Double gold for Hearst vodka: Rheault Distillery earns more accolades for homegrown spirits.

AuthorKelly, Lindsay
PositionSMALL BUSINESS

Hearst distillers Marcel Rheault and Mireille Morin have more acclaim to add to their growing collection of accolades after participating in the 2015 China Wine & Spirits Awards (CWSA).

In August, the pair earned a double gold medal for their Loon Vodka and a gold medal for their j Sinful Cherry Liqueur at the event, which Rheault deemed the "Oscars" of the wine and spirits tasting industry in China.

"It's a really big thing; it's going to open a lot of doors," Rheault said. "It's something to come out with a product and then get it approved by the people that are behind (the show). Then it's easier to sell it to the public, once you get ratings like that."

As the biggest and most prestigious wine and spirits competition in Hong Kong and China, the CWSA recruits the top 100 importers, distributors and retailers from across China as its judges. Earning a CWSA medal is a powerful endorsement of the quality and suitability of wine and spirits for the Chinese market.

Unlike sport-judging criteria--in which gold equals first place, silver rates second, and bronze comprises third--wine and spirits earn points based on their appearance, aroma and flavour, and so more than one spirit can earn the same medal.

But the criteria are stringent, and experienced judges know what to look for, Rheault said. His Loon Vodka had to earn between 95 and 100 points (out of 100) to receive a double gold rating; to get a gold, the Sinful Cherry Liqueur had to earn between 90 and 95 points.

Rheault is hoping the awards will help him export his spirits to the Chinese market where there is a steady demand by the wealthy upper class for high-end alpha vodkas like his. It also means he can command more for his product.

"If I start to sell vodka in China, what happens is I can get a higher price for it, because they know how much an alpha vodka is really worth," said Rheault, noting he's been working with the Ontario government to help him navigate his way into the Chinese market.

April denoted the one-year mark since the LCBO started stocking Loon Vodka on its shelves. Rheault said, as part of his...

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