberry, basil, Prosecco, and Cocci Americano for an unexpectedly delicious combination. Beaker & Gray’s menu of sharable plates—many of which feature locally LIMITED EDITION designed by Trussardi sourced ingredients—is also well-suited to Kocsis’ Disaronno-based cocktails. “Because of Disaronno’s lower ABV, slight bitterness, rounded sweetness, and delicious, nutty flavor, it plays well with so many of our dishes,” Kocsis says. Even though Disaronno has kept a close eye on the shifting demographics of its consumers over the years, it’s an unin- hibited willingness to try new things that this age-old company currently targets. “We want consumers who are most likely to go out regularly, drink quality brands, share their knowledge with others, and be open to experimenting with new cocktails,” Hirsch says. Kocsis agrees: Based in Miami, FL, Matt Hirsch serves as one of Disaronno’s U.S. ambas- “I serve a lot of guests who are actually sadors. Find him on Instagram at @MisterHirsch or follow the hashtag hungry for more knowledge in spirits, #DisaronnoWearsTrussardi to learn more about the brand’s ICON program. liqueurs, and cocktail culture. Being able to provide that knowledge is one of the things that helps me succeed as a bartender,” he adds. Beyond the inventive ICON program, Disaronno’s team continues to push the Emma Morano Solo Pesce envelope when it comes to the brand’s Created by Daniel Kocsis Created by Daniel Kocsis overall awareness of and involvement ◗ 1 oz. Disaronno ◗ 1.5 oz. Disaronno in cocktail culture. Its new video series, ◗ ◗ The Mixing Star: Innovation Hunter, 1 oz. Prosecco 1 oz. Cocchi Americano aims to showcase global bartenders ◗ ¼ oz. Zucca ◗ 1.5 oz. Prosecco and their cutting-edge cocktails, ◗ ¼ oz. apricot liqueur ◗ ¼ oz. olive oil while spinoff The Mixing Star: Bar ◗ ¾ oz. orgeat ◗ 1 strawberry Tag—launched at this year’s Tales of ◗ ¼ oz. lemon juice ◗ 1 lemon wedge the Cocktail—challenges two leading ◗ ½ oz. heavy cream ◗ 2 basil leaves bartenders to swap roles by working ◗ ½ oz. egg white ◗ Pinch of salt in each other’s bars and inspiring new Serve in a flute glass Serve in a flute glass ideas among their peers. and garnish with a and garnish with a basil “We fly a top bartender from Milan to thyme sprig. leaf and lemon twist. London, then take a top bartender from London and fly them here to Miami and so on, like a global game of bartender tag,” Hirsch explains. “Each event is unique and special with some amazing knowledge Kocsis’ Solo being shared along the way.” With nearly Pesce cocktail five centuries of tradition and innovation is a refresh- ITALIAN SPARKLER at work, there seems to be no limit to ing libation Disaronno’s universal reach. featuring 2 OZ PROSECCO, 1.5 OZ DISARONNO Disaronno For more on this year’s ICON that’s ideal 1 OZ LEMON JUICE, 0.5 OZ SIMPLE SYRUP program, view the hashtag for Miami’s #DisaronnoWearsTrussardi on year-round social media and follow Disaronno summer Brand Ambassador Matt Hirsch on weather.