Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/670021
9 6 V I N E YA R D & W I N E RY M A N A G E M E N T | M a y - J u n e 2 016 w w w. v w m m e d i a . c o m The first day kicked off with a VESTA sensory evaluation work- shop, led by instructor Melba Allen, which focused on white w i n e s a n d i n c l u d e d t a s t i n g methodology, sensory compo- nents, faults and flaws. Allen's very calm, personal approach and excellent ability to describe complex subjects in a clear, con- cise manner kept students well engaged throughout this day- long course. Meantime, exhibitors began setting up on the trade show floor and were invited to a recep- tion following setup at the adjoin- ing Embassy Suites hotel lounge. You can't go wrong with that. The beer track began on the same day. Steve Parkes, founder of the American Brewers Guild, led the first session, which cov- ered the challenges faced when going pro (upscaling). The next session, led by Jamie Bogner, chief content officer of Craft Beer & Brewing and Corey King, brewer and owner of Side Proj- ect Brewing (King won eighth best brewer in the world at Rate Beer this year), covered acidity analysis. Participants received four beer samples and six acid samples to taste and gain a bet- ter understanding of the effects of pH and titanic acidity levels, as well as a demonstration about the difference in taste between lactic and acetic acid. The pair also led the third session, which discussed creative ownership strategies for building longevity within the brewing industry. Day two started off with part two of the VESTA sensory evalu- ation workshop, where Allen focused on red wines. The trade show floor opened at noon with a delicious buffet lunch. A sec- ond two-part VESTA workshop, led by Dr. Barry Gump, covered a detailed look at wine chemistry from start to finish. Other wine sessions included a close look at how to succeed in the Mid- west wine business, led by Dr. Dean Volenberg of the University of Missouri and Todd Steiner of Craft Beverages Unlimited Midwest & East Scene at: his year, Craft Beverages Unlimited visited St. Louis, Mo., and Asheville, N.C., featuring informational workshops, sessions and trade show exhibitors from the wine, craft beer and spirits industries. Both events featured an alliance of Vineyard & Winery Man- agement, Craft Beer & Brewing and Distiller magazines to create the full experience. In St. Louis, Midwest Wine Press joined in on the action. Craft Beverages Unlimited Midwest St. Charles, Mo., Feb. 3 to 5, 2016 1 2