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Levendi Estate Chardonnay, Napa Valley 2016, 93 Points

Stunning clarity, in a straw crystal clear appearance, this chardonnay epitomizes what Napa fans hope for. Abundant ripe fruit on the nose in the form of dried pineapple is met with less-ripe flavors of apple to alert the senses that something wonderful is about to happen. You’ll spot the perfected balance on the palate, with that tropical fruit flavor bursting through, prompting immediate salivation. It holds back at the end though, so as not to build. Apple again on the aftertaste keeps it fresh. Upon each entry, the process starts again. This is a crowd-pleaser and a safe bet for any on-premise menu.

Texas Senate Bill To Promote Free Market for Package Store Ownership

Legislation introduced in the Texas Senate would remove a decades-old anticompetitive and unconstitutional limit on package store ownership and promote a free and fair market in Texas.

State Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, has introduced Senate Bill 645 that would remove the limit on package store ownership and the so-called “consanguinity loophole.”

8 Paddy’s Day Cocktails To Increase Till Totals

St. Patrick’s Day is No.2 in terms of alcohol sales volume in the United States, Fourth of July being No.1. Whether you’re an Irish bar or an Armenian restaurant, there is a place for you on March 17th. Elevate sales by creating a reason to spend. Think beyond the green-beer pitcher and trade-up customers with premium, themed cocktails that support a celebratory mood and increase margins, as well as repeat orders.

Here are 8 quick-to-make cocktails that won’t slow your service, but will increase your till totals.

OZV Is Refreshed and Ready For Roll Out

Lodi -based, Oak Ridge Winery announced a refreshed label for the OZV portfolio which features three expressions of Zinfandel: The OZV Old Vine Zinfandel 2016, OZV Rosé of Primitivo 2018 and its OZV Old Vine Red Blend 2016. OZV is the No.1 Zinfandel in California in its price point and No.4 in the United States, according to recent Nielsen data.

The new label, hitting shelves now, strengthens OZV among Oak Ridge Winery’s key brands including Maggio Family Vineyards, Old Soul, Moss Roxx, and Lodi Estates by recharging its brand identity as it looks to the future.

Bonfort’s Vodka Report 2018

According to the Distilled Spirits Council, vodka has become the backbone of the spirits industry, accounting for 32% of all volume. In 2017, 71.3 million 9-liter cases of vodka were sold in the United States, generating $6.2 billion in revenue for distillers.

The Council states that an important growth driver has been the continued popularity of flavored vodkas as they now account for around 21% of all vodkas sold in the U.S. Today, consumers can enjoy vodkas that have been infused with natural spices, refreshing citrus flavors, raspberry, vanilla and other alternatives.

Brock Schulte’s 5 Holiday Menu Cocktails

Brock Schulte is the Bar Director of The Monarch in Kansas City. Brock is well-known in the business for creating inventive cocktails that are fun to make and even more fun to drink. Who better to ask for tips on how to upsell customers with holiday recipes than one of the country’s wisest creators of cocktails?

“I think guests, towards the holidays, start to get excited about warm cocktails and seasonal spices, things that remind them of their favorite desserts at family get-togethers like pumpkin pie, cherry pie, creme brulee and the like. Things that are great around the fire, chestnut, almond, praline, fig, and date.

Beyond Pinot Grigio: Why You Need Collio Wines

Think of white wines from Northeast Italy and Pinot Grigio may come to mind. The Collio region in the southeastern corner of Friuli-Venezia Guilia makes intriguing Pinot Grigio while taking innovative steps to produce many other captivating white wines. During the renaissance of Italian wine during the 1970s, red Super Tuscans garnered major attention. Meanwhile in Collio, white grape growers chose to nurture their indigenous grapes and also gained renown as a quality wine region. At Press Club in San Francisco, wine director Mauro Cirilli states unequivocally that Collio is the top Italian white wine denomination…

Rabble’s AR App Is Giant Draw For Customers

Rabble Wine Company, producer of unconventional wines from California’s Central Coast, launched its augmented reality (AR) app, which brings to life the company’s historic wine labels. The AR label series kick offs with the Rabble Wine Company Red Blend, which animates a colorful print of the city of Florence, initially shown as quiet and bright prior to its dark destruction by Apocalyptic comets. The sophistication of the app is remarkable and as high a standard of AR as anything out there created…

International Coffee Day Translates Into Broad-Appeal Cocktails

Today is International Coffee Day, and that means new ways to get your on-premise customers reading your cocktail menu. Coffee Day has, of late, turned in International Coffee Weekend which is now turning into International Coffee Week. This unofficial holiday celebrates of the world’s most highly consumed beverages which translates into broad consumer-base appeal for you, so have at it with these 7 enticing recipes we’ve procured for your bar’s quick inclusion. The award-winning Koskenkorva Vodka embodies the true spirit of the village in which its made…

Champagne Henriot Brut Souverain NV, 94 Points

An excellent example of the endlessly effervescent bubbles that should be associated with all champagnes, is found in Champagne Henriot Brut Souverain NV. Immediately off to a wonderful beginning with an inviting straw yellow color, cream-like nose attributes as well as apricot, followed by a similar experience on the palate. Green apples, with a truly perfectly balanced measure of steel and mousse. Strongly recommend. Varietal Breakdown: 50% Chardonnay, 45% Pinot Noir, 5% Pinot Meunier…

New Belgium and Knob Creek Roll Out Oakspire

New Belgium Brewing and Knob Creek Bourbon have banded together to launch Oakspire Bourbon Barrel Ale, creating an entirely new style of bourbon barrel ale. Oakspire Bourbon Barrel Ale is a highly-drinkable bourbon-inspired ale which uses Knob Creek Bourbon-soaked oak spirals and barrel char to impart big, full flavor into New Belgium’s high rye base ale. “We could have simply barrel-aged some ale, or rested beer on barrel staves, but that wouldn’t have given us the amazing freshness…

Josh Diercks Takes First Place in Shipwreck Rum’s Cocktail Competition

High-profiled mixologists competed for first place in the Brinley Gold Shipwreck Rum Cocktail Competition which took place on high seas off the coast of California. Well, they were calm seas in the idyllic Marina Del Rey, in Los Angeles but the evening was pretty exciting either way. Josh Diercks, a bartender at A&O Kitchen and Bar in Newport Beach. Josh Diercks, a bartender at A&O Kitchen and Bar in Newport Beach nabbed first place with his  creation, Prestige Worldwide…

5 Cocktail Recipes To Upsell Your Menu On National Vodka Day

Like all good things vintage, vodka is making a resurgence (although it remains the world’s most popular spirit) and is officially trending for fall—just in time for National Vodka Day (10/4/18). We’ve got the Top 5 List of Autumnal Vodka Cocktails that will get your customers in the fall and spendy mood. So, take this opportunity to capitalize on National Vodka DayThursday October 4th by changing up your menu and offering something new and for a limited time, to pique customers’ interest and get them grading-up to handcrafted cocktails.