Keuka Spring Vineyards 2012 Riesling wins "Governor's Cup"
and
McCall Wines wins "Winery of the Year"
-From Jim Trezise, NYWGF President
Watkins Glen, New York, AUGUST 13 - Keuka Spring Vineyards 2012 Riesling from the Finger Lakes Region won the coveted "Governor's Cup" trophy at the 2013 New York Wine & Food Classic competition, held on August 12 & 13 at the Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel in Watkins Glen, NY. The "Winery of the Year" award went to McCall Wines from the North Fork of Long Island.
Governor Andrew Cuomo personally presented the elegant Governor's Cup, a large silver chalice, which recognizes the "Best of Show" or top prize of all 875 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 Governor Cuomo 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 Governor's strong support of the New York wine industry."
This year's competition included 842 New York wines, 11 Hard Ciders and 22 Spirits from several regions across New York State including Long Island, Hudson Valley, Finger Lakes, Niagara Escarpment and Lake Erie. The Keuka Springs Vineyards 2012 Riesling was also voted Best White Wine, Best Overall Riesling and Best Medium Dry Riesling on its way to the ultimate award. McCall Wines won Best Pinot Noir 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 2013 winner was Earle Estates Meadery Raspberry Reflections.
A "Best Limited Production Wine" award, for wines produced with fewer than 100 cases, went to Keuka Spring Vineyards 2012 Dry Rosé.
The awards were based on blind tastings by 22 expert judges-3 from California, 9 from New York, 7 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 22 judges for Best of Category and Governor's Cup awards.
Celebrating its 28th year, the Classic is organized by Teresa Knapp of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation, and is open to all 337 New York wineries from all regions. In 2013, a total of 54 Double Gold, 98 Gold, 299 Silver, and 224 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
Sparkling Pointe 2008 Blanc de Noirs
Best White Wine
Keuka Spring Vineyards 2012 Riesling
Best Rose Wine
McGregor Vineyard Winery 2012 Rosé D'Cabernet Franc, Estate Grown
Best Red Wine
Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards 2010 Cabernet Franc
Best Dessert Wine
21 Brix 2011 Vidal Ice Wine
Best Specialty Wine
Earle Estates Meadery Raspberry Reflections
Best Spirit
Finger Lakes Distilling McKenzie Rye
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
Billsboro Winery 2012 Chardonnay
Best Unoaked Chardonnay
Harbes Family Farm & Vineyard 2012 Steel Fermented Chardonnay
Best Overall Chardonnay
Harbes Family Farm & Vineyard 2012 Steel Fermented Chardonnay
Best Gewürztraminer
Keuka Spring Vineyards 2012 Gewürztraminer
Best Dry Riesling
Paumanok Vineyards 2012 Dry Riesling
Best Medium Dry Riesling
Keuka Spring Vineyards 2012 Riesling
Best Medium Sweet Riesling
Swedish Hill Winery 2012 Riesling
Best Overall Riesling
Keuka Spring Vineyards 2012 Riesling
Best Pinot Grigio
Damiani Wine Cellars 2012 Pinot Grigio
Best Vinifera White Blend
Bedell Cellars 2010 Taste White
Best Cayuga
McGregor Vineyard Winery 2012 Cayuga White
Best Seyval
Raymor Estate Cellars Seyval Blanc
Best Hybrid White Blend
Tug Hill Vineyards 43 Degrees Lat White
Best Niagara
Lakewood Vineyards 2012 Niagara
Best Vinifera Rose
McGregor Vineyard Winery 2012 Rosé D'Cabernet Franc, Estate Grown
Best Native Rose
Arbor Hill Grapery & Winery Coriesa Hill-Iona Rosé
Best Catawba
Torrey Ridge Winery Catawba
Best Cabernet Sauvignon
Wölffer Estate Vineyard 2010 Cassango Cabernet Sauvignon
Best Merlot
Martha Clara Vineyards 2010 Merlot
Best Cabernet Franc
Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards 2010 Cabernet Franc
Best Pinot Noir
McCall Wines 2010 Pinot Noir Reserve, Corchang Estate
Best Lemberger
Hosmer Winery 2010 Lemberger
Best Vinifera Red Blend
Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars 76 West
Best Hybrid Red Blend
Swedish Hill Winery Viking Red
Best Fruit
Baldwin Vineyards Strawberry Wine
Best Cider
Earle Estates Meadery Wort Hog
Best Late Harvest Wine
Paumanok Vineyards 2012 Late Harvest Riesling
Best Ice Wine
21 Brix 2011 Vidal Ice Wine
Best Vinifera Sparkling White
Chateau Frank 2007 Blanc de Noirs
Complete results of the 2013 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.