Congratulations to the 2012 New York Wine & Food Classic Winners

Watkins Glen, New York, AUGUST 14 - Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars 2011 Semi Dry Riesling from the Finger Lakes Region won the coveted “Governor’s Cup” trophy at the 2012 New York Wine & Food Classic competition, held on August 13 & 14 at the Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel in Watkins Glen, NY. The “Winery of the Year” award also went to Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars.

The elegant Governor’s Cup, a large silver chalice, recognizes the “Best of Show” or top prize of all 773 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.

This year’s competition included 752 New York wines, 9 Hard Ciders and 12 Spirits from the Long Island, Hudson Valley, Finger Lakes, Niagara Escarpment, Lake Erie, and other regions of New York State. The Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars 2011 Semi Dry Riesling was also voted Best White Wine, Best Overall Riesling and Best Medium Dry Riesling on its way to the ultimate award. Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars also won one double gold, two gold and four silver medals which contributed to its award as Winery of the Year.

A “Specialty Wine Champion” award was added in 2008 to recognize consistent quality among the increasing number of wines made from fruits other than grapes, or honey. The 2012 winner was Baldwin Vineyards with the Best Fruit Wine and Best Specialty Wine.

A “Best Limited Production Wine” award went to Anthony Road Wine Company 2009 Riesling, Martini-Reinhardt Selection Series, Martini Vineyards.

The awards were based on blind tastings by 23 expert judges-4 from California, 10 from New York, 6 from other states, 1 from France and 2 from the United Kingdom. Judges included prominent wine writers, restaurateurs, retailers, and wine educators. Judging panels determined the initial awards, with top-scoring wines evaluated by all 23 judges for Best of Category and Governor’s Cup awards.

Celebrating its 27th year, the Classic is organized by Teresa Knapp of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation, and is open to all 321 New York wineries from all regions. In 2012, a total of 33 Double Gold, 95 Gold, 246 Silver, and 255 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
Atwater Estate Vineyards 2008 Cuvee Brut

Best White Wine
Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars 2011 Riesling, Semi-Dry

Best Blush Wine
Miles Wine Cellars Wisteria

Best Red Wine
Miles Wine Cellars 2009 Lemberger

Best Dessert Wine
Sheldrake Point Winery 2010 Riesling Ice Wine

Best Specialty Wine
Baldwin Vineyards Trilogy

Best Hard Cider
McKenzie’s Hard Cider Black Cherry Hard Cider

Best Spirit
Finger Lakes Distilling Seneca Drums Gin

Best of Class awards go to Double Gold or Gold medal wines in classes of at least 7 wines. The “Best of Class” awards went to:

Best Oaked Chardonnay
Martha Clara Vineyards 2010 Chardonnay, Estate Reserve

Best Unoaked Chardonnay
Paumanok Vineyards 2011 Festival Chardonnay

Best Overall Chardonnay
Paumanok Vineyards 2011 Festival Chardonnay

Best Gewürztraminer
Sheldrake Point Winery 2011 Gewürztraminer

Best Dry Riesling
Lucas Vineyards 2010 Dry Riesling

Best Medium Dry Riesling
Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars 2011 Riesling, Semi-Dry

Best Medium Sweet Riesling
Belhurst Estate Winery 2011 Riesling, Semi-Dry

Best Sweet Riesling
Wagner Vineyards 2011 Riesling Select, Estate Bottled & Grown

Best Overall Riesling
Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars 2011 Riesling, Semi-Dry

Best Sauvignon Blanc
Billsboro Winery 2011 Sauvignon Blanc

Best Pinot Gris
Thirsty Owl Wine Company 2011 Pinot Gris

Best Vinifera White Blend
Atwater Estate Vineyards 2011 Riewurz

Best Vinifera/Hybrid White Blend
Silver Thread Vineyard 2011 Good Earth White

Best Traminette
Goose Watch Winery 2010 Traminette

Best Vidal
Long Point Winery 2011 Vidal Blanc

Best Hybrid White Blend
Tug Hill Vineyards Lake Effect

Best Cayuga
Lucas Vineyards 2011 Cayuga White

Best Diamond
Goose Watch Winery 2011 Diamond

Best Catawba
Miles Wine Cellars Wisteria

Best Cabernet Sauvignon
Kings Garden Vineyards King’s Cab, Estate Grown, Produced & Bottled

Best Merlot
Bedell Cellars 2008 Merlot

Best Cabernet Franc
Ventosa Vineyards 2009 Cabernet Franc, Old Vineyard

Best Pinot Noir
Osprey’s Dominion Vineyards 2009 Pinot Noir, Estate Bottled

Best Lemberger
Miles Wine Cellars 2009 Lemberger

Best Vinifera Red Blend
Atwater Estate Vineyards 2010 Big Blend

Best Other Red Vinifera Varietal
Bedell Cellars 2010 Malbec

Best Concord
Coyote Moon Vineyards Fire Boat Red

Best Mead
Earle Estates Meadery Cherry Charisma

Best Fruit
Baldwin Vineyards Trilogy

Best Spirit
Finger Lakes Distilling Seneca Drums Gin

Best Late Harvest Wine
Anthony Road Wine Company 2011 Sweet Dream

Best Ice Wine
Sheldrake Point Winery 2010 Riesling Ice Wine

Best Vinifera Sparkling White
Atwater Estate Vineyards 2008 Cuvee Brut