Ten years of sipping with Select Brands

Wine and spirits distributor Select Brands is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The company first opened their doors and The Rock’s palates to a wide array of beverages on November 11, 2011, when industry veterans Andrew Desnoes and David McConnell joined forces to build their dream into one of the leading wine and spirits companies in the Caribbean.

In one of the many slated celebrations for the 10-year milestone, a small group of guests, including Food, were invited to ‘Sip With Select’ and explore Italy through wine and bites on November 23 at Uncorked Too in Kingston.

A bubbly delight of delicate pear and apple aromas with a crisp finish in the form of Santa Margherita Prosecco, greeted invitees on arrival. Once seated at the Constant Spring Road location, to open appetites, guests indulged in a rich and flavourful tomato gazpacho shot, followed by the antipasti (appetizer) of seared scallops with a tart apple slaw that paired ever so perfectly with the Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio, which embodies the fragrances and flavours of golden apples and citrus.

For the primi piatti (first plate), guests noshed on a roasted salmon with a rosemary balsamic reduction served with a comforting black rice pudding and cracked pepper buttered green beans that teamed impeccably with a Santa Margherita Rosé.

The tour of the European republic continued with a secondi piatti (second plate) of steak medallions with a herb mushroom tapenade, served with parmesan reggiano mashed potatoes paired with a Sassoregale Sangiovese, a red wine from Tuscany.

PRAISES TO STAFF

Last on the menu was the dolce (dessert), which was a vanilla bean and limoncello panna cotta that would make the sternest Italian grandmother grin. Coupled with a Caravella Limoncello, a bright, refreshing Italian spirit made with fresh juice and tart, earthy peels of lemons from the Amalfi Coast, once the dinner was complete, all in attendance had nothing but praise for the Uncorked Too staff, and Debra Taylor-Smith, luxury portfolio manager of Select Brands, thanked all in attendance.

Over the past 10 years, Select Brands has diversified the appreciation of Jamaicans, becoming distributors of imported brands that many have grown to love. From Stone’s Ginger Wine to Usain Bolt’s favourite champagne, GH Mumm, Select Brands’ brands have had quite a decade. “To say that I am grateful and humbled by our team’s growth over the past 10 years would be an understatement,” says Desnoes. “We have a dedicated team who are loyal and committed to the success of our company, and we are grateful for them.” While it’s an accomplishment for any company to achieve 10 years, it’s particularly significant for Select Brands and its 90-plus team members. “This milestone is not ours alone; we have assembled a team of highly qualified wine and spirits specialists in every department,” says co-founder, McConnell. “It’s been an amazing thing to witness.” Cheers to 10.

debra.edwards@gleanerjm.com