Wine Connoisseur and Sommelier Kyle Ridington of New York City Claims the Coveted Style Title
Penfolds, Australia’s leading winemaker, and GQ Magazine, the premier men’s magazine for style and culture, are excited to announce the winner of this year’s “Best Dressed Somm.” On October 22nd, Chef Sommelier Kyle Ridington from Piora Restaurant in New York City was awarded the coveted style title at a reception held at the Penfolds House in New York City.
After a month long search on Instagram and Twitter, over 100 participating sommeliers across North America were evaluated on the ability to curate a look that exudes “effortless style.” Kyle impressed an esteemed panel of judges that included GQ Executive Stylist Brett Fahlgren, celebrity chef and style guru Marcus Samuelsson, and designer Rachel Roy – all of whom know firsthand that a fine wine is best paired with unparalleled style.
“I am honored to be named this year’s Best Dressed Somm by Penfolds and GQ,” said Kyle at last night’s reception. “It’s exciting to celebrate putting my best self forward when it comes to style. For the recognition to come from Penfolds, a brand known for its prestige and high caliber wines, solidifies the hard work I’ve put into my career and life.”
As one of five #BestDressedSomm finalists, Kyle, who to the reception wore cropped, tailored trousers and a fitted blazer finished with a green scarf, demonstrated his keen knack for fashion over front-runners Taylor Grant from Scopa Italian Roots in Los Angeles, Nico Snyman from Joel Robuchon at the Mansion in Las Vegas, Matt Bostick from Osteria Mozza in Los Angeles, and Elphin Murren from Kingside Restaurant in New York City.
“This year marks the second annual collaboration with Penfolds to pay homage to the sommelier community and we couldn’t be more excited about the evolution of the Best Dressed Somm program,” said Fahlgren. “All top contenders demonstrated their ability to curate a collection beyond the wine cellar. We especially loved Kyle because of his confidence in pulling off a completely original look.”
An evening of style and luxury held at the Penfolds House in New York, the Best Dressed Somm reception also served as the official U.S. debut of the Penfolds 2015 Collection, including the 2011 Grange – Penfolds’ flagship and one of the most collected wines in the world.
“Grange is distinguished for its lively and assured palate,” said DLynn Proctor, Penfolds U.S. Winemaking Ambassador. “This wine is unique in its expert craftsmanship – a synergistic trait reflected in the flair and contemporary attitude Kyle demonstrated firsthand last night.”
The Penfolds Collection 2015
The Penfolds Collection 2015 evolves with the new vintage release of the winery’s family of fine wines, and is now officially available. Noteworthy wine milestones and anniversaries together with vintage nuances are evident and while the winemakers led by Chief Winemaker Peter Gago continue to act as custodians of the past, they continue to deliver their own distinctive interpretation of the wines.
The 2015 Collection spans five vintages across 20 individual wines of appeal and provenance, all proudly displaying the Penfolds ‘House Style’ established more than 171 years ago.
Key highlights include:
• 2011 Grange is the 61st consecutive release, this is only the sixth Grange since the experimental 1951 vintage to be 100% Shiraz.
• 2013 Kalimna Bin 28 Shiraz celebrates its 55th consecutive release.
• 2013 Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon for the first time made predominantly from Adelaide Hills fruit.
• 2014 Bin 311 Tumbarumba Chardonnay celebrates its 10th consecutive release.
Penfolds Chief Winemaker Peter Gago reflects, “this year’s Collection again reminds our winemaking team of the magic and unknowns of wine. There’s still so much that we don’t know, a continuum of surprise is occasionally explained by science, history or experience. Our 2013 reds have significantly transformed in bottle – grown, complexed, fattened… call it what you will. These wines make us smile and remind us of why we do, what we do.”
In addition to the release, for the first time this year, Penfolds will also unveil a selection of wines in stylishly crafted gift boxes and for collector’s who acquire Grange they can now personalize their gift box with a bespoke plaque denoting a name and personal message.
Earlier this year Penfolds was named 2015 International White Winemaker by the International Wine Challenge (IWC) in recognition of Penfolds whites delivering drinkability and durability. Senior White Winemaker Kym Schroeter, who has over a quarter of a century of Penfolds winemaking experience, asserts, “overall I believe this year’s white release is ‘right up there’ in terms of quality and ageability. Certainly wines for the cellar!”
These whites span three vintages, 2013 – 2015. The Penfolds Collection 2015 offers wines of great narrative, largesse, aging potential and cultural significance.
In addition to national publicity as Penfolds & GQ Magazine‘s “Best Dressed Somm” of 2015, Kyle will be featured in an upcoming issue of GQ, as well as receive a private styling session with Brett Fahlgren. For more information, please visit Penfolds.com/GQBestDressedSomm. Follow the conversation on social media with @Penfolds, @GQMagazine and @GQ using #BestDressedSomm.
Penfolds has been producing an impressive array of wines since 1844 and indisputably led the development of Australian fine wine into the modern era. The introduction of Penfolds Grange in 1951 forever changed the landscape of Australian fine wine. Since then a series of standout wines, both white and red, have been released under the Penfolds masthead. www.penfolds.com
Filed under: Fine Living, Fine Wines & Liqueur, Food, Wines & Spirits Tagged: Chef Sommelier Kyle Ridington from Piora Restaurant in New York City, GQ magazine, PENFOLDS, Penfolds and GQ Magazine Crown "Best Dressed Somm" of 2015, The Penfolds Collection 2015
