So in September I was among the judges at the Hudson Valley Wine Competition hosted by the Hudson Valley Grape Growers Association and organized and run by Hudson Valley Wine Goddess Debbie Gioquindo. This is not my first time judging in the event, but I have to say that the over level of the wines has never been better.
I joined some wonderful folks.
Fellow tasters included Carrie Dykes, Robin Swan Shreeves, John Hudelson, Christopher Matthews, Debbie (as the show runner), and Marcus Guiliano.
We tasted numerous wines. The Hudson Valley Wine Competition is held annually on the Saturday of the Hudson Valley Wine & Food Festival. The 2024 Hudson Valley Wine & Food Festival was held on September 7 and 8 at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck, New York. The competition requires that wines in the Hudson Valley AVA category be made from at least 75% Hudson Valley produce. All the winners were 100% HV fruit.
Here are some winners from the 2024 Hudson Valley Wine Competition:
Best Cabernet Franc: Whitecliff Vineyard Cabernet Franc
Best Sparkling: North River
Best Rose: Millbrook
Best Cider: Quartz Rock Vineyard
Best In Show: Benmarl 2022 Semi-Dry Riesling
Winery of the Year: Benmarl Winery and Vineyard and Millbrook Vineyards & Winery
There are competitions wherein I disagree with the results, as any participating judge will tell you. This year, the results were spot on. A terrific lineup of wines. And all absolutely wonderful.
Some favorites from the competition and the tastings afterwards. Loved the Quartz Rock Valvin Muscat Chardonnay, light, bright and refreshing. The Robibero Estate Grown is one of the most intense of the HV Cabernet Franc wines. And one of my favorites with cherry and blackberry and a smooth, approachable finish.
Whitecliff Vineyards wines were impressive. The Dry Rose was lovely, and the North River Sparkling, made with John Hudelson was exquisite!
Loved the Quartz Rock estate Hard Cider was excellent, and the War Cannon Rye was a big, mouthful of rye whiskey! Impressive!
The Milea Vineyards Rose was something special, as were two of their other wines including the Unoaked Chardonnay and the Estate Cabernet Franc.
Quartz Rock is one of my favorite estate wineries. Dan and Jacqui Ferarri Heavens have done such a great job making things happen there. I am not a fan of the Noiret grape in general, but their wines was easily the best varietal Noiret wine I have ever tasted. ,They also offered a Chambourcin Nouveau, which is usually something that used to be found in the Lehigh Valley. Quartz Rock's was very well made, and quite delicious. Light and easily drinkable.
Winemaker Ian Bearup recently assumed the helm of Millbrook Vineyards, succeeding Hudson Valley legend John Graziano. The current offerings firmly reinforce Millbrook's prominence in the valley. The Pinot Noir 2021 was soft and juicy with notes of cherry, blueberry, and some floral notes, with a nice soft finish. The Cabernet Franc 2021 was a lovely red wine with dark cherries and some raspberry and plum. Nice tannins and well balnced. The Millbrook Pinot Blanc, sourced from Long Island, was bright and delicious. And of course, the estate Tocai Friulano was amazing. Millbrook is among the largest producers of this grape outside of Italy. and the wine is stellar.
Debbie Gioquindo
And THAT, is a wrap!