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New York Gold is....
...a compilation of accolades for New York wines. Whether it is a medal earned in national and international competitions, an award from industry publication, or other form of recognition we like to share the good news. (OK, we like to boast a little bit.) We feel it is important to let everyone know how well wine experts receive New York’s wines.
Be sure to check the list of medal winners and watch the space to the left for other commentary on New York’s increasing treasury of accolades.
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 At the 2007 New York Wine & Food Classic in Napa Valley…
Thirsty Owl Wine Company wins “Governor’s Cup”
Red Barn Winery rated “Winery of the Year”
NAPA, CALIFORNIA, AUGUST 8—Thirsty Owl Wine Company’s 2006 Dry Riesling from the Finger Lakes won the coveted “Governor’s Cup” trophy at the 2007 New York Wine & Food Classic competition, held on August 7 & 8 at Copia—The American Center for Wine, Food & The Arts in Napa, Ca. The “Winery of the Year” award went to Red Barn Winery in Central New York.
The elegant Governor’s Cup, a large silver chalice, recognizes the “Best of Show” or top prize of all 790 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 deeply grateful to Peter Marks and his colleagues at Copia for again hosting our competition,” said Jim Trezise, President of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation which sponsors the all-New York event. “Copia truly is the AMERICAN Center for Wine, Food & The Arts, and while being based in Napa is clearly committed to the entire American wine industry.” The Classic was also held at Copia in 2003, before direct interstate shipment legislation allowed the sale of most New York wines in California.
This year’s competition included 790 New York wines from Long Island, the Hudson Valley, the Finger Lakes, Niagara Escarpment, Lake Erie, and other regions of New York State. The 2006 Dry Riesling was also voted Best White Wine, and Best Dry Riesling on its way to the ultimate award. Red Barn Winery received 1 Double Gold, 2 Gold, 1 Silver, and 2 Bronze awards on its way to that honor.
The top awards were announced at a special “Governor’s Cup Celebration Luncheon” at Julia’s Kitchen in Copia, named after the legendary “French Chef” Julia Child. Executive Chef Jeff Mosher used last year’s top winning Classic New York wines to create a special “East Meets West” luncheon featuring all Napa Valley ingredients. Exceptions were New York’s Mercers Dairy Wine Ice Cream and McCadam cheese, which recently won “Best American Cheese” at a national cheese competition held in Wisconsin.
The awards were based on blind tastings by 24 expert judges—10 from California, 6 from New York, 6 from other states, and 2 from other countries. Judges included prominent wine writers, restaurateurs, retailers, and wine educators. Four-judge panels determined the initial awards, with top-scoring wines evaluated by all 24 judges for Best of Category and Governor’s Cup awards.
“We maintain that many New York wines are now world-class in quality,” said Trezise. “The fact that we held this New York-only competition in Napa, and have three-fourths of all judges from places other than New York, confirms our confidence in that belief. These are all very qualified judges, so we let the wines speak for themselves.”
Celebrating its 22nd year, the Classic is organized by Teresa Knapp of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation, and is open to all 239 New York wineries from all regions. In 2007, a total of 29 Double Gold, 50 Gold, 231 Silver, and 203 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 Swedish Hill Vineyards NV Spumante Blush for Best Sparkling wine, Thirsty Owl Wine Company 2006 Dry Riesling for Best White wine, Barrington Cellars 2006 Buzzard’s Blush for Best Blush wine, Pindar Vineyards Estate Bottled 2005 Cabernet Franc for Best Red wine, Red Barn Winery 2006 Raspberry for Specialty wine, and Mazza Chautauqua Cellars 2005 Ice Wine of Vidal Blanc for Best Dessert wine.
The “Best of Class” awards for different varietals or proprietary blends, which were tasted off for “Best of Category” awards, went to Osprey’s Dominion Vineyards 2002 Rose de Noir for Best Vinifera Sparkling Wine, Swedish Hill Vineyards NV Spumante Blush wine for Best Other Sparkling wine, Thirsty Owl Wine Company 2006 Dry Riesling for Best Dry Riesling wine, Rivendell Winery 2006 Soho Cellars Johannisberg Riesling for Best Semi-Dry Riesling wine, Peconic Bay Winery 2005 La Barrique Chardonnay for Best Oaked Chardonnay wine, Cayuga Ridge Estate Winery 2006 Chardonnay for Best Unoaked Chardonnay wine, Hunt Country Vineyards 2006 Pinot Gris for Best Pinot Gris wine, Glenora Wine Cellars 2006 Barrel Fermented Pinot Blanc for Best Pinot Blanc wine, Standing Stone Vineyards 2006 Gewürztraminer for Best Gewürztraminer wine, Bloomer Creek Vineyards 2006 Reserve White for Best Hybrid White Blend wine, Anthony Road Wine Company 2006 Vignoles for Best Vignoles wine, Long Point Winery 2006 Vidal Blanc for Best Vidal Blanc wine, McGregor Vineyard Winery 2006 Cayuga White for Best Cayuga White wine, Penguin Bay Winery 2006 Valvin Muscat for Best Other White wine, Barrington Cellars 2006 Buzzard’s Blush for Best Other Blush wine, Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards Cabin Fever for Best Catawba wine, Six Mile Creek Vineyard 2005 Pinot Noir for Best Pinot Noir wine, Pindar Vineyards Estate Bottled 2005 Cabernet Franc for Best Cabernet Franc wine, Bedell Cellars 2005 Reserve Merlot for Best Merlot wine, Osprey’s Dominion Vineyards 2002 Flight Meritage for Best Vinifera Red Blend wine, Fox Run Vineyards NV Fox Trot Red for Best Native Red Blend wine, Swedish Hill Vineyards 2005 Late Harvest Vignoles for Best Late Harvest wine, Mazza Chautauqua Cellars 2005 Ice Wine of Vidal Blanc for Best Ice Wine, Red Barn Winery 2005 Pauley’s Port for Best Port wine, Torrey Ridge Scarlet Red for Best Mead wine, and Red Barn Winery 2006 Raspberry wine for Best Fruit wine.
Complete results of the 2007 Classic will soon be posted under “New York Gold” 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
More information here... |
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