The Results of The 8th Annual American Fine Wine Competition!
A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of judging the 8th Annual American Fine Wine Competition. As many of you know, the competition was founded eight years ago by the fabulous Shari Gherman and dynamic duo of Monty and Sara Preiser and showcases some of the finest wines in the United States. While many of the highest scoring entries hail from California, Oregon, and Washington state, there are always some delightful surprises! Over the past few years, wines from Virginia, Ohio, and New York have definitely impressed and serve as reminders that, when it comes to wine, we should all think (and shop) outside the box.The judging of over 700 vinous entries took place over two days at Florida International University's state-of-the-art Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management. Each day began promptly at 9am with all the judges divided into teams of four - palates primed and ready! We then sipped and spit our way through flight after flight of white, red, sweet, and sparkling wines, evaluating and assigning medals where appropriate. With our teeth-staining task complete, I'm happy to share the results with you (drumroll please!):"BEST OF CLASS"Dry Riesling - 2013 Glenora Wine Cellars, Finger LakesCabernet Sauvignon - 2012 Peju Province, NapaChardonnay - 2012 Maldonado Los Olivos, NapaDessert Wine - 2014 Glenora Wine Cellars Riesling Ice Wine, Finger LakesDry Rosé - 2014 Burbank Ranch Picnic Meadow Grenache Rose, Paso RoblesMerlot - 2010 Rombauer, CarnerosOther Red Blend - 2012 Cougars Leap, Black Rock Cuvée, Lake CountyOther Red Single Varietal- 2012 Michael David, Inkblot Tannat, LodiPinot Noir- 2011 Russian Hill, Ellen's Block, Russian River ValleyCabernet Franc- 2011 Cairdean, NapaRed Bordeaux Style Blend - 2012 Arietta, H Block, NapaSauvignon Blanc - 2012 Arkenstone, Howell MountainSparkling - 2012 Hagafen Cellars Brut Cuvée and 2008 Domaine Carneros Le Reve (tie)Syrah - 2012 Cline Cellars, CarnerosViognier - 2013 Russian Hill Estates, Russian River ValleyZinfandel - 2012 Frank Family, Napa"BEST OF SHOW"Dry Rosé - 2014 Burbank Ranch Picnic Meadow Grenache RoséDessert Wine - 2014 Glenora Wine Cellars Riesling Ice WineSparkling - 2012 Hagafen Cellars Brut Cuvée and 2008 Domaine Carneros Le Reve (tie)Red - 2011 Cairdean Cabernet FrancWhite - 2012 Maldonado Chardonnay, Los Olivos Vineyard (second year in a row!)I hope you enjoyed the results and I'd love to hear what you think: are you fans of any of our winners or did you make any new discoveries? Please let me know in the comment section below. Also, on April 24th, 2015 the American Fine Wine Competition Charity Gala will take place at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino. This promises to be another amazing evening filled with fabulous food, wine, and fun so be sure to mark your calendar! For more information and/or to purchase tickets, please click here and I hope to see you there.Cheers,