The “Sangrita” was born in Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico almost 60 years ago. Mr. Edmundo Sánchez was the owner of a restaurant in the tourist area of Chapala. He and his wife were known for serving delicious dishes and strong homemade tequila. To disguise the strong taste of tequila, Mr. Sánchez began mixing slices of fresh oranges, salt and powdered red chili.  The recipe became a popular drink and history took its course. Today, commonly served Sangritas are not close to the original recipe.  Some Sangritas may call for tomatoes, chilies and limes mixed with tequila or served separately in a Caballito as a chaser to Tequila, Mezcal and other spirits of Mexico. (Source: Academia Mexicana de Tequila, A.C.

Who can enter the competition

Only those brands participating in the 2010 Spirits of Mexico Festival may enter.

Who judges the competition?

A total of five (5) judges will include executives from within the Beverage Alcohol & Hospitality industries as well as members of the Press including Ryan Kelley, National Tequila Examiner.

Semi-Finals & Finals

The Sangrita Challenge Semi-Finals will take place on Tuesday August 17 at Chef Isabel Cruz’s (www.foodgirl.com) newest restaurant, the vibrant and energetic Barrio Star in the Bankers Hill area of San Diego (5th and Nutmeg). Five (5) Finalist entries will be selected from all entries to head to the Finals which take place on September 15 at Café Coyote in Old Town San Diego.

Consumers are invited to observe the judging during the Semi-Finals and the Finals. Each will receive every ‘nth’ sample of entries at the semi’s and all five (5) finalist entries at the Finals.  Price of admission: $25 per event.

What does the winner receive?

• $1,000 cash prize
• Award trophy and certificate
• Dinner for 2 from Café Coyote
• Dinner for 2 from Barrio Star

The winning Sangrita will be served at all 2010 Spirits of Mexico Festival events including:

• Awards Dinner, Friday September 17 at Barra Barra Saloon
• Fiesta, Saturday afternoon September 18 in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park (Plaza de las Armas area) in the Tequila Garden
• Main Event, Saturday night at the Cosmopolitan Restaurant
• After Party, Saturday 10PM+ at the Fiesta de Reyes Restaurant

The winning Sangrita will be featured in both consumer and trade magazines More prizes anticipated

Learn more

How to enter: Must be in the Bar, Nightclub or Restaurant industry to enter.

Recipes using Cognac must be submitted by 6/7/10 to: info@rdpgroup.com

The Bar & Wine Show in New York is on Monday, June 21, 2010 at 1PM.  First place wins $2,000!

To learn more please visit the official Bar & Wine Show website: http://www.newyorkbarshow.com/

- Wednesday June 2 -welcome reception and Fashion Show open to the Public
- Thursday June 3 -daily seminars, mixology and blind tastings
- Friday June 4 -daily seminars, mixology and blind tastings
- Saturday June 5 -Grand Tasting -commencing 11am-1pm for Trade and Media
-Public from 1pm to 6pm
-Rock-n-Roll Band, closing reception/party awards
- Sunday June 6 -By invitation closing pool/beach party

This year, clear your calendars for June 2-5, 2010 for a weekend jam-packed with events, meet and mingle with Industry professionals, learn the difference between shaken or stirred, learn how to mix cocktails.

Learn more at http://www.sandiegospiritsfestival.com

The San Francisco World Spirits Competition celebrated its 10th Anniversary with a record number of international entries, topping last year‚s high mark by 17%. On March 13th and 14th, 30 of the most prestigious spirits experts in the United States tasted 1,024 premium spirits during the judging held at Hotel Nikko in San Francisco, making the oldest American spirits competition also the largest.

The San Francisco World Spirits Competition Founder and Executive Director, Anthony Dias Blue of The Tasting Panel Magazine, celebrated the 10th Anniversary by introducing renowned mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim as the new Director of Judging in 2010. Abou-Ganim joined the San Francisco World Spirits Competition as a judge in 2005. Together Blue and Abou-Ganim organized panels of spirits professionals to evaluate 1,024 entries representing 58 countries and six out of the seven continents (only Antarctica was missing), making this a globally influential spirits competition.

Inviting the largest number of judges to-date in the history of the competition, 30 spirits professionals tasted through 1,024 spirits in 82 classification categories and awarded 131 Double Gold Medals, 189 Gold Medals, 347 Silver Medals and 250 Bronze Medals. Double Gold occurs when all judges on a panel agree that the spirit is Gold, which immediately upgrades the selection to Double Gold status.

Taking top honors, The Tasting Panel Magazine “Distillery of the Year” went to The Glenmorangie Distillery in Tain, Scotland and “Importer of the Year” went to Moët Hennessy USA, in New York, New York. “Best in Show-White,” was claimed by Trago Silver Tequila, Altos de Jalisco, Mexico ($40), and Isle of Jura Single Malt Scotch, Prophecy, Islands, Scotland ($70), was named “Best in Show-Whisky” Père Magloire 20 Year Old Vintage Calvados, Normandy, France, received “Best in Show-Brandy: ($100), and Grand Marnier 100th Anniversary Liqueur, France ($135), was named “Best in Show-Liqueur.”

In addition to the premium awards, the top ranking spirit in each category was awarded a “Best” title. In the White Spirits category winners include Chase Vodka, Herefordshire, England ($40), as “Best Vodka” while “Best Flavored Vodka” went to Rain Organics Cucumber Lime Vodka, Kentucky, USA ($21). “Best Gin” went to Beefeater Gin 24, England ($30). Vizcaya VXOP Solera Rum, Dominican Republic ($38), took “Best Rum,” and “Best Extra-Aged Rum” went to Pusser’s 15 Year Old Rum, Nelson’s Blood, Trinidad, British Virgin Isles ($55). “Best Cachaça” was awarded to Leblon Cachaça, Minas Gerais, Brazil ($30). Trago Reposado Tequila, Altos de Jalisco, Mexico ($45), took “Best Reposado Tequila,” and El Jimador Añejo Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico ($30), shared the award and tied with Mujer Bonita Añejo Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico ($25), for “Best Añejo Tequila.” El Zacatecano Añejo Mescal, Zacatecas, Mexico ($42), won “Best Mescal.”

Winners in the whisk(e)y category include: Elijah Craig Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Kentucky, USA ($40), as “Best Bourbon,” and Seagrams VO Canadian Whisky, Canada ($23), as “Best Canadian Whisky.” “Best Irish Whiskey” went to Bushmills 1608 Irish Whiskey ($100). The Grand Bark Equinoxe Blended Scotch, Scotland ($55), was “Best Blended Scotch,” and Ardbeg Single Malt Scotch, Corryvreckan, Islay, Scotland ($85), was “Best Single Malt Scotch.”

In the brandy and liqueur categories, Comte de Lauvia 21 Year Old Armagnac, Eauze, France ($35), won “Best Armagnac,” while “Best Pisco” went to Pisco O Torontel Pisco, Ica, Peru ($35). Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur, Belgium ($30), received “Best Cream Liqueur.

2010 San Francisco World Spirits Competition judges included:
Tony Abou-Ganim - Master Mixologist, The Modern Mixologist, Las Vegas; Bridget Albert - Southern Wine & Spirits, Chicago; Brian Baker - VP Sales & Marketing, Chateau Montelena, Calistoga; Stephen Beal - Master of Whisky, Consultant & Educator, San Francisco; Julio Bermejo - Tequila Master / Spirits Buyer, Tommy’s Mexican Restaurant, San Francisco; Jacques Bezuidenhout - Chief Mixologist, Sangoma Spirits & Cocktail, San Francisco; Anthony Dias Blue - President / Editor-in-Chief, Blue Lifestyle / The Tasting Panel Magazine, Los Angeles; Mark Bowery - Wine & Spirits Consultant, Mark Bowery Consulting, Mendocino; Katie Ballou Calhoun - President, Calhoun & Company Communications, San Francisco; Dale DeGroff - President, King Cocktail Co., New York; Aidan Demarest - Owner / Partner, Tello / Demarest - Liquid Assests Consulting, Los Angeles; Janet Dyer - Partner, JAM Wines, San Francisco; Michael Feil - GM / Wine & Spirits Buyer, Westchester Country Club, New York; Doug Frost, MS & MW - Wine & Spirits Writer, Kansas City Star; Thomas “Mac” Gregory - Food & Beverage Director, The Phoenician Hotel, Arizona; Richard Carleton Hacker - Spirits Journalist, Robb Report, Los Angeles; Kim Haasarud - The Liquid Chef, Liquid Architecture, Los Angeles; Mendel Kohn - Sales, Vinifera Wine Marketing, California; Francesco Lafranconi - National Director of Mixology & Spirits Educator, Southern Wine & Spirits, Las Vegas; Ann Littlefield - International Beverage Industry Marketing & Sales, Napa; Sean Ludford - Director, BevX.com, Chicago; Jordan Mackay - Wine & Spirits Editor, 7×7 Magazine, San Francisco; David Mahoney - Wine & Spirits Writer, , Minneapolis; Meridith May - Publisher & Executive Editor, The Tasting Panel Magazine, Los Angeles; Tim McDonald - President, Wine Spoken Here, Napa; Jeffrey Morgenthaler - Bar Manager / Founder, Clyde Common / RepealDay.org, Portland; Robert Plotkin - Author, Trade Writer, Beverage Consultant, BarMedia, Arizona; Audrey Saunders - Co-Owner & Mixologist, Le Pegu Club, New York; Kevin M. Vogt, MS - Wine & Spirits Director, Emeril’s Restaurants Las Vegas; David Wondrich - Spirits Writer, Esquire Magazine, New York.

Blue Law Banning Spirits Tastings at ABC Stores Goes Away

RICHMOND, VA – In a strong move toward modernizing Virginia’s alcohol laws,  Republican Governor Bob McDonnell signed legislation knocking down a decades-old ban on liquor tasting events at ABC stores, according to the Distilled Spirits Council (DISCUS) which said the bill modernized an outdated law that had only allowed for beer and wine tastings.

House Bill 952, sponsored by Delegate S. Chris Jones, gives adult consumers the opportunity to sample up to three separate one-half ounce servings of spirits in any one calendar day at a pre-planned tasting event.

“In today’s economy it’s more important than ever to give customers the tools to make better purchasing decisions,” said DISCUS Vice President David Wojnar, noting that tastings are controlled events that must first be approved by the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.  “Most consumers wouldn’t purchase a nice $40-$50 bottle of Scotch if they’ve never tasted it.  Repealing the ban on spirits tastings is a great, modern convenience for Virginians that ultimately helps Virginia’s bottom line.”

HB 952 passed the House on February 12 by a count of 75-17 and the Senate on February 23 by a vote of 31-9. Governor McDonnell signed the bill into law yesterday and it takes effect July 1, 2010.

Forty-three states currently allow some form of spirits tasting. Thirty-one states, including Virginia, now allow spirits tastings at off-premise establishments, Wojnar noted.

For nearly half a century, bartenders and drinkers around the world have been patiently awaiting the return of this storied product

March 10, 2010, New York, NY – Three years after the wildly successful introduction of St-Germain, The Cooper Spirits Company (formerly Cooper Spirits International) is re-introducing l’original violet liqueur, Crème Yvette. Introduced in the late 19th century, the historic Crème Yvette is a critical component in a variety of classic cocktails. Defunct for nearly half a century, Crème Yvette is being revived to provide a new generation of bartenders with the opportunity to work with the same ingredients as their pioneering predecessors.
Enjoyed as an after-dinner digestif and cocktail component, Crème Yvettte’s primary tasting notes are intense, rich berry fruits, matched with the depth and sophistication of a subtle botanical overtone. Crème Yvette is an all natural blend of four berry fruits, mûre, framboise, cassis, and fraise sauvage, combined with dried violet petals from Provence and a final touch of orange peel and honey. Crafted near Bordeaux, France, only the finest fruits and violets are selected for the Crème Yvette infusion. The production method is approached with great care and attention. A vinimatic maceration process is employed to extract intense, rich flavor from the fruit and botanical blend.

The remarkable history of Crème Yvette began in the late 19th century.  It was first produced and sold in the USA in approximately 1890, by the Sheffield Company of Connecticut. It was subsequently purchased by the Cooper family’s company, Charles Jacquin et Cie., America’s Oldest Cordial Company, in 1900, at which point, Crème Yvette was sold throughout the world. Taken out of circulation in the 1960s, until now, Crème Yvette had been unavailable for nearly a half century.
 The revival of Crème Yvette was prompted by cocktail experts and historians like David Wondrich, Ted Haigh and Dale DeGroff. They knew that the recipe for Crème Yvette was in the Cooper family; Robert Cooper’s grandfather acquired the rights to it from Sheffield of Connecticut back in the 1930s. Known for his desire to inspire individuals to embrace cocktail culture by providing well-crafted, integrity-driven artisanal liqueurs and spirits, Robert Cooper, the visionary behind St-Germain, was committed to bringing Crème Yvette back to life. “The historic underpinning of cocktail culture is undeniably integral to the progression of modern bartending,” says Robert Cooper, President of The Cooper Spirits Company.  “The re-introduction of Crème Yvette gives modern day bartenders a living, tangible piece of history, and provides the bartending community with an opportunity to experience several vintage cocktails that, until now, were left to the imagination.  Steeped with integrity, Crème Yvette is a delicious modifier that will stretch even the most creative minds.”
The new Crème Yvette bottle reflects the spirit’s authenticity, and is a contemporized restoration of the original product packaging.
Crème Yvette is currently available in limited quantity in New York and California. In late spring it will also be available in Illinois, Massachusetts and Washington DC. The suggested retail price for a 750ml is $40.99.

WHEN: Monday, March 8th, 2010

TIME: 6:00 pm - Media Preview
6:30 pm-8:30pm - fly-by-night bar features tippling and tweeting

WHERE: Astor Center – The Lounge, 399 Lafayette Street (at East 4th Street), New York City

TICKETS: Tickets are $30 and include two specialty Compass Box featured cocktails, with $5 of each ticket donated to local women’s charities. Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.astorcenternyc.com

On Monday, March 8th, in honor of International Women’s Day 2010 (IWD), Compass Box Whisky Company along with the NYC chapter of Ladies United for the Preservation of Endangered Cocktails (LUPEC) will co-host a one part fundraiser and one part cocktail party at Astor Center to officially toast women’s accomplishments and continued empowerment in the Big Apple and around the globe. A portion of ticket sales for the event will benefit a local women’s charity.

Boutique Scotch whisky innovators Compass Box launch their 10th anniversary year by celebrating whisky and women this IWD and inviting LUPEC members and leading female mixologists — from the city’s most popular establishments — to create a portfolio of well-crafted libations made exclusively in honor of IWD. Proving women’s whisky consumption is on the rise, these accomplished women have broken an age old barrier – by not only creating some of today’s most impressive cocktails but also making their mark in the spirits world in what was once thought of as a profession for “men only.” Creations will be served in their respective bars throughout the week.

International Women’s Day celebrates the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. It has been observed since the early 1900’s and today thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate their incredible achievements.

Best Buy Whisk(e)y of the Year: The MacPhail’s Collection (Tamdhu 8 year old, Glenrothes 8 year old, Highland Park 8 year old)

Artisan Whiskey of the Year (operating 10 years or less): Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey (Batch #49)

American Whiskey of the Year: Parker’s Heritage Collection “Golden Anniversary”

Canadian Whisky of the Year: Crown Royal Cask No. 16

Irish Whiskey of the Year: Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve (2009 release)

Scotch Whisky: Blend of the Year: Compass Box, “The Peat Monster”

Scotch Whisky: Single Malt of the Year: Ardbeg Corryvreckan

Industry Leader of the Year: Mark Brown, President and CEO of Buffalo Trace Distillery

Distillery of the Year: Cooley

Pioneer of the Year: Whisky bloggers

Lifetime Achievement Award: John Ramsay & Robert Hicks

Also announced were the Top Ten New Whiskies for 2009
(listed alphabetically):
Ardbeg Corryvreckan
Brora 30 year old (2009 Release)
Dalmore 50 year old
Gold Bowmore, 1964 Vintage
Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve (2009 Release)
Laphroaig 25 year old
Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve (Bottle B1986)
Parker’s Heritage Selection Golden Anniversary
Rittenhouse Rye 25 year old (Barrel #1)
William Larue Weller (2009 Release)

The Malt Advocate Whisky Awards exist to recognize excellence in the world of whisky. Now in their sixteenth year, these awards are the oldest and longest-running annual whisky awards program. They honor the world’s greatest whiskies and distilleries, and the individuals who make and promote them. To be eligible for this year’s awards, products must have been sold in the U.S. during the 2009 calendar year.

To celebrate the 200th anniversary of Frederic Chopin’s birth, Chopin Vodka unveiled a hand-blown, seven-foot tall, 200-liter glass bottle on the red carpet at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. This is the largest bottle of vodka ever produced and is an exact replica of Chopin Vodka’s signature bottle.

Inspired by its namesake, Chopin Vodka will auction the bottle later this year to benefit the GRAMMY Foundation and its important work in music preservation and archiving, guaranteeing a minimum donation of $50,000.

Featuring autographs by several luminaries from the film world who attended the Santa Barbara International Film Festival – including Sandra Bullock, Forest Whitaker, James Cameron, Emily Blunt, Kirk Douglas, Quentin Tarantino, Carey Mulligan, Roger Durling, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Saoirse Ronan, Michael Stuhlbarg, Kathryn Bigelow, Julianne Moore, Gabourey Sidibe, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Vera Farmiga, Colin Firth and Jeff Bridges – the 200-liter bottle will embark on a national tour before the public auction later this year.(Source: Chopin Vodka)

SKYY Vodka is Once Again Named the Official Vodka for the Second Installment of Sex and the City Movie Franchise

Gruppo Campari and its North American subsidiary Skyy Spirits announced today a comprehensive global marketing deal with Warner Bros. Entertainment for SKYY Vodka® to serve as the official vodka and promotional partner for the highly anticipated new film Sex and the City 2, debuting in theatres in the U.S. on Friday, May 28.

“After the tremendous success of SKYY Vodka’s partnership with the first Sex and the City film, there was no question that we wanted to continue our support of this lasting cultural phenomenon,” said Bob Kunze-Concewitz, CEO of Gruppo Campari. “Sex and the City helped to define sophisticated cocktail culture around the world, and that tradition will continue as SKYY teams with Warner Bros. to give fans another reason to celebrate friendship, fashion and ‘cocktail couture’ with Sex and the City 2.”

This new promotional partnership between Warner Bros. and Gruppo Campari/Skyy Spirits is a multi-faceted program that will showcase “cocktail couture:” the convergence of the iconic Sex and the City style and fabulous SKYY cocktails, the perfect accessory for social occasions. Key elements of the promotional program include:

Advertising: Global co-branded advertising featuring print, broadcast, outdoor, digital and social media vehicles.

Celebrity Spokesperson: Renowned Sex and the City Costume Designer Patricia Field will
serve as a spokesperson for multiple components of the SKYY campaign, as well as lending her design talents to several promotional elements tied to the film.

“So many of Sex and the City’s most stylish moments have been when the ladies were out in Manhattan, dressed to the nines, bonding over fun cocktails,” says Field. “SKYY Vodka has always been a brand with style, so I was thrilled to partner with them to create something special that celebrates those special ‘cocktail couture’ moments that truly are the essence of SKYY and Sex and the City.”

Limited-Edition Bottle: To commemorate the launch of the motion picture, Patricia Field will design a limited-edition SKYY Vodka Sex and the City 2 bottle, which will be available at retailers around the world in May, just in time for the film’s release. This is the first themed design change to the iconic cobalt blue SKYY bottle in the brand’s history.

On-Premise/Off-Premise Promotions: Sex and the City 2 promotions will feature signature SKYY Vodka cocktails inspired by the film, highlighted by a line of limited edition fashion and cocktail accessories designed by Patricia Field that will be available at bars and restaurants across the US.

Sweepstakes/Giveaways: SKYY will execute consumer sweepstakes (where legal) in key markets tied to the advertising for a chance to win tickets to the star-studded Sex and the City 2 premieres, a local advance screening or other fabulous prizes. Consumers in the U.S. will also have a chance to win a New York City shopping spree with Patricia Field. Consumers can sign up now in the “Membership” section of www.skyy.com or become a fan at Facebook.com/skyyvodka to receive more information. (Source: Skyy spirits)