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“Shake the Vine” is a wine-inspired cocktail competition hosted by BACK BAR USA and Ste. Michelle Wine Estates.  Mixologists were asked to invent a cocktail using brands from Ste. Michelle Wine Estates’ portfolio including Anew Riesling, Michelle Sparkling Brut, Red Diamond Temperamental Red Blend and Torres Orange Liqueur.  Eight finalists out of the hundreds that applied are competing at the grand finale competition this afternoon at 2pm at Salon by Sucré (622 Conti St.) in the French Quarter.  They will be recreating their original entry, along with a second cocktail using Michelle Sparkling Wine, for a panel of celebrity judges to win the $5,000 grand prize.

Spencer Warren, a finalist from Pittsburgh, recreated his entry, “The Divine Cocktail” for Anne.  His cocktail is made with Ste. Michelle Wine Estates’ Anew Rosé, Torres Orange Liqueur, gin, Red Diamond Cabernet, lemon juice and honey, honeydew melon and peach bitters.

Other finalists include: Adam Murphy from Chicago, Egor Polonskiy from Chicago, Tim Weigel from Las Vegas, Joe Scalise from Pittsburgh, Zachary Peterson from Los Angeles, T. Cole Newton from New Orleans and Jair Bustillos from Las Vegas.