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Trade Activity
THE BUSINESS BEHIND THE BRANDS
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Diageo Reserve World Class Global Bartender of the Year 2018 has crowned Australia’s Orlando Marzo as the World’s Best Bartender. The competition, in its 10th year, attracted over 10,000 bartenders from five continents who competed over a six-month period in a challenge that involves making countless cocktails with Diageo’s Reserve brands. The top 56 battled it out at a four day final in Berlin until the final four went into the ‘Cocktail Clash’ grand final. Diageo Global Cocktailian and World Class judge, Lauren Mote, said, “The finalists brought their A game, but Orlando really was on another level.” The winner attributes his victory to hard work and the unwavering support of his team at Lûmé Melbourne where Orlando works. “I can’t believe it. I’m still in shock. I couldn’t have done it without the support of my amazing team back home – they’ve cheered me on every step of the way,” said Orlando. The winner will now have the chance to travel the world as a Diageo representative, making bespoke drinks and judging competitions and will join the industry’s best as the 10th member of the World Class Hall of Fame. Visit www.theworldclassclub.com
PENFOLDS WINE ‘HEALTH CHECK’ ON THE ROAD AGAIN
The Penfolds Recorking Clinics will be travelling around Australia in November and December to once again offer collectors the opportunity to have their special vintage bottles assessed by Penfolds winemakers. Wine collectors can bring along their prized Penfolds wines to be opened, visually inspected, quality assessed, topped, certified and re-capsuled. The highly successful Recorking Clinics have been offered to Penfolds collectors since 1991 and so far have assessed close to 150,000 bottles globally. Collectors are required to make an appointment for the assessment that also allows the collector to meet the winemaker and discuss the past and provenance of the bottle, optimum drinking and cellaring recommendations. Collectors can also receive an optional valuation from fine wine auction house Langton’s as part of the service. Visit www.penfolds.com
TIFFANI GRAYDON RETURNS TO PERNOD RICARD
Pernod Ricard Winemakers has announced the appointment of Tiffani Graydon as Global Marketing Director, New Zealand brands, based in Auckland.
Tiffani rejoins the business from her role as General Manager Sales & Marketing with Yealand’s Wine Group. Tiffani previously held the position of Marketing Director for Pernod Ricard New Zealand focused on the domestic wine and spirits business. Tiffani will be responsible for driving the global brand strategy and delivery for Pernod Ricard Winemaker’s origin brands – Brancott Estate, Stoneleigh and Church Road. “I am excited to be returning to Pernod Ricard Winemakers and to lead the team in growing the global footprint of our New Zealand wine brand portfolio. We have an enviable portfolio of wines and the opportunity to share our passion for these brands to many more consumers around the world is both an energizing and humbling one,” said Tiffani.
THE 19TH STONIER INTERNATIONAL PINOT NOIR TASTING (SIPNOT) 2018
There is much to be learned at SIPNOT where professionals and consumers take part in an open floor discussion about twelve carefully curated and blind tasted Pinot Noirs from around the world. This year’s tasting held in Melbourne saw opinions divided and the subjectivity of taste highlighted as guests tasted their way around this enigmatic variety, more popular in Australia than ever. The lively conversation was led by a panel of experts including James Halliday AM, Philip Rich, Aaron Brasher and chief winemaker for Stonier, Mike Symons and was joined by table captains including wine commentators Jeni Port, Gary Walsh and Peter Bourne, winemaker and judge Rob Hannam from Curly Flat, Brian Croser of Croser Wines, and Ed Merrison from Cellarhand. The reveal at the end saw Australian wines such as the 2016 Curly Flat Pinot Noir at $60 per bottle and the Stonier Merron’s Vineyard Pinot Noir at $55 per bottle shine brightly and show exceptional value amongst the likes of the 2015 Olivier Bernstein Clos de la Roche Grand Cru at $700 per bottle and the 2015 Sylivan Cathiard Aux Thorey, Premier Cru at $450 per bottle. During the discussion, industry stalwart, Brian Croser summed up the collective opinion by stating the quality, finesse and elegance of Australian Pinots easily rivals the best from Burgundy.
BACARDI LEGACY FINALISTS SELECTED
Entries have closed for the 2018/19 Bacardi Legacy Global Cocktail Competition in Australia with the first round of the selection process revealing the top 30 successful bartenders. In its sixth chapter, Bacardi Legacy was created to challenge the best contemporary bartenders in the world to create their own cocktail Legacy. Bacardi Brand Ambassador, Loy Catada said he was impressed with the quantity and quality of the entries. “The selection of the top 30 ultimately came down to well thought-out recipes and an obvious passion behind the drinks; we could certainly have the next Global Legacy cocktail come out of Australia.” The top 30 must now submit a video entry of themselves presenting their original Legacy cocktail at their hometown bar. The top eight will go through to the semi finals where the four most promising will partner with Bacardi to promote their cocktail with a budget of $1000 plus complimentary stock of Bacardi rum featured in their cocktail. Based on the success of their drink an campaign one of the four will be selected as the 2018 Bacardi Legacy Australian Cocktail Competition Winner at the final held in February 2019 in Sydney. The winner will then go to Amsterdam to compete in for the global title. Follow the Legacy on Facebook www.facebook.com/bacardilegacyauatralia
MR BLACK APPOINTS GLOBAL COFFEE AMBASSADOR
Talented barman, Martin Hudak, has been snapped up by award-winning coffee liqueur, Mr Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur and been appointed its first Global Coffee Ambassador. Martin has worked as senior bartender at The American Bar at The Savoy in London and became Champion at the 2017 World Coffee in Good Spirits Competition. Martin will return to Australia from the New York Coffee Festival to judge the World Barista Championship. “My aim over the years has been to bridge the gap between the world of coffee and cocktails. It was the natural and obvious choice for me to join forces with a brand, and a group of people, who believe in this passionately as myself. World watch out…craft coffee and spirits are reuniting,” says Martin.
ABBY WEGENER WINS THE 2018 AUSTRALIAN PATRÓN PERFECTIONISTS COMPETITION
The 2018 Patrón Perfectionist is Abby Wegener of Hades Hula House in South Australia after battling six of Australia’s top bartenders at the Australian Finals held in Sydney. The six were selected as winners from their respective Patrón Perfectionists regional heats that took place over the last three months. Each bartender was challenged to create a Patrón tequila based cocktail inspired by Australia. The winning cocktail was Abby’s ‘The Muldejewangk’ inspired by the mythical creature that was known for snatching children that stray to close to the Murray River banks. Abby will now represent Australia and compete against 18 other national Patrón Perfectionists in the Global Finals in Mexico in January 2019. “I can’t believe that eight months after opening my own bar and shaking my first cocktail that I can be in this position. I feel very blessed and excited to represent all the female bartenders and of course the tiki bartenders out there. I cannot wait to go to Mexico!” exclaimed Abby.
LIMITED EDITION FEVERTREE CITRUS TONIC WATER LAUNCHES IN AUSTRALIA
Crafted in collaboration with Patrón Tequila as the perfect mixer for the tequila brand, Fever-Tree Citrus Tonic Water is a balanced blend of specially sourced citrus including Mexican, Tahitian and Key limes, tangerines and bitter orange from Yucatán, Mexico. “Simple long mixed drinks are seeing a huge resurgence in popularity with both bartenders and consumers at home – and Fever-Tree, like Patrón Tequila, is incredibly versatile,” says Richard Cuthbert, International Marketing Director, Fever-Tree. Fever-Tree Citrus Tonic Water is the first tonic water of its kind and Australia has been chosen as one of the first markets for the global launch, along with America, Mexico, United Kingdom, Spain and United Arab Emirates. Locally, Fever-Tree Citrus Tonic will be available for a limited time from select Rockpool Dining Group bars and restaurants and through Red Bottle venues and online.
LAURENT PERRIER RELEASES LIMITED EDITION KERRIE HESS CUVÉE ROSÉ
Laurent Perrier has collaborated with globally recognized Australian artist Kerrie Hess to create the limited edition Cuvée Rosé Gift Box to celebrate the House’s rosé style and its 50th anniversary. Laurent Perrier first released its Cuvée Rosé in 1968. Kerrie’s illustration for the gift box was inspired by her time in Paris and captures the romance of enjoying Cuvée Rosé in Paris amongst its iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and The Pont Alexanre III Bridge. Kerrie uses pink water colour tones which point to the sensory characters of the champagne. The slight vintage feel of the illustration is also a nod to champagne’s 50 year history while remaining fresh and relevant to the modern consumer. Only 500 units released nationally and available through bestcellars.com.au at $140 per bottle drinks trade|95
