There are very few occasions when any form of contest makes it’s way to Canada. While I receive information on cocktail competitions nearly every week, very few end up being eligible for those outside of the United States. So when I received an invite to G’Vine Gin’s latest offering, I was more than a little eager to participate.
G’Vine Gin, in case you’re unfamiliar, is one of a handful of recently-introduced spirits which tone down the classically-prevalent juniper flavouring present in most gins, to make way for other, softer, and arguably more palatable botanicals to shine. What sets G’Vine apart from the rest of the category is it’s base; rather than grain, G’Vine uses the Ugni Blanc / Trebianno grape, and distills it to neutral level. In addition to 9 other “classic” botanical flavours, such as ginger, cardamom, cassia, and more, G’Vine’s 10th botanical is synonymous with it’s base; the grape vine flower, which, according to G’vine, lends a “complex aroma of yellow and exotic fruits, banana, white flowers, and a hint of greenness and spiciness”.
But G’Vine’s Connoisseur Progam doesn’t just focus on their own brand. Through modules covering The History of Gin, The Making of Gin, How to Taste Spirits and Cocktails, and Gin Marketing, participants receive a rather thorough look at the whole gin category. With multiple choice testing after each module, and a particularly intense essay question at it’s conclusion, the G’Vine Gin Connoisseur’s program has put together something of incredible value to anyone looking to brush up on their gin knowledge. If you complete the course, here’s what you have a chance at winning:
Grand Prize
$3,000, a year’s supply of gin for your bar, a platinum vine-flower pin and an all-expenses-paid luxury tour for two, with flights, hotels, tailor-made clothes and Michelin 3-star tasting menus, around the three past, present and future cities of gin.
The Top 12 Finalists
But before the champion is crowned, the top twelve finalists from around the world are flown to France for a week of unique challenges and Connoisseur experiences: tastings, exams and seminars from master distillers, bar gurus, and leading aroma experts, culminating in you running your own one-man bar at the G’Vine Spring Ball in Paris. The twelve finalists include one from each of G’Vine’s largest international markets, plus at least one extra wild card from each of those markets, plus two global wild cards.
Top 20 in Each Country
And before then, the top 20 competitors in each country receive custom-made tools such as Gin Aroma Kits, and ice-ball moulds.
Even if you don’t see the program through to it’s completion, G’Vine has provided a training tool of tremendous value for bartenders across the world. The course, written by Philip Duff, is available free of charge, and if you’re interested, get started at the links below.
G’Vine Website: http://g-vine.com/home.php?page=connoisseurspres
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=143148150947&ref=ts
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He is available for speaking engagements, cocktail and service seminars and workshops, and writing opportunities. Now booking for Fall 2010, and into 2011. Any comments or inquiries can be addressed to the following:
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