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.
Photos by Ian Magiros, MS Walker.