The Napa Technology study shows that consumers are focussing more on unconventional wines from new world producers.
the eastern seaboard, accentuating the consumer leaning towards interesting new varietals. “Chilean wines have really arrived in the last few years, and we want people to see just how good they are with our food,” says Sandy Block, MW and VP of Beverage Operations for Legal Sea Foods. “One out of every three bottles of wine we sell today is red, reflecting a growing sophistication of consumers who recognize the old rules are just that—old. It goes beyond fish or meat, and a perfect pairing captures not just the protein on the plate, but also the preparation technique and sauces. Our customers are very comfortable ordering Pinot Noir or Cabernet Sauvignon to complement a meaty fish like tuna.” Each of the wines in the program has a uniqueness to them—a specificity based on the terroir—and were chosen for their ability to work well with Legal’s signature dishes. “We’re excited about the opportunity for Legal Sea Foods guests to learn about and explore the variety, quality and regionality of some of Chile’s best wines,” says Wines of Chile Executive Director Lori Tieszen. Wines featured in the program will be available in a range of options including wines by the glass, wines by the bottle, and as a red wine tasting flight. Vine Connections, a national importer of boutique Argentine wines and Japanese Ginjo sake, recently entered this growing market with the debut of its new Chilean portfolio. “Chile is in the midst of a revolution, the kind that wine geeks love,” says Nick Ramkowsky, co-founder of Vine Connections. “We found a fantastic group of wineries intent on taking advantage of the unique terroir all over the country.”
According to the team at Vine Connections, Chile has the perfect mix of climate, soil, and terroir that makes for ideal winemaking conditions. The country is surrounded by influential natural barriers—the Andes Mountain, Pacific Ocean, and Atacama Desert—that have shaped the land and created unique terroirs that yield great wines. Vine Connections Chilean portfolio is now available in the U.S. Wine varietals can also be born of outside-of-the-box thinking, as with a new line of flavored options from Birthday Cake Vineyards and Ice Cream Cellars collections, both of which have been developed through a “breakthrough method” of blending and maturating Meritage wines—high quality, handcrafted blends of original, noble French varietals—with premium flavors and confectionary essences. The result is a whole new kind of wine experience. These unique wines wink at tradition, taking classic wine companions and tasting notes from wine experts—like berries, chocolate, and cheese—and making them the main attraction. These new wines feature flavors like Black Forest Cake and Cheesecake, and ice cream inspired favorites including Dutch Chocolate and French Vanilla. Each with an incredible nose and distinct, yet not overpowering flavor, they’re unlike anything you’ve ever tasted before. Your
The Savino wine preservation system creates a new environment for the wine, rather than control the environment of an open bottle. www.barbizmag.com
May 2013 Bar Business Magazine
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