Triple Trophy Triumph for Chivas Brothers

Pernod Ricard USA and Chivas Brothers are delighted to announce that Chivas 18, the number 1 ultra premium Scotch whisky in the world, has scooped the prestigious ‘Blended Scotch Whisky’ trophy at this year’s International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC).

The judges were unanimous in their praise for Chivas 18, with the panel commenting: “Stone fruits lead in a very attractive nose with peach being most dominant. Nutmeg, cinnamon and sherry follow. Wonderfully warming in the mouth. Rich in sherry characters with raisins and plum. Vanilla is prominent in long, well sustained finish. Delightful.”

There was further success across the portfolio with nine gold /gold outstanding medals awarded to expressions from Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, The Glenlivet, Aberlour and Passport, reinforcing the consistent and outstanding quality of Chivas Brothers’ comprehensive range of Scotch whiskies.

These latest awards follow a double trophy win for Chivas Brothers at the recent International Spirit Challenge (ISC), where The Glenlivet Nàdurra 16 Year Old and Beefeater London Dry scooped trophies in the ‘Scotch Malt Whisky 20 Years and Under’ and ‘London Gin Premium’ categories respectively.

Following success for the portfolio at the IWSC, Chivas Brothers has been shortlisted for the ‘United Kingdom Spirit Producer’ trophy – the winner will be announced at the IWSC Awards Banquet on Wednesday 12th November 2014, so stay tuned.

In addition to Chivas 18, the following expressions received Gold Outstanding medals from IWSC:
·      The Glenlivet 15 YO French Oak Reserve·      The Glenlivet 21 YO·      The Glenlivet Nàdurra 16 YO·      The Glenlivet Nàdurra Oloroso·      Aberlour 18 YO·      Ballantine’s Finest·      Ballantine’s Limited·      Passport

 About Chivas Brothers

Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard – the world’s co-leader in wine and spirits. Chivas Brothers is the global leader in luxury Scotch whisky and premium gin. Its portfolio includes Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, Beefeater gin, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Aberlour, Plymouth gin, Longmorn, Scapa, 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport. 

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Sagrantino and the Wines of Montefalco Gain Increasing Interest in California

The Most Iconic Producers from Umbria Visited Los Angeles and San Francisco During a Recent US Tour to Promote Their Signature Wines, Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG and Montefalco Rosso DOC

Last week, the Montefalco Consortium—the body that represents all producers from the homonymous area in Umbria—traveled to California to promote its iconic Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG and Montefalco Rosso DOC varietals to the local trade and press. Stops included Los Angeles (June 11th at Terroni Restaurant) and San Francisco (June 10th at 54 Mint, Press Club), two important California markets in which the Consortium is seeking to increase awareness of Montefalco wines within target audiences. The response has been fantastic—several key trade and press influencers attended two days’ worth of tastings and guided seminars, showing great interest in the still relatively unknown wine region from Umbria.

Together with sommelier and Umbria native Matteo Pastori, the Consortium organized walk-around tastings and guided seminars of Sagrantino, the most important wine of the area, made with 100% of the indigenous grape. The Consortium also partnered with NASA (North American Sommelier Association) to educate the trade and press attendees.

“This is our third tour in the United States as a Consortium,” says Amilcare Pambuffetti, president of the Cosorzio Tutela Vini Montefalco. ”The interest and engagement shown at the events tell us that there’s a great potential for marketing our wines. It’s critical, for both Umbria and the Montefalco region, to travel regularly to the US and promote the unique characteristics of our territory and products.”

Participating producers included Antonelli San Marco, Arnaldo Caprai, Le Cimate, Perticaia, Romanelli, Scacciadiavoli, Tenuta Bellafonte, and Tenuta Castelbuono.

About the Montefalco Consortium (Consorzio Tutela Vini Montefalco)
Since 1981, wine producers of Montefalco have joined together in the Montefalco Consortium. This organization is responsible for coordinating with local producers and guiding them in both constant quality research and the promotion of the quintessential wines of their territory. The Consortium guarantees the high standards of production and promoting both Montefalco Sagrantino and Montefalco Rosso around the world.

The Consortium’s main responsibilities are:

• protection of the viticulture in the production zone and of the Montefalco denomination wines;
• promotion of the Montefalco denomination wines;
• surveillance to prevent abuse, fraud or irregular use of the denominations.

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Absolut® Vodka Sponsors the Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival Best Bloody Mary Recipe Contest

ABSOLUT VODKA is once again proud to sponsor the Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE’s Best Bloody Mary in America recipe contest. Bartenders across the country are being challenged to submit their entries for the chance to win the title of America’s Best Bloody Mary, 2014. Finalists will be flown to New York to serve up their version of the classic cocktail at the Festival’s Chopped Best Bloody Mary Brunch perfected by ABSOLUT® on October 18. The cast of Food Network’sChopped will host, judge and ultimately crown this year’s winner.

“The Bloody Mary is one of the most popular and versatile cocktails served in on-premise establishments across the country,” noted Bert Saville, Trade Marketing Manager for Pernod Ricard USA. “It presents bartenders with the opportunity to creatively express themselves through the ingredients and the methods they use to create their own distinct recipe. Add ABSOLUT’s range of superior quality vodka and vodka flavors to the mix and the possibilities are endless. We are thrilled to sponsor this great event and inspire a new generation of Bloody Mary recipes, perfected by ABSOLUT.” 

To enter, bartenders create their own original version of the ABSOLUT Bloody Mary using their choice of ABSOLUT vodka(s). Once perfected, they snap a picture to showcase their creative presentation and go to NYCWFFBestBloody.org  to enter. Entries are accepted from July 1 through August 31

Taste all of the finalists’ recipes at the Chopped Best Bloody Mary Brunch perfected by ABSOLUT® on October 18.  Tickets are on sale now at www.nycwff.org and all proceeds benefit Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry and Food Bank For New York City. 

ENJOY RESPONSIBLY

ABSOLUT® VODKA. Product of  Sweden. 40% Alc./Vol. Distilled From Grain. © 2014 Imported by Absolut Spirits Co., New York, NY.

About AbsolutAbsolut Vodka has been committed to developing innovative flavors since the introduction of Absolut Peppar in 1986, its first flavored vodka.  Since then, Absolut has continued to bring a unique twist to common flavors with products such as Absolut® Mandrin®, Absolut® Citron, Absolut® Kurant®, Absolut® Vanilia, Absolut® Raspberri, Absolut® Apeach®, Absolut® Ruby Red, Absolut® Pears, Absolut® Mango, Absolut® Berri Acai, Absolut® Wild Tea, Absolut® Orient Apple, Absolut® Grapevine and Absolut© Cherrykran.

About Pernod Ricard USA®Pernod Ricard USA is the premium spirits and wine company in the U.S., and the largest subsidiary of Paris, France-based Pernod Ricard SA, which employs more than 19,000 people worldwide and is listed on the NYSE Euronext exchange (Ticker: RI).

The company’s leading spirits and wines include such prestigious brands as Absolut® Vodka, Chivas Regal® Scotch Whisky, The Glenlivet® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Jameson® Irish Whiskey, Malibu®, Kahlúa® Liqueur, Beefeater® Gin, Plymouth™ Gin, Seagram’s Extra Dry Gin®, Martell® Cognac, Hiram Walker® Liqueurs, Pernod®, Ricard® and Avión™ Tequila (through a joint venture with Tequila Avión); such superior wines as Jacob’s Creek® and Brancott Estate®; and such exquisite champagnes and sparkling wines as Perrier-Jouët® Champagne, G.H. Mumm™ Champagne and Mumm Napa® sparkling wines.

Pernod Ricard USA is based in Purchase, New York, and has roughly 850 employees across the country. Pernod Ricard USA urges all adults to consume its products responsibly and has an active campaign to promote responsible drinking. 

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