If you’re interested in such things and have been anywhere near Facebook or Twitter today, you’ve no doubt read that the 2015 New York Wine & Food Classic was yesterday.
Over the years, we’ve been critical of all competitions like this one (not just this one), but this year we’re simply going to report on the results, which you can find in the below press release from the New York Wine & Grape Foundation. Congratulations to the winners.
Watkins Glen, New York, August 12 – Ventosa Vineyards 2011 Lemberger, Estate Grown from the Finger Lakes Region won the coveted “Governor’s Cup” trophy at the 2015 New York Wine & Food Classic competition, held on August 11 & 12 at the Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel in Watkins Glen, NY. The “Winery of the Year” award went to Paumanok Vineyards on the North Fork of Long Island.
Lieutenant Govenor Kathy Hochul presented the elegant Governor’s Cup, a large silver chalice, which recognizes the “Best of Show” or top prize of all 910 entries in the Classic, known as “The Oscars” of New York wine. The “Winery of the Year” award is presented to the winery with the best overall showing based on the level and number of awards in relation to entries.
“We are honored that Lieutenant Govenor Hochul presented the Governor’s Cup and Winery of the Year awards,” said Jim Trezise, President of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation, which sponsors the Classic. “We applaud the winners in a very competitive event, as well as the strong support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and his administration for the New York wine industry.”
This year’s competition included 858 New York wines, 20 Hard Ciders and 32 Craft Spirits from several regions across New York State including Long Island, Hudson Valley, Finger Lakes, Niagara Escarpment and Lake Erie. The Ventosa Vineyards 2011 Lemberger, Estate Grown was also voted Best Red Wine and Best Lemberger on its way to the ultimate award. Paumanok Vineyards won Best White Wine and Best Overall Riesling on its way to the Winery of the Year award, along with several other top medals.
A “Specialty Wine Champion” award recognizes consistent quality among the increasing number of wines made from fruits other than grapes, or honey. The 2015 winner was Baldwin Vineyards.
A “Best Limited Production Wine” award, for wines produced with fewer than 100 cases, went to Young Sommer Winery Riesling-Dry, Bernard Vineyard.
There are also awards for Best Spirit and Best Cider. The Best Spirit honor went to Black Button Distilling Citrus Forward Gin, while the Best Cider was Kaneb Orchards St. Lawrence Cider.
The awards were based on blind tastings by 21 expert judges-4 from California, 9 from New York, 6 from other states, and 1 each from Paris and London. Judges included prominent wine writers, restaurateurs, retailers, and wine educators. Judging panels determined the initial awards, with top-scoring wines evaluated by all 21 judges for Best of Category and Governor’s Cup awards.
Celebrating its 30th year, the Classic is organized by Teresa Knapp of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation, and is open to all 409 New York wineries from all regions. In 2015, a total of 68 Double Gold, 80 Gold, 351 Silver, and 274 Bronze medals were awarded. In addition, “Best of Category” and “Best of Class” designations were awarded to wines rated as the finest in various areas. Double Gold medals require unanimity among a panel’s judges that a wine deserves a Gold medal, whereas Gold medals require a majority vote.
The “Best of Category” awards, all eligible for the Governor’s Cup, went to:
Best Sparkling Wine
Goose Watch Winery Pinot Noir Brut Rosé
Best White Wine
Paumanok Vineyards 2014 Semi-Dry Riesling
Best Rosé/Blush Wine
Lime Berry Winery Bunny Bunny Blush
Best Red Wine
Ventosa Vineyards 2011 Lemberger, Estate Grown
Best Dessert Wine
Sheldrake Point Winery 2014 Riesling Ice Wine
Best of Class awards go to Double Gold or Gold medal wines in classes of at least 10 wines. The “Best of Class” awards went to:
Best Oaked Chardonnay
McCall Wines 2013 Chardonnay Reserve
Best Unoaked Chardonnay
Glenora Wine Cellars 2014 Chardonnay
Best Gewürztraminer
Mazza Chautauqua Cellars 2014 Gewürztraminer
Best Dry Riesling
Dr. Konstantin Frank 2013 Dry Riesling
Best Medium Dry Riesling
Dr. Konstantin Frank 2013 Riesling, Semi-Dry
Best Medium Sweet Riesling
Paumanok Vineyards 2014 Semi-Dry Riesling
Best Sweet Riesling
Glenora Wine Cellars 2014 Riesling
Best Overall Riesling
Paumanok Vineyards 2014 Semi-Dry Riesling
Best Sauvignon Blanc
Martha Clara Vineyards 2014 Sauvignon Blanc, Estate Reserve
Best Pinot Gris
Dr. Konstantin Frank 2013 Pinot Gris
Best Other Vinifera White Varietal
Inspire Moore Winery 2014 Rhythm
Best Vinifera White Blend
Casa Larga Vineyard 2014 Chard-Riesling
Best Traminette
Goose Watch Winery 2014 Traminette
Best Hybrid White Blend
Tug Hill Vineyards 43° Lat White
Best Niagara
Americana Vineyards Crystal Lake
Best Vinifera Rosé
Kontokosta Winery 2014 Rosé
Best Cabernet Sauvignon
Osprey’s Dominion Vineyards 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
Best Merlot
Harbes Vineyard 2013 Hallock Lane Merlot
Best Pinot Noir
Martha Clara Vineyards 2013 Pinot Noir, Estate Reserve
Best Cabernet Franc
Idol Ridge Winery 2012 Cabernet Franc
Best Lemberger
Ventosa Vineyards 2011 Lemberger, Estate Grown
Best Other Red Vinifera Varietal
Standing Stone Vineyards 2013 Saperavi
Best Vinifera Red Blend
Fox Run Vineyards 2013 Cabernet Franc/Lemberger
Best Hybrid Red Blend
Raymor Estate Cellars Sunset Red
Best Fruit
Baldwin Vineyards Strawberry Wine
Best Cider
Kaneb Orchards St. Lawrence Cider
Best Spirit
Black Button Distilling Citrus Forward Gin
Best Late Harvest
Swedish Hill Winery 2014 Late Harvest Vignoles
Best Ice Wine
Sheldrake Point Winery 2014 Riesling Ice Wine
Best Vinifera Sparkling White
Sparkling Pointe Vineyards & Winery 2005 Brut Seduction, Methode Champenoise
Complete results of the 2015 Classic will also soon be posted under “Awards and Accolades” at www.newyorkwines.org, which also includes Gold medal New York wines from other major competitions.
Media Contact: Jim Trezise, 585-394-3620, ext. 203, jimtrezise@nywgf.org