competition

French Champagne Loses To British Sparkling Wine in International Competition

Filed under: Wine

The Bollicine del Mondo is an international wine contest organized by Italy's leading wine magazine Euposia. Held at the famous restaurant Antico Bottega del Vino in Verona, Italy the contest revealed a surprise winner in the sparkling wine category. The winner this year was Nyetimber's Classic Cuvée 2003 produced in Sussex. It is probably the very first time a British wine maker has held the honors of producing the best bubbly in the world.

The contest winner was chosen in a blind taste test by a panel of winemakers, oenologists, sommeliers and journalists and beat out such established makers such as Bollinger and Louis Roederer. There were 52 entries in the category and Nyetimber was the only producer to have two wines make it into the top 17. The Nyetimber 2001 Blanc de Blancs, which was also entered, came in 12th ahead of seven of the champagnes.

Certainly there has been a growing appreciation recently of sparkling wines that are made outside the Champagne region of France. In fact, many people never have been exposed to the lovely sparkling wines that come from other countries such as Prosecco from Italy and Cava from Spain. Not only are these wines often just as good as Champagne but their price tag is significantly lower. The sparkling wines from England are no exception and retail for around £25 to £30.

Another point of interest is that the grapes used in the winning wine are grown on vines in the south of England whose soil composition is very similar to that of the Champagne region. In fact Luxist reported in 2007 that French champagne maker Roederer was investigating buying land in the very area that the winning vineyard is located. Stuart and Sandy Moss who own the vineyard specifically chose the 120 acre estate for this reason and started cultivating the three classic champagne varieties Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.

Tags: british, champagne, competition, england, France, sparkling wine, SparklingWine, wine, winning

Dewar's Goes Golfing with Callaway for Charity

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits, Charity, Sports

Dewar's Blended Scotch Whisky and Callaway Golf Company have teamed up to launch a nationwide sweepstakes and longest drive charity competition across the U.S. where each winner will win a $5,000 prize for the charity of their choice. The partnership coincides with the introduction of Callaway's Big Bertha Diablo Driver and Dewar's 18 Founder's Reserve Scotch (right).

There are three Sweepstakes Grand Prizes of a VIP Golf Experience, which include roundtrip travel for the winner and one guest to the Callaway facility in Carlsbad, California, hotel accommodations, meals, custom Callaway golf clubs professionally fitted by Callaway's experts, a Callaway golf bag and a round of golf with a Callaway-certified instructor. 10 Second Prizes of Callaway's new Big Bertha Diablo driver will also be given away.

The Dewar's and Callaway Golf Longest Drive Charity Competition event will take place in New York on June 24 as well as Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Dallas, Chicago, Boston, Atlanta and Miami. Each event will also include a special Dewar's sampling to celebrate the partnership with specially-created golf-themed cocktails. More info. and entries can be found anywhere Dewar's is sold as well as online at www.dewarsproshop.com.

Rare whiskies from the different regions of Scotland were carefully selected by the brand's Master Blender for Dewar's 18 Founder's Reserve. The color is a warm, golden amber; vanilla and toffee notes dominate the palette with a mellow, soft sweetness, lingering creaminess and a full bodied oakiness, followed by a long, soft and warming finish with a slight dryness.

Tags: Callaway, competition, Dewars, golf, Scotch, Scotland, whiskey, whisky

The Real Race

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Ever dreamed of being on "The Amazing Race" TV show but worried about having your worst moments captured for viewing audiences? For adventurous types The Real Race is the chance for 24 competitors to race around Australia for 17 days. The race leaves Sydney, Australia, on August 7 and 12 teams of two will perform various tasks and earn points. No Philiminations like on "The Amazing Race," everyone gets to compete in the whole race. No million dollar prize either but if you win your race is free. Activities will include mountain biking, kayaking, rafting, 4x4 wheel driving and skydiving. The early bird price is $11,820 until May 1.

[photo via Tourism Australia]

Source

Tags: adventure travel, australia, competition, journey, race