As bright and boisterous as a joy ride in a Tijuana taxi, El Vez exudes fun at every conceivable turn.
The flashy, frenetic Latin decor, featuring high-backed velvet Hollywood booths and an eye-popping low-rider bike elevated above the dining room, creates the perfect conditions for memorable food and drink.
Unexpected interpretations of Mexican classics join traditional cooking on the expansive menu, complemented by a bar that boasts one of the biggest tequila selections — and the best margaritas — in the city. Striking the ideal balance between a south-of-the-border celebration and a hot and flashy Las Vegas blowout, El Vez is the embodiment of Mex-Eclectic spirit.
OPEN FOR PICKUP, DELIVERY, INDOOR AND OUTDOOR DINING
Is This the Dominican Ozama Rum Philly Didn’t Know It Needed? Big Papi Thinks So.
In a region that prides itself on loyalty, grit, and a good pour, Hall-of-Fame baseball legend David Ortiz—yes, “Big Papi” himself—is making a bold new play far from Fenway Park. But this time, it’s not with a bat. It’s with a bottle.
Ortiz has just launched Ozama Rum, a 100% Dominican-made, ultra-premium spirit that’s already raising eyebrows (and glasses) from Swarthmore to Chesterbrook. And while Philadelphia is famously a whiskey-and-beer town at heart, this rum is built to challenge your expectations—and maybe even your liquor shelf.
“To me, Ozama isn’t just about rum, it’s about identity, pride, and progress,” Ortiz says. “I wanted to build something that celebrates the energy and soul of my people and shows the world what we’re made of. It’s always been important for me to do things the right way, which is why this labor of love has been one of the most rewarding projects of my career. I can’t wait for people to try it! They say that perfection doesn’t exist, but you can get close to it.”
From Santo Domingo to the Schuylkill: Ozama Rum Arrives
Named after the Ozama River in Ortiz’s hometown of Santo Domingo, Ozama Rum is a full-circle project for the former MLB star. Every drop is born, aged, and bottled in the Dominican Republic—from fresh-pressed sugarcane to oak barrel aging (for a minimum of one year), with no shortcuts or outsourcing. It proudly carries the Ron Dominicano denominación de origen, certifying it as a true product of the island.
This isn’t the kind of celebrity-branded spirit you buy once and forget. It’s built for drinkers who care about craftsmanship, story, and serious flavor.
Ozama launches with three distinct expressions, each one capturing a different note in the Dominican rum legacy:
Ozama Blanco: Bright and crisp with citrus and a whisper of white pepper. Ideal for daiquiris, mojitos, or sipping neat in your backyard in Penn Wynne.
Ozama Añejo: A rich, copper-toned rum with hints of chocolate, toffee, and warm spice. Smooth enough to replace your bourbon in an Old Fashioned.
Ozama Gran Añejo: Silky and deep with notes of dates, raisins, honey, and fine wood. The kind of pour that deserves your best glass and a quiet evening.
With prices between $25 and $40 for a 700ml bottle, Ozama is positioned as an accessible indulgence—whether you’re picking it up from a premium bottle shop in Center City or mixing cocktails at a family cookout in Chesterbrook.
Rum’s Renaissance—and Philly’s Perfect Timing
According to Global View Research, the global rum market hit $11.77 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow by over 5.6% annually through 2030. Craft rum, in particular, is rising as consumers turn to artisanal, culturally rooted spirits. That’s good news for Philly, where diverse culinary traditions meet a growing appetite for unique, quality liquor—especially from Black- and Latinx-owned brands.
Ozama Rum fits the moment. And Ortiz isn’t just a face on the label. He worked closely with Dominican distillers and Abbott Wolfe, CEO of Drink2Success, to ensure the product had integrity, vision, and real impact.
“From day one, David had a clear vision to create an ultra-premium rum that feels authentic, vibrant, and undeniably Dominican—it was important to him to spotlight the Dominican Republic and at the same time give back to the community that raised him,” Wolfe said.
A Spirit That Gives Back
Beyond its refined flavor, Ozama carries a mission. Two percent of its profits will be directed to cleanup efforts around the Ozama River and to community-building projects in the Dominican Republic. It’s the kind of built-in social impact that resonates with Philly’s values-driven drinkers—especially younger generations.
Where to Try Ozama Rum in Philadelphia
Ozama is available now at drinkozama.com and is beginning to roll out in select stores and venues in the Northeast—including Pennsylvania. While you may not see it on every bar in Old City just yet, insiders say local mixologists are already experimenting with it behind the scenes.
Expect to see Ozama popping up at Latin-inspired restaurants in South Philly, rooftop lounges in Rittenhouse, and maybe even your next tailgate in FDR Park.
Final Thoughts: Philly’s Rum Moment Starts Here
Ozama Rum isn’t trying to be flashy. It’s not a gimmick. It’s a high-quality, hand-crafted, heritage-driven spirit with a story as deep as its flavor—and Big Papi’s passion is in every bottle.
“They say that perfection doesn’t exist,” Ortiz says. “But you can get close to it.”
In Philly, where we respect heart, hustle, and something with real roots? That might be close enough.
Would you like to add a sidebar with cocktail recipes or recommendations for where Ozama might pair best with Philly cuisine?
WWE and Seagram Escape Spiked Just Tag Teamed on a Boozy Banger—and Philly’s First in Line to Crack It Open
Wrestling and beer. If there’s a better pairing for the City of Brotherly Love, we haven’t found it yet.
In a move that’s got South Philly popping and the Northeast buzzing, WWE has officially entered the beverage ring with its first-ever ready-to-drink alcoholic product, and they’re doing it with flavor-forward heavyweight Seagram’s Escapes Spiked. The two icons just dropped a multi-year partnership, and the new WWE-branded drinks are already hitting shelves all over Philly.
Whether you’re grabbing a cold one for a backyard wrestling watch party in Fishtown, tailgating before a WWE Live event at the Wells Fargo Center, or just stocking the fridge at your neighborhood deli, the new Seagram’s Escapes Spiked WWE Series is made to hit like a chair shot—and go down smoother than a Stone Cold stunner.
Philly’s Wrestling Legacy Meets Its New Favorite Drink
Let’s not forget—Philadelphia is wrestling royalty. This city gave us ECW. We’ve packed the Spectrum, sold out the Wells Fargo Center, and brought serious heat to WWE, AEW, and every indie fed that’s dared to step between the ropes. So it’s only fitting that Philly gets to be one of the first cities to crack open WWE’s newest creation.
“Seagram’s has a rich history of innovation and a deep commitment to authenticity, making it the ideal partner to go to market with our first-ever licensed ready-to-drink product,” said Grant Norris-Jones, Executive Vice President and Head of Global Partnerships for TKO Group Holdings, WWE’s parent company. “Philly fans bring unmatched passion—and we wanted to bring this launch to cities that know how to show up.”
Show up? This is Philly. We throw snowballs at Santa. We boo our own draft picks. And we’ve been showing up loud for wrestling for decades.
The Flavor Card: A Main Event Lineup
Seagram’s Escapes Spiked WWE Series debuts with three bold, bodyslam-worthy flavors that were clearly designed with Philly’s taste buds in mind. This isn’t your average backyard seltzer. These are full-flavored malt beverages, and they’re coming in hot:
Rumble Punch™ – A remix of the classic Jamaican Me Happy, this flavor brings strawberry, watermelon, lemon, and guava together in one tropical haymaker. It’s the kind of drink you’d sip while screaming “E-C-Dub!” in a backyard kiddie pool in Kensington.
Pineapple Powerhouse™ – With juicy pineapple, cherry, and lime, this flavor feels like the afterparty to a surprise cash-in—sweet, citrusy, and absolutely electric. Perfect for rooftop parties in Northern Liberties or tailgates at the Linc.
Slammin’ Blueberry™ – A tag-team blend of blueberry and lemon that hits crisp and clean, made for easy drinking during a hot August night watching SummerSlam.
Each flavor is 8% ABV, unapologetically bold, and available now in Philly-area retailers, from Center City liquor shops to corner delis in South Philly.
Superstars, Stores, and Citywide Showdowns
This isn’t just about cans on shelves. As part of the partnership, Seagram’s Spiked is now an Official Partner of WWE, meaning you’ll see the brand front and center during Premium Live Events like Money in the Bank® (June 7), SummerSlam®, and Survivor Series®.
Expect enhanced match sponsorships, custom digital content featuring your favorite WWE Superstars, and yes—in-person appearances from Superstars right here in Philly.
Imagine bumping into a former champ at your local Acme or grabbing a selfie with a WWE Superstar at your favorite beer distributor in the Northeast. It’s all on the table.
“Our collaboration with WWE marks an exciting moment for Seagram’s Spiked as we connect with WWE’s global audience—and Philly’s local fans who bring energy like nowhere else,” said Jaime Polisoto, brand director of Seagram’s Escapes. “Our sales team is thrilled to bring the excitement of WWE into Philadelphia’s stores and create unforgettable fan experiences.”
It’s Not Just a Drink. It’s a Pop.
Philly doesn’t do subtle. We do flavor. We do passion. And we do loyalty. That’s why this partnership works—it’s for fans who know every chant, who still talk about the time The Rock came through South Street, and who treat every PLE like it’s WrestleMania at the Vet.
So whether you’re cracking open a can after a shift in Brewerytown, posting up with friends in Fairmount, or pregaming in your Rhawnhurst backyard with your Bluetooth speaker on full blast, the WWE x Seagram’s Spiked Series is your new go-to.
Taraji P. Henson’s Seven Daughters Moscato Sets Sail with Princess Cruises — and Philly’s Invited to the Party
Taraji P. Henson is serving up more than fierce roles and red-carpet moments—now she’s pouring the perfect glass of Moscato, and she wants Philly to come sip it at sea.
That’s right, the award-winning actress, entrepreneur, and all-around queen just teamed up with Princess Cruises to bring her Seven Daughters Moscato to their Love Lines Premium Liquors Collection. And while she may be Hollywood royalty, Taraji’s wine is all heart—sweet, vibrant, and a whole lot of fun. Sound familiar, Philly?
“Seven Daughters is more than just a bottle of wine; it’s a celebration in a glass,” said Henson. “Our Moscato is inviting, refreshing, and perfect for moments of connection which is what makes this partnership with Princess Cruises so amazing. Now we can experience this feeling with people from around the world, whether they’re toasting under the stars or relaxing on the open sea.”
Let’s be real—after dodging potholes on Broad Street, waiting too long for your Wawa order, and sitting through another frustrating season of Philly sports (we still love you, Birds), you deserve a drink. And not just any drink—a crisp, lightly sweet Moscato with notes of tropical fruit and honeysuckle, made to help you unwind like you actually took a vacation day.
Princess Cruises knows a good thing when they taste it. “Princess Cruises is committed to curating distinctive, high-quality experiences for our guests, and Seven Daughters aligns seamlessly with that vision,” said Sami Kohen, VP of Food and Beverage. “Taraji’s Moscato reflects a bold yet approachable style that we know our guests will love.”
Translation? This wine’s got the same attitude as a Philly native in line at Reading Terminal: real, bold, and a little bit sweet when it counts.
And don’t worry, Taraji isn’t rolling solo in this celebrity liquor squad. Her Seven Daughters joins a star-studded bar cart featuring Jason Momoa (yes, Aquaman) and Blaine Halvorson’s Meili Vodka, Camila and Matthew McConaughey’s Pantalones Organic Tequila, Blake Lively’s Betty Booze and Buzz, Liev Schreiber’s Sláinte Irish Whiskey, Jason Aldean’s Melarosa wines, Romero Britto’s Love Prosecco, and Kylie Minogue’s No Alcohol Sparkling Rosé.
Still, let’s keep it 100—none of them bring the same heat as Taraji. She’s got grit, glamour, and a wine that says, “let’s dance on the deck and then eat something greasy at midnight.”
And Philly folks? You don’t have to fly across the country to get in on the action. Princess Cruises offers sailings from nearby ports like Brooklyn and Baltimore, so you can trade I-95 traffic for ocean views real quick. Book a weekend cruise and suddenly, you’re sipping Seven Daughters while someone else does the cooking. Imagine that.
So whether you’re a Center City cocktail snob, a Fishtown foodie, or just someone who appreciates a damn good glass of wine, Taraji’s got you. This isn’t just a celebrity brand slapped on a bottle. It’s a whole vibe. A celebration. And a reminder that every Philly girl (and guy) deserves to be treated like royalty—preferably with a Moscato in hand, looking out over the ocean.
Catch you on the ship. And don’t forget to raise a glass to Taraji when you do.
For more on the Love Lines Premium Liquors Collection, head to www.princess.com.
Love a Quality Martini? Whiskey Old Fashioned? Knox & Dobson Introduces Superior Ready-To-Drink Bottled Cocktails
Knox & Dobson toasts to their new collection of premium ready-to-drink bottled cocktails that are expertly designed to be shared with friends, so simply…
Open, Pour, and Enjoy!
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Knox & Dobson’s new bottled cocktail collection was meticulously curated with an uncompromising commitment to excellence in quality, craftsmanship, and taste by Knox & Dobson President Rob Levy and Creative Director Peter Lloyd Jones (The Raymond 1886, Everson Royce Bar) who heads Knox & Dobson’s formulation and product development.
Featuring a gin Martini, classic Old Fashioned, Improved Whiskey Cocktail with Maraska Maraschino Liqueur, and Rye Manhattan, Knox & Dobson uses the highest quality ingredients including hand-selected barrel aged whiskey, distilled gin, natural cane sugar, and authentic Angostura Bitters.
From the award-winning design of the bottle, these superior bottled cocktails were solely created so expertly handcrafted cocktails could be shared and effortlessly enjoyed anywhere.
“Our mission was to create a collection of cocktails that were equal in taste and quality to those freshly crafted by a skilled bartender. Peter Lloyd Jones was the best choice, and I can’t imagine working with anyone better, “
says Levy.
“Pete was Head Barman at 1886 Bar at The Raymond and he was also behind the stick at Everson Royce Bar for several years, so his experience is invaluable, and his passion and creativity make him the perfect partner at Knox & Dobson.”
Levy’s upbringing in Skokie, Illinois, at Knox Avenue and Dobson Street is where Levy spent most of his adolescence in the ‘60s and 70’s hanging out “on the corner” with neighborhood kids who remain lifelong friends.
Knox & Dobson is as much an elevated on-the-go craft beverage experience as it is a distillation of hometown pride and a love of bringing people together.
Each Knox & Dobson bottled cocktail is 200 milliliters and features two servings. Whether you are a classic Martini drinker (34% ABV), this is a take on the classic combining gin with dry vermouth to create a flavor profile of an aromatic gin martini that is slightly earthy and refreshing to drink. Lloyd Jones recommends serving this cocktail up or over ice, garnished with olives.
Old Fashioned aficionados (38% ABV) can savor this cocktail which consists of straight aged bourbon, natural cane sugar, orange oil and Angostura Bitters with tastes of aged bourbon with bright citrus flavors, bitters, raw cinnamon, clove, and American oak.
The Improved Whiskey Cocktail (35.42% ABV) – made with straight aged rye whiskey, Maraska Maraschino Liqueur and Angostura bitters – has a spiced flavor profile combined with American oak, citrus, along with bright and deep cherry notes.
This is a whiskey cocktail that is meant to be sipped and savored.
Finally, the Rye Manhattan (36% ABV) is made with straight aged rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and Angostura bitters. The tantalizing pairing of the aged whiskey combined with the aromatic Italian-style vermouth creates a spice, citrus and charred oakwood profile that will have anyone asking for another round.
Who’s ready for happy hour? And, if your go-to cocktail isn’t on the menu just yet, don’t worry. The Knox &Dobson bar cart will be rolling this Summer with more cocktails on the way and no shortage of inspiration.
Knox & Dobson’s new collection of superior bottled cocktails are best served chilled or over ice and each cocktail features two servings, perfect for sharing, so simply chill, Open, Pour, and Enjoy!
Knox & Dobson is available for delivery anywhere Nationwide, so visit www.KnoxandDobson to order your new favorite bottled cocktails today. Knox & Dobson is now available at 15 Total Wine & More California stores – Brea, Daly City, Long Beach, Northridge, Pasadena, Rancho Cucamonga, Redondo Beach, Roseville, San Diego, San Jose, San Mateo, San Ramon, Temecula, Thousand Oaks, Tustin and soon to be in all 28Total Wine & More California stores; Bristol Farms South Pasadena and soon to be in all 14 Bristol Farms California stores; Bar Keeper Los Angeles; Cypress Liquor Los Angeles; Everson Royce Bar Pasadena; Gerlach’s Pasadena; Highland Park Wine; K&L Wine Merchants in Los Angeles and San Francisco; and The Ace Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles. To see the full list of locations, please visit Knox & Dobson’sFind a Stockist.
Philly Foodies: Chilli No 5 ‘Sauce of Life’ Brings BIG Flavor …and Superfoods to Your Next Meal with an unmistakable spicy hit, combined with superfoods & health supplements.
Providing the flavorful gourmet vegan chilli sauces & gift sets using the most natural & healthy ingredients.
Chilli No 5 Brings ‘Superfood Sorcery’ and Big Flavor
Delivering the best range of your favorite international flavors of chilli, marinades and BBQ hot sauces.
Co-founder Rumble Romagnoli joined me for a conversation about food, family, making chilli healthier and bringing their award-winning chilli sauce to the masses.
Chilli No. 5 Co-founder Rumble Romagnoli
The below conversation has been edited for length and clarity. Find the full, un-edited conversation at our YouTube channel.
When you think about hot sauce, can you tell us about a celebration or a memory, something in life that inspired you to get so excited about hot sauce?
Rumble Romagnoli: Yeah when we’re smaller and we’re in the kitchen, it’s such a magical experience, isn’t it?
I had a real Italian Nonna so an Italian grandmother who always had bubbling pots and pastas and, Mules and fish and meat. My mother and my sister; so great moments as a child cooking in the kitchen and then out on the dining table with all the family.
It was great and now I love cooking and it makes me really relaxed. Just zoning out, cooking for the family, growing my own vegetables, chilies and then gathering around tables with friends and family just to enjoy. And that’s really where this all started.
What does day to day life look like for you. How did you decide to split up some of that time with a hot sauce endeavor?
Rumble Romagnoli: You remember COVID wasn’t really a nice time for anyone. We were there in a small apartment with lots of small children. It was chaos.
We couldn’t see our friends. We couldn’t see our family. They were all over the world and it was desperate times. So I suppose setting up Chili No. 5 was all about this kind of wanting to get back together with people enjoying moments and being together, sharing and getting fresh, healthy food and not lining up in the supermarket.
Chilli No 5 Brings ‘Superfood Sorcery’ and Big Flavor
A lot of chefs who I was very friendly with all had lost their jobs. I was like, Hey, can you make sauce? They’re like, yeah, of course I can. So that’s how it all started.
And we started trying out new flavors and we love world cooking. So that’s how Chilli No 5 started.
From your Chilli expert point of view, what should someone look for on a label that lets us know this is a quality chilli sauce?
Rumble Romagnoli: I think you guys are better at it than us to be fair. You’re fanatics; incredible.
I’m not a real expert. I just love creating great food for my family and friends. And we’ve tried to make… The best world hot sauces but they’re not going to blow your head off. It’s not really a hot sauce. They are chilli sauces.
Chilli No 5 variety of flavors
What I think you should be looking for on the bottle is: great ingredients, as many as you can get. No numbers, no coloring, no baddies.
I’m looking for just superfoods and anything that’s gonna make me glow.
In my world, when I think of chili sauce and hot sauces, I don’t always think of superfoods.
Tell me a little bit about where the idea came from to so strongly cross over superfoods with chili.
Rumble Romagnoli: I love spice and tingling on my tongue and that kind of rush you get from that spice and hot. The hot sauce or the flakes or the chili oil. My wife loves to be healthy. Happy wife, happy life they say, so I just combined.
I was doing something more spicy and she says, why don’t you put some good stuff in there? And I’d been reading a lot about Guana ginseng, maca; and all of these are in our sources. These are natural supplements that you buy in the shop. You have some of that and it really picks you up, increases your concentration, which I need for long days. I need more energy. I’m getting older. So I was like, hey let’s just put them in the hot sauce and then you got the best of both worlds. So that’s the superfood sauce or superfood sorcery we like to say.
That was all my wife’s doing to be honest.
I feel like a lot of chilli sauces are just gunk. When I think superfoods, I think health. Is your Chilli No 5 a health food?
Rumble Romagnoli: Absolutely. I’ll pick out one of these bottles.I wouldn’t say a healthy hot sauce. I would say a hot sauce full of healthy ingredients because you never know there are some sugars in here and you never know what people will find healthy or not healthy.
But we’ve got in this Jamaican jerk, which is great on a barbecue chicken as a marinade as a condiment as a barbecue sauce. We’ve got fresh red onions, fresh spring onions. Chilli No 9 chili. Fresh chilies, which are all really healthy for you. There’s ginger. There’s garlic. There’s lemon. There’s lime. There’s agave syrup.
We tried to tone down the sugar but keep it a little bit sweet, apple cider vinegar, we’ve got, extra virgin olive oil. It goes on black garlic, thyme, nutmeg, allspice, black pepper, guarana, maca, Ginseng, l arginine. It doesn’t stop. That is packed to the rims, full of healthy ingredients.
We’ve tried to put the healthiest ingredients we could find and make it as tasty as possible using these ingredients and authentic to Jamaica and their jerk sauce.
It’s a sauce packed full of healthy superfood antioxidant ingredients and that’s maybe why it’s winning all these awards for taste.
Because bottom line is it has to taste nice before being healthy.
Nobody wants a science flavored chili. So I agree with that. Let’s talk about some of your favorite flavors.
Rumble Romagnoli: It’s hard because we have over 15 sources. But one of my favorites which you’d probably love as well is the Mexican Fury. My sister lives in Guadalajara in Mexico. She left the UK and went all around South America and ended up finding a lovely guy and settled down there.
Mexican food is fantastic. It’s just really great. Full of flavors and all sorts of different ingredients that we can’t grow in the UK or in Europe. You guys have got such great weather down there in the South, Miami, Florida. Texas, Mexico between the South of the U. S. and the North of Mexico.
So you’ve got the jalapenos which are just incredible. We’ve got all of these beautiful chilies, the habanero come up with an automatically smoky flavor when mixed with the red peppers, the tomatoes, the red onions. They fuse this on the palate to really pair very well with chicken, prawns, tacos, burritos or even egg for breakfast or pancakes.
The Mexican Fury is a really good one. We won 16 awards for different sauces. I love chipotle, anything smoky in our Louisiana barbecue. We’ve tried to tone down the sugar, add a bit of cognac whiskey, bourbon whiskey. We’ve added the classic American ingredients in there to make a kind of healthy style Louisiana barbecue.
Then the harissa is a great one. It’s really popular. it’s North African full of caraway seeds, cumin seeds, olive oil, lots of of incredible deep ingredients that really sit on the back of the tongue. There’s lots of ingredients there that kind of bring your food to life.
We want to bring life and energy into a barbecue situation, dinner with granny, breakfast before work, sandwich on the bench in Manhattan.
Tell us a little bit about the competitions you’ve entered.
Rumble Romagnoli: We were only a year old and we’d come up with these sauces and we’d thought they were good. The founder Chef Colin and then we had a team of chefs working in our London kitchen and our South of France kitchen and we entered the Great Taste Awards.
These are quite big awards in the UK but it’s international awards where all kind of fine foods, gourmet foods are tested by panels of hundreds of judges. It’s quite a strict competition.
So first year we came in and we won seven stars for 11 products. We’re very happy. It was incredible. The Jamaican jerk really got a good one. The heavenly Harissa came in very well. Our chilli oil called Pizza Pizzazz.
Our chili flakes are all fresh and lovely coming from all sides of the world. Carolina Reaper, the Scorpion, the Habanero, the Ghost, the Number 5 chili from India.
We watched and read all of the judges’ comments and we’re so thankful that they really detailed about acidity, balance, flavor structures.
Then we reworked it. We played around with ingredient quality, we changed vinegars slightly, the cooking process. We started baking the vegetables, the peppers, the onions, the red onions. The tomatoes really started getting more flavor. We put in a bit of olive oil at the start to get the flavors moving around.
Then we came in this year with 13 awards out of 16. With our 7, that makes 16 of our total products have won awards by the Great Taste Awards.
We want to create the best chilli sauces on the planet. That’s my mission.
How is Chilli No 5 going to grow and evolve?
Rumble Romagnoli: It’s happening quite quickly and we have a B2C strategy and service strategy.
We want to have the most delicious sauces in every category. We’re just working on each recipe and we think if we make the best sauce, people are going to love the best sauce, and then they’re going to buy the best sauce.
A bit like Apple, just make the best products and people just keep buying them We’re getting into big stores in the UK, placements in Monaco.
We are in lots of great high end butchers, delicatessens and it’s going really well.
So we’ve got this B2B strategy. We need to impress the professionals. We’ve impressed the people who love healthy lifestyle, love delicious sauce, gourmet. But now we have to impress the industry.
Obviously coming to America is the big move.
Tell us all the ways we can learn more about Chilli No. 5 Tell us your website, social media.
We’re also quite present for hot sauce gift sets. We do five or six incredible hot sauce gift sets which are collections of the sauces. And we’ve got mini little minis and you can make your own you can personalize because we’ve got 15 sauces.
We’re very big at Christmas. Very big at Father’s Day, Thanksgiving and we will send the sauces over to you guys in the states. No problem. If anything breaks, if anything’s damaged, we will refund you and resend you the sauce you ordered because that’s the least we can do.
Languedoc Wines bring flavor and French history to NYC, led by Advanced Sommelier Erik Segelbaum, with the goal of more restaurant exposure and happy diners.
Langeudoc is a postcard perfect area of sloped hills, lush ocean views and deep horizons in Southern France nestled along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, the famous Rhone river and Provence in the east.
Curious wine drinkers eyes just perked up. Why? Those who understand, know the area has a lot of magic.
While the land is not as known as illustrious neighbors Bordeaux and Rhone, its quality is competitive and its price tag is far more attractive.
The Languedoc region produces conversation bottles.
It’s the bottle someone reaches across the table for – because it’s different, it’s more of a mystery – and that person’s palate is in the mood to investigate a playful pairing.
All these curious reasons led me to NYC’s The Winery for a masterclass of learning and tasting.
Advanced Sommelier Erik Segelbaum
Luckily we were led by Advanced Sommelier Erik Segelbaum, who has more than 30 years of experience, was named Food & Wine Magazine’s 2019 Sommelier of the Year and 2020 Wine Enthusiast 40 and 40 Tastemaker.
Beyond the credentials, what makes Erik great for today’s class is his unique approach.
See, Langeudoc hopes to get their wines in more restaurants: in today’s class more than half the people in the room work in NYC restaurants and wine bars and Erik understands that territory very well. He has been Beverage Director, Head Somm, Wine Director at restaurants around the country – so he knows how to explain to the restaurants how to get these bottles onto their wine lists and how to sell them – smart move by Languedoc!
The History
Languedoc has a robust and varied history with winemaking proving their villages keep innovating and the world follows.
The story starts back in the 1200s (when they were discovering wine fortification) and fast-forwards to the 1700s when a twist of fate forced the vineyards to move up the hillside – which became an unexpected blessing as the grapes flourished even better in their new, windier climate.
We keep going and in 1903, the area was a pioneer launching the world’s first organic expo. Something that even today, over a 100 years later, many competitors around the world are still behind on.
Some wines with bold, chewy tannins? Yes. Others with refreshing acidity? Yes.
We’ll get to tasting shortly.
But let’s spend a brief moment understanding the area that’s creating such vibrant flavors.
Languedoc Land
Five large areas with over 20 AOPs and those twenty are grouped in three very different climates: Mediterranean Coast, Atlantic Coast, Hills and Mountains.
Mediterranean, as you might imagine, offers long, warm summers with heavy sunshine and mild winters harvesting grapes Piquepoul, Bourboulenc, Clairette and Muscat.
Atlantic is quite different with consistent chills and cross-winds that deliver Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Chardonnay grapes.
Pacific, as you’d expect from the pattern emerging, is even more different. It’s intense. Dry and hot in the summer, cold in the winter. Warm days, cool nights. And this vigorous energy delivers rich, tannic reds like Mouvedre and Syrah.
Languedoc’s Future
Much like the wines themselves, Langedoc’s future continues to open up more and more showing a sense of depth, complexity – while, yes, also being ready to go today.
Nine of their wineries are less than 20 years old. They are a leader in the “Old World” turning toward organic and eco-friendly treatments. They’re excited to reach a new generation of younger wine drinkers with their message and their culture.
So, let’s have a taste.
There were over 20 wines being poured, showcasing varieties from sparkling to light white to big, bold reds. Everything from pairing with fresh oysters to gamey pheasant.
Here are my tasting highlights:
Domaine Saint-martin D’agel Le Pèlerin 2020
On the nose: juniper and fresh spices rise from the glass.
Mouth: soft, supple mouth feel, with relaxed tannins
The finish had an invigorating acidity.
Delicious to pair with grilled herbs.
Gerard Bertrand AN 825 Cremant de Limoux Brut Rose 2019
On the nose: effervescent, gushing with red fruit
Mouth: gush of strawberry;
Finish is crisp and refreshing.
Pair with citrus-dressed salads or even spicy BBQ,
Villa Noria La Serr Picpoul de Pinet
Nose: zesty, floral and refreshing
Mouth: lemony and citrus aromas with a lovely texture
Finish: bright, uplifting finish.
Pair with mussels and fresh oysters
Domaine de brau Cuvee Etymologie 2020
Nose: Aromas of red and black fruits
Mouth: A delicate mix of vegetation and spices
Finish: A clean, crisp finish
Pair with tri tip and roasted pheasant
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One comment on “El Vez Offer Upscale Eats for Flashy Night Out”
One comment on “El Vez Offer Upscale Eats for Flashy Night Out”