The Spire Collection continued March launch activities in Rhode Island with a sommelier luncheon showcasing the wines led by Master Sommelier John Blazon, who is also the line’s Vice President of Sales; Ian Magiros, Sommelier & On-Premise Key Account Specialist, MS Walker; and Brian Sweeney, Senior Vice President, Spire Collection at The Salted Slate in Providence. Attendees included sommeliers Ali Quero, Ceviches; Steffen Rasch, Persimmon; Jaimie Puckett, University Club; and Stephanie Steed, 22 Bowen. Blazon led a blind tasting, walking through varietal characteristics of Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, accompanied by a luncheon showcasing all the newly launched luxury wines encompassing estates throughout the world. While the luncheon showcased eight wines, four whites and four reds, the entire Spire Collection includes wine from various estates and regions: Cardinale, Mt. Brave, La Jota, Lokoya and Galerie from California’s Napa Valley; Vérité, Cenyth, Anakota, Stonestreet and WindRacer from Sonoma County; Maggy Hawk from Anderson Valley; Zena Crown, Gran Moraine and Penner-Ash from Oregon’s Willamette Valley; Château Lassègue, a grand cru Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux; Arcanum near Siena in Tuscany; Capensis from South Africa; and Hickinbotham, Yangarra and Giant Steps, each from Australia.
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- Hickinbotham The Revivalist Merlot, Anakota Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, La Jota Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Mt. Brave Mt. Vedeer Napa were among reds from The Spire Collection.
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- Gran Moraine Brut Rosé, Capensis Chardonnay, Gran Moraine Chardonnay and Stonestreet Estee Vineyards Chardonnay were among white wines from The Spire Collection.
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- Master Sommelier John Blazon of the Spire Collection holds a blind tasting at The Salted Slate. Blazon serves as Vice President of Sales for the Spire Collection, a luxury-driven division representing the artisan brands from the Jackson Family.
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- Master Sommelier John Blazon of the Spire Collection and Sommelier Ali Quero, Ceviches.
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- Capensis Chardonnay 2016, Western Cape, South Africa.
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- Gran Moraine Yamhill Carlton Brut Rosé, Willamette Valley, Oregon.
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- Anakota Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019.
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- La Jota Vineyards Howell Mountain Estate, 2018 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon.
Photos by Ian Magiros, MS Walker.
