ASI April Newsletter, Alternative Packaging, Industry News, Important Dates

Trapiche recently opened a wine bar called Estacion 83 in the gardens of its historical winery (founded in 1883). Built from a refurbished freight train car once used to transport the harvested grapes, Estacion 83 is docked at the Trapiche winery in Maipo, Mendoza. A list of draft wines selected by Chief Winemaker Sergio Casé smash into street-food style cuisine from chef Lucas Bustos in the idyllic open-air landscape of the olive grove by the winery’s pond.

At Familia Torres, siblings Miguel and Mireia are continuing the work of four generations of their family: a dedication to quality wines and brandies while preparing for new challenges like climate change.

Miguel embodies a forward-looking legacy. Under his leadership, the family’s wines have come to represent the finest appellations of origin in Spain, all at a winery firmly committed to organic viticulture.

Mireia leads the Research Development and Investigation (RDI) efforts, including on-going studies into non-invasive methods in the vineyard, measures to adapt to climate change and natural treatments against new pests and potential threats to the vines

In a recent ASI poll, ASI asked 10 top somms from around the world what tool they rely on most. The answer was universal: the corkscrew. Chateau Laguiole, the world’s benchmark for professional corkscrews, is launching a new product line worthy of today’s sommelier: The Melchior collection. With a modern touch, a beveled handle, the Melchior announces its presence clearly and ensures an excellent grip of the sommelier knife.

MELCHIOR refers to the largest bottle of wine: 18 liters, the equivalent of twenty-four 750 ml bottles. The name is of Biblical origin: Melchior was considered the King of the Persians, one of the 3 Magi and a symbol of wisdom.

It is no coincidence that Chef&Sommelier has been an ASI partner for more than 10 years! The sommelier profession is a job for enthusiasts, the type of people willing to call wine the love of their lives. The sommelier’s role, of course, is service: opening, decanting, serving, and ultimately explaining the wine. And the quality of the wine tasting experience that the sommelier can offer to his guests depends strongly on the quality of the glasses in use.

Chef&Sommelier has long offered a wide range of glasses, from timeless to ultra-modern, to ensure sommeliers have the right tools to fit their wine pairings. Yet design is not everything. Because glasses in many restaurants will be used intensively, they must also be exceptionally durable.