Sheldrake Point 2014 Wild Ferment Finger Lakes Riesling Ice Wine took the top award at this week's Canberra International Riesling Challenge in Australia, besting nearly 500 wines from seven countries including Australia, the Czech Republic, France, Germany,, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United States.

                 On its way up to the Best of Show honors, this luscious dessert wine also won two other prestigious trophies for Best American Riesling and Best Sweet Riesling.

                 The Canberra International Riesling Challenge is the world's only international Riesling judging, considered the "Cannes" of Riesling, comparable to the famous film festival in southern France in terms of prestige.  Chairman Ken Helm, Chairman of Judges John Belsham from New Zealand, and Executive Officer Sue Hart do a fantastic job hosting and organizing this prestigious event, which also includes a great backroom staff of "wine stewards" also very knowledgeable about Rieslings.

                  There were six judges, including four from Australia, one from Germany (a recently confirmed Master of Wine), and yours truly--the first American ever invited to judge.  The competition was extremely thorough, rigorous and fair, requiring extensive discussions among the judges from beginning to end.

                  In some past years, a Sheldrake Point Riesling Ice Wine has won Best American Riesling and other accolades, but never the very top award, which is an enormous accomplishment.  It is another affirmation that the Finger Lakes region is truly world-class when it comes to Riesling.

                 Also in the running were a Dry Riesling from the Tasmania region of Australia (Chartley Estate 2014 Riesling), and a Semi-Dry Riesling from Germany's Rheingau region (G. H. von Mumm 2013 Riesling Eilfer).  The fact that the top three finalists hailed from Australia, Germany, and the United States is a testament to the quality of Rieslings being made worldwide, as well as the expertise and impartiality of the judges.  While all three were exceptional wines, the Sheldrake Point Ice Wine was a strong favorite among the judges.

                   This year was the 16th edition of this prestigious competition, and a vivid reminder of why other New York, American, and foreign wineries should enter next year.  The Canberra International Wine Competition is simply the best assessment of Riesling quality from throughout the world.