The Spirit Of Italy (tsoi) To Showcase Artisanal Italian Liquors At 2012 Tales Of The Cocktail On Friday, July 27 And Saturday, July 28

The Spirit of Italy (TSOI), an organization of seven family-owned, artisanal Italian liquor producers, today announced that it will have two activations at 2012 Tales of the Cocktail taking place this summer in New Orleans. The events include a "Taste of Italy" media luncheon on Friday, July 27 (12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m.) and a special "Brunch with an Italian Twist" on Saturday, July 28 (10:30 a.m.-12 noon).

The producers are Amaro Lucano, Distillerie Moccia, Distillerie Nardini, Luxardo, Pallini, Toschi and Varnelli. Representatives of each producer will be flying in from Italy for these unique events. Attendees will be able to sample food-friendly cocktails made with TSOI's liquors, amari, liqueurs and grappa alongside culinary delicacies.

"I'm proud to present The Spirit of Italy at Tales of the Cocktail this year. The festival, now celebrating its 10th anniversary, has become a must-attend for bartenders and I'm delighted to share these gems of Italian distilling with them," said Francesco Lafranconi, Executive Director of Mixology & Spirits Education, Southern Wine and Spirits of Nevada. "At our media luncheon and tasting room, we will showcase our Italian culture and heritage and demonstrate the mixability of these fine potables. Our guests will look at Italian spirits in a completely new way."

The following are TSOI's activations at 2012 Tales of the Cocktail:

"Taste of Italy" Media Luncheon
Friday, July 27, 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Hotel Monteleone, Media Suite
Members of the media are cordially invited to attend the "Taste of Italy" luncheon hosted by The Spirit Of Italy's founding members and producers. Francesco Lafranconi and his team of Italy's finest mixologists will create specialty drinks using spirits from the seven TSOI producers. Each cocktail will be paired with authentic Italian dishes and delicacies. In addition, attendees will also be able to sample each liquor neat.

"Brunch with an Italian Twist"
Saturday, July 28, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon
Hotel Monteleone, Bienville and Iberville Rooms
The Spirit of Italy will present everyone's favorite meal, American brunch, with an Italian accent. "Brunch with an Italian Twist" will be hosted by Francesco Lafranconi and TSOI's seven founding producers that will showcase an extraordinary range of delectable cocktails such as a Bourbon Milk Punch enhanced with Amaro Lucano, a Strawberry Ramos Fizz with Fragol� by Toschi, a New Orleans Chicory Coffee Shakerato with Zabov egg yolk-chocolate liqueur, Varnelli Anice with Clamato juice and cucumber-dill foam, a fresh-squeezed citrus Mimosa spiked with Nardini Grappa, a Luxardo Maraschino Cobbler and a Pallini Limoncello Champagne Cocktail.

About The Spirit of Italy
The Spirit of Italy (TSOI) is an organization of seven family-owned, artisanal Italian liquor producers-Amaro Lucano, Distillerie Moccia, Distillerie Nardini, Luxardo, Pallini, Toschi and Varnelli. Representing multiple generations of master distillers and liqueur makers, they produce a wide array of liqueurs, spirits and digestives that are considered some of Italy's finest. Their embodiment of quality extends from the ingredient selection to the centuries-old recipes used and the great Italian sense of design that enlivens their labels and advertising. Joining forces under The Spirit of Italy banner, the producers are bringing their liquid gems to discerning consumers to have them enjoy a distillation of Italy's world-renowned culture, art, traditions and lifestyle in every pleasurable sip. For more information, please visit www.thespiritofitaly.com.