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New York wines captured more than 450 medals at this weekend's Finger Lakes International Wine Competition held at the Rochester Plaza Hotel, where I had the honor and pleasure of judging. The awards included 10 Double Gold, 28 Gold, 189 Silver and 234 Bronze medals. While held on the edge of the Finger Lakes wine region, this is truly an international competition with 3,183 entries from 22 countries and all 50 states, evaluated by 60 judges from 15 different countries and many states.
Double Gold medals went to Casa Larga 2008 Fiori della Stelle Vidal Ice Wine, Fulkerson 2011 Matinee, Goose Watch 2010 Traminette, King Ferry (Treleaven) 2010 Dry Riesling, Lakewood 2009 Lemberger, Robibero 2010 Dry Riesling, Schulze 2010 Vidal Blanc Late Harvest, Seneca Shore Cabernet Franc, and Sparkling Pointe 2006 Blanc de Blancs and 2002 Brut Seduction.
Gold medals were awarded to Amazing Grace 2010 Concord, Anthony Road 2011 Riesling, Billsboro 2010 Cabernet Franc, Casa Larga 2009 Fiori della Stella Riesling Ice Wine, Chateau LaFayette Reneau 2009 Semi-Dry Riesling, 2010 Dry Riesling, and 2010 Late Harvest Riesling, Fox Run 2009 Tierce Dry Riesling, Glenora 2009 Riesling Iced, Hazlitt 2010 Semi-Dry Rieslng, Hosmer 2008 Riesling Vintners Reserve, Johnson Estate GrapeaGranate and 2009 Seyval Blanc, Knapp 2010 Vidal Ice Wine and 2011 Riesling, Lakewood 2010 Riesling and 2009 Candeo, McGregor 2010 Semi-Dry Riesling, Oak Summit 2010 Pinot Noir, Peconic Bay 2010 Riesling, Red Newt 2011 Riesling, Six Mile Creek Bellissimo and 2010 Cabernet Franc, Sparkling Pointe 2007 Brut and 2010 Riesling, Swedish Hill 2007 Optimus and 2011 Cayuga White, and Thirsty Owl 2010 Pinot Noir Reserve.
I also want to congratulate our friendly competitors from other states, especially Michigan, who won the four top awards of this competition. The John Rose Award for Best Riesling went to Chateau Fontaine 2011 Dry White Riesling and the Best Ice Wine award to Black Star Farms 2008 A Capella Ice Wine (also Riesling, and also from Michigan). Best Chardonnay was awarded to Merryvale Vineyards 2010 Chardonnay from Sonoma, and Best Cabernet Sauvignon to Chateau Ste. Michelle 2009 Canoe Ridge Estate Cabernet Sauvignon.
While all the medals are great, even better is the cause this competition serves: Camp Good Days and Special Times in Branchport, New York on Keuka Lake. The camp and organization were created years ago by Gary Mervis, whose young daughter "Teddi" died of cancer and who wanted to provide a refuge of happiness for children with cancer. He also decided that any funds raised would be devoted to the kids, not a bloated bureaucracy, and that there would be no fees for the parents to send their kids to camp.
The Finger Lakes International Wine Festival, including a gala dinner and auction on May 5, is one of the fund-raising vehicles, and last year raised $280,000 for the cause. So congratulations to FLIWC organizers Peter Parts, David Male and Ron Dougherty, and the 150 volunteers who make this great event possible.
It was a great competition for a great cause run by great people and featuring great wines. For more information on all the winners and more, visit www.fliwc.com |
