MOUNTAIN VALLEY SPRINGS AHEAD OF THE REST

BERKELEY SPRINGS, WV - Mountain Valley Spring water from Hot Springs, Arkansas, was recently voted the best noncarbonated water.   More than eighty spring, sparkling and municipal bottled waters from around the country and across the globe competed before a panel of travel and food writers for the honor of best-tasting water in their class during the Seventh Annual Toast to the Tap International Water Tasting and competition on Saturday, February 22.    Sweet Springs Natural Mountain Water of gap Mills, WV tied for first. Sparkling Mountain Valley Spring Water (carbonated) placed second in the Sparkling water division.   Noted water expert, Author Von Weisenberger, of Santa Barbara, California assisted the judges through the subtle nuances of evaluating a product that is most acclaimed for it's oddorlessness, colorlessness and a taste that is very subjective.   Although much has changed eighty-two entries, representing Twenty-three states and four countries, were swirled, swished, sniffed and sipped, the winners were announced.  "This is the granddaddy [event] in the water-tasting world," according to Mr. Von Wiesenberger, and the crown-jewel of the Winter Festival of the Waters, produced by Travel Berkeley Springs.   Judges for the Toast to the Tap include freelance writers and media representatives from Beverage Industry magazine, National Geographic Traveler, and the National Drinking Water Clearinghouse, just to name a few.   The quality of water can change the taste, consistency and general attributes of foods as diverse as tea, pasta and vegetables.  Although much has changed in the water business since Mountain Valley sold it's first bottle in 1871, one thing remains constant: the quality and protection of Mountain Valley Spring Water has never been left to chance.  Each and every drop originates from the same spring source located in Hot Springs, Arkansas, just as it has for over 125 years.  Nestled within pristine forest lands and surrounded by the unique geological structure of the area, Mountain Valley Spring Water flows naturally to the surface.  No substitutes, never tankard, just pure spring water -- in each and every bottle of Mountain Valley.   The competition, held at Coolfront Resort in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, was covered by Fox National Network News, CBS Network News, CNN and the BBC, as well as other national and regional publications and   broadcasting systems.