Second Annual International Canned Wine Competition Gives Gold to Aluminum

September 10, 2020 by evebushman

BOONVILLE, Calif. /PRNewswire/ — In the only event of its kind in the world, over two hundred canned wines flexed their aluminum muscles at the second annual International Canned Wine Competition held July 21-23 at the Mendocino County Fairgrounds in Boonville, California. Seventy producers from around the globe sent in a total of 226 entries. Wines were submitted from Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Chile, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, New Zealand, Portugal, South Africa, and Spain as well as from many parts of the U.S.A. While California and Oregon producers took their share of honors, many of the 96 gold medals went to wines from less prominent regions.

Best of Show White Wine honors went to Archer McRae Beverages’ Joiy Wine “Savvy Society” Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand. Best Rosé was Hall Wines’ BACA 2019 “Ring Around the Rosé” from California, and Best Red was Fourth Wave Wine’s “Take it to the Grave” 2018 Shiraz, Langhorne Creek, Australia.

Erosion Wine Co. from Napa took home five gold medals and a package design award for their exquisite jewel-like can designs. The Uncommon sent four wines from England; all four won gold medals and the series won package design recognition for their charming illustrations.

According to competition founder Allan Green, it was notable that 30% of the entries were Rosé wines: “Rosé has become so popular in the last few years, and it lends itself to cans: people take Rosé along for a picnic or drink it sitting by the pool.”

The competition judges came from academia, marketing and the wine trade. Professional judge Mark Bowery noted that he has, “been judging wine professionally for 36 years, but this was my first foray into the canned category. And I’ve got to say, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality, across the board. I was especially impressed by the varietal accuracy and deep satisfaction delivered in the Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc submissions.“

Handley Cellars’ winemaker Randy Schock said, “It was amazing to see the improvement in quality across the board compared to the first International Canned Wine Competition last year. Not just with the products oriented to the pop “seltzer” market, which were fun and refreshing, but the wines that expressed traditional bottled varietal expressions exceeded my expectations.”

Because of the Covid 19 virus, the organizers of the competition scheduled the judging over three days, with three judges on each daily panel socially distanced in a large exhibition hall. Judges had individual sets of glassware and bussed their own samples after each flight.

Plans are already in the works for the third annual International Canned Wine Competition, to be held in July 20-22, 2021. Competition director Allan Green promises it will be “aluminating!”

Complete results and photographs are available at www.cannedwinecompetition.com.

Vintage Eve 11/2017, “From Portugal to Australia: A Trio of Ports and Five from Wakefield Wines”

July 28, 2020 by evebushman

Lots of wines, eight in all, to taste through this week. We are starting with the ports, though we would normally recommend finishing with a port. There is nothing at all wrong with starting a meal with a little taste of something sweet, and revisiting the same wines after your meal as well, give it a try. (A note on the Ports: they arrived the day before Halloween and came with suggested candy pairings.)

From Portugal we will be traveling to “The Promised Land” so to speak with wines from South Australia, starting with an unoaked Chardonnay and finishing up with a Shiraz.

Edited “Suggested Pairings” or tech sheets follow my tasting notes.

Warre’s Otima 10 Year Old Tawny Port with DOTS: A unique bottling in clear glass and a slightly smaller size, I was interested in trying this tawny out. The color had a clear red center and brown edge, almost indicative of an aged Rose. On the nose we got aromas of chocolate covered cherries, liquor-filled chocolate, and Luxardo liqueur or a Luxardo cherry in a Manhattan. On the mouth there were more caramel and vanilla notes, as well as that same dark cherry, plums and a bit of sherry-reminiscent. 90 Eve pts. Suggested Pairing – A bright nose full of fresh nuts alongside a delicate palate of dried fruit make Otima 10 Year Old Tawny Port (SRP $26) the perfect complement to the mixed fruit flavors of DOTS.

Dow’s 2011 Late Bottled Vintage Port with KIT KAT®: The color of a fine Cabernet Sauvignon and very opaque. The aromas ranged from dry, dusty earth to dark cherry, dark chocolate, mushroom…with a lower alcohol and sweetness feeling compared to the tawny. When we tasted this one we got a very richly layered feeling, with good tannin structure, lots off depth, heat, big fruit, and a little smoke/cigarette ash on a very lengthy finish, 91 Eve pts. Suggested Pairing – Dow’s trademark drier style comes through, making this wine the perfect pairing with the candy’s crispy wafer and smooth milk chocolate. Unlike other Port houses, Dow’s only produces Late Bottled Vintage Port from the best of years.

Cockburn’s Special Reserve with Butterfinger®‎: A dark garnet in color, the special reserve had dense notes of red to black cherry, black plums and a dusty quality. Then came a mouth-coating viscosity on the taste with balanced flavors of fig, red cherry ad brown sugar. 90 Eve pts. Suggested Pairing – A luscious style of Port, bursting with bright red cherry fruit, and Cockburn’s signature mellow cask-finished tones enhancing its smoothness, make for a devilishly delicious pairing as the creamy milk chocolate base gives way to a peanut buttery palate.

Wakefield Wines of South Australia http://www.wakefieldwines.com/

2016 Promised Land Unoaked Chardonnay Lemon-lime, sweet butter, green Granny Smith apple, orange blossom on the nose with flavors reminiscent of crisp lemon, orange and lime wedges, sweet pineapple, green apple again and a mild acidity allowing for a lengthy finish. 89 Eve pts. From Tech Sheet – Bouquet: Fresh, lifted aromas of yellow peach, along with some subtle tropical fruit characters and a touch of lemony citrus. Palate: A medium weight palate with fleshy yellow peach, subtle pineapple and citrus flavours. There is a refreshing, tight acidity and a lovely clean finish.

2016 Wakefield Merlot, Clare Valley Bold crushed blackberry, stewed plums, both dark and milk chocolate as well as mint and cinnamon rose up in the aromas. On the mouth there was blue to black fruit, very dry and tannic, and some welcoming spice held in for a medium to long finish. 89 Eve pts. From Tech Sheet – Bouquet: …raspberry, cherry and violets with enticing vanilla bean, spice and cinnamon from quality oak maturation. Palate: …ripe, dark fruit alongside rich fruit cake characters…flavours of vanilla, mocha and subtle spice…

2015 Promised Land Cabernet Merlot Crushed boysenberry, blueberry, jam, chocolate candy, tobacco and ash on the nose followed by the same fruit but less jammy and drier, also some blackberry and black currant, tannins help the flavors to linger. 88 Eve pts. From Tech Sheet – Bouquet: …plum, red berries and liquorice along with a hint of spice, cedar and vanilla… Palate: …ripe plum, red berries along with subtle liquorice and chocolate…

2015 Promised Land Shiraz Cabernet Aromas of pungent black fruit, cigarette, wet rock, very dark chocolate/cocoa and a hint of…paprika. On the mouth it was a bit tight due to its young age so we let it sit a bit and came back to revisit. Then we got nuances of blackberry, white pepper, green peppercorn, some smoke on the finish and firm tannins. 88 Eve pts. From Tech Sheet –Bouquet: aromas…plum, cassis and licorice. Palate: …red berries, plum, cassis, chocolate and spice…

2016 Promised Land Shiraz Blackberry, blueberry, boysenberry, dusty, milk chocolate, cream, vanilla bean all on the nose; while on the mouth I got that same black fruit but with lots of spice, tobacco, tannins and a medium finish. 89 Eve pts. From Tech Sheet –Bouquet: …red currant, plum and a touch of spice. Palate: …berry fruits, fine gentle tannins and a soft silky finish.

2016 Wakefield Shiraz, Clare Valley Hints of blueberry, blackberry, jam on toast and only a bit of pepper all on the nose while the mouth held notes of that same blue to black fruit, not a lot of spice or pepper, but good tannins and a tingling quality. 87 Eve pts. From Tech Sheet –Bouquet: …plum, blackcurrant and dark cherry fruits along with a bouquet of subtle mocha and a touch of oak derived spice. Palate: …plum and blackberry…Mocha coffee and subtle spice…

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.

Alessia Antinori to Headline South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Festival, April 23 – 26, 2020

March 23, 2020 by evebushman

MIRAMAR BEACH, FLA. (PRWEB) – Alessia Antinori of Marchesi Antinori, the most famously iconic winemaking family in history, will pour her family’s highly prized Italian wines at the South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Festival, taking place April 23 – April 26, 2020, in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin (not to be confused with the Sandestin resort or Sandestin wine festival). With more than 600 quality wines and dozens of spirits to taste over four days, this annual award-winning charity event delivers an unparalleled wine experience.

Antinori’s wines will be featured in Culinary Village and will be paired with an exclusive menu of authentic Italian dishes by Festival Culinary Director, Scott Plumley.

“At the beginning in the renaissance period we were more merchants and then after a few generations we started to produce wine in the Chianti Classico. The last generation has been very important because we focused on buying land to plant vineyards to assure that we could guarantee the high quality of the product. The last period we started to focus on the quality of the product and on the vineyards which we owned to try to get the best from them,” said Antinori, whose family has been making wine for 26 generations.

Attendees will be able to engage with Antinori and learn how her family’s wineries have evolved over six centuries since being established in 1385.

“We are talking about a business which is human and nature related and for this reason we believe the way to succeed is to transmit values like passion, quality and integrity from generation to generation and for this reason we want to maintain it in the family,” said Antinori.

Antinori will also present one of the weekends popular tasting seminars where her family wines will be paired exclusively with award-winning cheeses and charcuterie presented by world-renowned cheese expert and educator Michael Landis of the Intitut du Fromage.

Alessia Antinori said the tasting attendees can expect “that they will understand our family, our passion, our lifestyle and that they can appreciate our wines through our values and tasting a good glass of wine!”

Another festival highlight will be the Jackson Family Wine World pavilion which will feature their Chardonnays, Pinot Noir, Syrah and Viogniers from California and “big reds” including Cabernet Sauvignons, French Bordeaux, Italian Super Tuscans, Australian Shiraz and more.

South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival will present some of the most acclaimed winemakers and master distillers in the world, including Mariano Buglioni, the owner of the eponymous estate in San Pietro in Cariano, located in Valpolicella Classico; Greg Brewer winemaker and owner of Brewer-Clifton; Daniel DAOU, winemaker and proprietor, DAOU Family Estates; Jill DelaRiva Russell, winemaker of Cambria Winery; Jesse Lange, owner and principle, Lange Winery; Jared Himstedt, head distiller of Balcones Distilling; and Jessica Koga, Associate Winemaker, Davies Vineyards and Schramsberg Vineyards.

The festival kicks off Thursday at 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. with Winemakers & Shakers, held at Wine World in Destin. The VIP Wine Tasting is part of a 3-Day Package and takes place Friday, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m., followed by the Friday Craft Beer & Spirits Jam, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. The Grand Tastings are Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. The VIP Tasting can only be attended by purchasing the VIP Wine Festival 3-Day Package that includes most festival events as well.

Tickets can be purchased at SoWalWine.com.

The South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Festival is truly a celebration of wine, food and music that everyone can feel good about. This event is a major fundraiser for the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation with proceeds benefiting more than a dozen children’s charities in Northwest Florida.

Presented by Grand Boulevard at Sandestin and Visit South Walton, the festival offers the ideal backdrop for wine, charity and fun along the South Walton beaches, named among the best beaches in the country.

South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival is made possible by the generous support of the following Founding Partners: Visit South Walton Tourist Development Council, Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association, Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, Wine World of Northwest Florida and Grand Boulevard at Sandestin®. Resortquest by Wyndham Vacation Rentals is the Official Lodging Partner.

About South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival
South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival is an annual charity event held the last weekend in April. The festival features a stunning showcase of some of the best wines in the world. Celebrity wine producers and chefs present fine wine and food pairings from the world’s most famous appellations. The Culinary Village offers a sumptuous array of foods to taste, wines to pair, as well as wine and food tasting seminars. The event is a major fundraiser for Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation, which benefits children in need in Northwest Florida. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit SoWalWine.com.

Crittenden Estate of Australia Wins Top Honors in 2020 BRIT/FIVS International Sustainable Winegrowing Competition

December 23, 2019 by evebushman

FORT WORTH, TEXAS (PRWEB) – The Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT) in partnership with FIVS, a global public policy federation serving the wine, spirits, and beer sectors, are pleased to announce the winners of their 2020 International Sustainable Winegrowing Competition. Topping this year’s competition is Crittenden Estate of Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia, based on the winery’s on-going programs addressing the three elements of sustainability – environmental, economic, and social – as well as its wine’s flavor.

Founded in 1982 by Garry Crittenden, Crittenden Estate farms 27 acres in Dromana and is proud of its multi-generational family farm commitment to preserving the land while producing high-quality wine.

Among Crittenden’s many sustainable accolades are abandoning the use of chemicals in the vineyard for an innovative program of inter-row cover crops and soil cultivation; a twelve-month composting program to maintain soil health; introducing bees to the property to fertilize desirable fruit trees and supporting a diverse agricultural population of plants and insects while combating wasp species; reducing energy costs by sixty percent cost with the installation of solar panels; and reclaiming and reusing water through Crittenden’s water treatment plant.

The awarded wine was Crittenden Estate’s Cri De Coeur 2017 Pinot Noir, a new, premium wine that showcases Crittenden’s viticulture and winemaking efforts.

“The Crittenden family has taken great pride in working their land for two generations and in that time their wines have won the accolades of Australia’s food and wine critics,” said Dr. Ed Schneider, BRIT’s president and executive director. “The combination of sustainable programs with the family’s love of the land has produced a wine that’s truly outstanding.”

“To win such a prestigious international award, particularly given the caliber of our fellow entrants is very humbling for us,” said Rollo Crittenden, second generation winemaker at Crittenden Estate. “We’re passionate about our sustainability and regenerative programmes and delighted that they have been recognised in this way by BRIT/FIVS. There is no doubt these efforts contribute directly to an increase in the quality of wine we produce, and we will continue to strive further on both our land care and wine advances over the generations to come.”

Additional BRIT/FIVS sustainable awards went to:

Gold Medals

Vina Cono Sur, Santiago, Chile. Submitted Cono Sur Organic Red Blend.
C. A. Henschke & Co., Keyneton, South Australia. Submitted Henschke Mount Edelstone 2015.

Silver Medals

Herdade dos Grous, Albernoa, Portugal. Submitted Herdade dos Grous Red.
Valdivieso, Santiago, Chile. Submitted Valdivieso Eclat Vigno 2010.

Bronze Medals

Aresti Chile Wine, Talca, Chile. Submitted Family Collection Red
Casa Relvas, Evora, Portugal. Submitted Herdade Sao Miguel Reserve 2015
Luis Felipe Edwards, Vitacura, Chile. Submitted LFE 900 Shiraz

Platinum Multi-brand Award

Jackson Family Wines, Santa Rosa, California. Submitted Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve Chardonnay

“A big round of applause goes to all of our 2020 winners,” says Greg Hodson, President, FIVS. “From their sustainable programs in the field to their progressive workforce and community programs, to being good leaders and stewards within the global wine industry, we congratulate their achievements.”

When entering the competition, wineries provide a self-assessment of their organization’s accomplishments in sustainable winegrowing, winemaking, and ecopreneurial/social responsibility practices. They describe their organization’s conservation efforts in the field and in their operations; how they have sought to minimize waste, how water is reclaimed, and how the winery extends conservation efforts to its customers and communities. They also are asked to submit a wine sample that best represents their sustainable efforts for a tasting by the judging committee.

Because the BRIT/FIVS award is the only international award of its kind, it is of primary interest to wineries who are taking a leading role in their community/region/country by embracing sustainable practices. Sustainable winegrowing programs are by nature ongoing, so a key component of each program involves its continual improvement process.

Presentation of the BRIT/FIVS glass sculpture award to Crittenden Wines will be made in Fort Worth on Wednesday, January 15, 2020, during BRIT’s Vine to Table award dinner and fundraising event.

The 2021 BRIT/FIVS International Sustainable Winegrowing Competition begins in the summer of 2020. Details of the 2021 competition will be posted on the BRIT web site, http://www.BRIT.org/wineaward and on the FIVS web site, https://www.fivs.org.

Tasting Wine Australia With “Largest Group of Aussie Winemakers to Ever Travel to the USA”

October 25, 2019 by evebushman

How about some Aussie wines? This (now past) “tasting offers an unprecedented opportunity to learn more about the current landscape of Australian wines – discover the latest releases, explore new trends, taste special back vintages and engage with the largest group of Aussie winemakers to ever travel to the USA.”

As part of the event, Wine Australia launched two new interactive components: The “Australian Wine Discovered” lounge that gave an “up-close look at Wine Australia’s award-winning free education platform” and the “Made Our Way Theater” that showcased “Cool Climate Reds” presented by Wine Victoria and World-Class Cabernet Sauvignon from Margaret River presented by Margaret River Wine Association.

Sadly I missed the seminars as there was a LOT of wine to cover. Found lots of dark fruit and some spice in the Shiraz and Cab blends at price points beginning at about $20, was told that Spanish varietals from McLaren Vale worked well due to their proximity to the Gulf St. Vincent – and a tasty Nero D’Avola did just that, Sue Henderson of Schild Estate explained how important the generations of family is to their winery, and though there was a change at the helm at MollyDooker a few years back the wines are still awesome and only bottled at a certain Fruit Weight (FW) of 55% or above: “Individual wine parcels have to achieve a certain FW to go into a particular label.”

Of the list below I have noted those in bold that I enjoyed and added in parenthesis any special wines of note. As is my habit I simply cannot visit all exhibitors, so me not noting one doesn’t mean it wasn’t a winery of note! (This is a hyperlink to my public Facebook post with pics of many wines I loved.)

Participating Exhibitors

Accolade Wines, All Saints Estate, An Approach To Relaxation, Angove Family Winemakers, Austral Estates Wines (Brothers in arms 2016 Cab and 2012 Shiraz), Barossa Valley Estate, Blue Pyrenees Estate, Cabernet Corporation, Calabria Family Wines, Cape Mentelle, d’Arenberg (Coppermine Road 2015 Cab, Ironstone Pressings 2016 Grenache Shiraz and The Dead Arm 2016 Shiraz made from vines 50-130 years old), Dandelion Vineyards (March Hare of the Barossa 2015 Mataro – aka Mourvedre), De Bortoli Wines (21 Year Old Tawny Port and Nobel One Botrytis Semillon 2015), Epicurean Wines (Massena Eleventh Hour Shiraz 2016), First Drop Wines, Fowles Wine, Giant Steps, Henschke, Hickinbotham Clarendon Vineyard, Hill Smith Family Vineyards, Howard Park Wines, Hudson Wine Brokers, Jim Barry Wines (Lodge Hill Shiraz 2016 and The Armagh Shiraz 2013), Manser Wines, Margaret River Wine Association, McLaren Vale Grape Wine & Tourism Association (Brash Higgins NDB Nero d’avolo 2016), Mollydooker Wines (All: Blue Eyed Boy Shiraz 2017, Carnival of Love Shiraz 2017, Gigglepot Cab 2017 and The Boxer Shiraz 2017), Mount Langi Ghiran, Negociants USA / Winebow, Old Bridge Cellars (Cullen Mangon Red Moon Malbec Petit Verdot Merlot 2017, John Duval Eligo Shiraz 2017, Kilikanon Oracle Shiraz 2014), Penfolds (Bin 47 Cab 2017), Penley Estate, Periscope Management Pty Ltd (Credero 5 Tales Cab Merlot 2016, Cab 2017, and Chard 2018), Peter Lehmann Wines, Pure Wine Co (Clare Cab 2015), Schild Estate Wines (Narrow Road Shiraz Cab 2016, Grenache Mourvedre Shiraz 2017, Estate Shiraz 2017 Ben Schild Shiraz 2014 and Edgar Schild Grenache 2016), Torbreck Vintners (The Factor Shiraz 2016 and The Struie Shiraz 2016), Tyrrell’s Wines (Vat 8 Shiraz Cab 2016, Shiraz 2017,Rufus Stone Heathcote Shiraz 2016 and Lunitiq Heathcote Shiraz 2014)), Vasse Felix (Margaret River Cab 2015 and Tom Cullity Cab Malbec 2015), Vinaceous Wines, Vintage Longbottom (Henry’s Drive Shiraz Cab 2017 and Shiraz 2017), Wakefield Wines (St Andrews Cab 2015 and Shiraz 2013), Wine Victoria, Wine Yarra Valley, Xanadu, Yalumba Family Winemakers 1849 (The Signature Cab Shiraz 2015 and Coonawarra Cab 2014), Yangarra Estate Vineyard (Ironheart Shiraz 2016 and King’s Wood Shiraz 2017), Yering Station.

https://www.australianwine.com/en-AU

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.

ULTIMATE WINE CHALLENGE Announces 2019 Results

July 14, 2019 by evebushman

Hawthorne, NY – Ultimate Wine Challenge® (UWC), since 2010 the world’s most progressive global wine competition, released the results of the tenth annual Ultimate Wine Challenge. The judging, which took place throughout May, determined 31 Chairman’s Trophy winners, UWC’s highest honor.

Additional recognitions include Finalist, Great Value (awarded to entries with a high price/value ratio – showing that great wines don’t need to be expensive); and the Tried & True Award™, bestowed on brands that have demonstrated unfailing, consistent quality, year after year.

Led by UBC Founder and Judging Chairman F. Paul Pacult, and 16 of the world’s foremost wine experts, buyers, journalists, and educators convened to evaluate more than 1,100 still, sparkling and fortified wines, and sakes from around the world. Ultimate Wine Challenge was held at the custom-designed Ultimate Beverage Challenge (UBC) Evaluation Center in Hawthorne, NY. To view a full list of UWC judges, please visit www.ultimate-beverage.com/uwc2019judges.

Said Pacult of UWC 2019, “Everything we do, each system we’ve installed, is geared to showcase every entry’s virtues on a level playing field of its peers. The responsibility of our judges to render reliable results is paramount to UWC’s mission of No Shortcuts. Just Honest, Impartial Judging.”

Top-scoring wines will be published in the Ultimate Beverage Challenge 2019 Guide To The World’s Best Wines & Spirits in the October 2019 issue of Beverage Media, which is referenced by 70,000 beverage alcohol buyers in the U.S. market.

THE 2019 ULTIMATE WINE CHALLENGE CHAIRMAN’S TROPHY WINNERS

Full results at www.ultimate-beverage.com/uwc2019results
Images at www.ultimate-beverage.com/uwc2019photos

RED WINES
Alexander Valley Vineyards Merlot 2016 Alexander Valley, United States (Merlot—World)
Château La Haye Majesté 2016 Saint-Estèphe, France (Red Wine—France)
Fernández de Piérola Gran Reserva 2004 Rioja, Spain (Red Wine—Spain)
Frey Organic Malbec 2016 Mendocino, United States (Malbec—World)
Gallo Signature Series Zinfandel 2016 Dry Creek Valley, United States (Zinfandel—USA)
J. Lohr Cuvée ST. E 2015 Paso Robles, United States (Red Blend—North America)
Joana da Cana Reserva 2016 Tejo, Portugal (Red Wine—Portugal)
Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 Alexander Valley, United States (Cabernet Sauvignon—World)
McGuigan Hand Made Shiraz 2015 Langhorne Creek, Australia (Shiraz/Syrah—World)
Shiloh Legend Fiddler 2016 Judean Hills, Israel (Red Wine—Eastern Mediterranean)
Sonoma-Cutrer Pinot Noir 2016 Russian River Valley, United States (Pinot Noir—World)
Topografia Reserva Red Blend 2014 Uco Valley, Argentina (Red Blend—Southern Hemisphere)
Villa La Pagliaia 2014 Chianti Classico Riserva, Italy (Red Wine—Italy)
William Fèvre Chile Espino Reserva Especial Carménère 2017 Valle Central, Chile (Other Red Varietals—World)

WHITE WINES
Aluado Chardonnay 2018 Lisboa Vinho Regional, Portugal (White Wine—Portugal)
Kim Crawford Signature Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2017 Marlborough, New Zealand (Sauvignon Blanc—World)
La Perrière 2018 Sancerre, France (White Wine—France)
Pacifica Evan’s Collection Riesling 2017 Washington, United States (Riesling—World)
Protos Verdejo 2018 Rueda, Spain (White Wine—Spain)
Ron Rubin Pinot Gris 2017 Russian River Valley, United States (Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris—World)
SIMI Reserve Chardonnay 2016 Russian River Valley, United States (Chardonnay—World)

ROSÉ WINES
Secret de Léoube 2018 Côtes de Provence, France (Rosé—Europe)
Three Thieves Rosé 2018 California, United States (Rosé—North America)

CHAMPAGNE/SPARKLING WINES
Chapel Down Three Graces 2014 Tenterden, England (Sparkling Wine—World)
J Vineyards Cuvée 20 Russian River Valley, United States (Sparkling Wine—USA)
Mionetto Prestige Brut Prosecco Treviso, Italy (Prosecco—Italy)
Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2012 Extra Brut Rosé Champagne, France (Champagne—France)
Vallformosa Col leció Brut Reserva 2012 Cava, Spain (Cava—Spain)

DESSERT WINE
The Hare Wine Co. Frontier Collection Cabernet Franc Icewine 2017 Niagara-on-the Lake, Canada (Dessert Wine—World)

SAKE
Joto Junmai Ginjo Ibaraki, Japan (Junmai Ginjo—World)

SANGRIA
Tiki Tonga Draft House Tropical White, Spain (Sangria—World)

All products are rated on the 100-point scale. All wines rated 80 points and higher receive an individual results page (accessed by clicking on “MORE DATA…” next to the product name) which provides downloadable marketing art work for the product. Wines rated 85 points and higher receive a tasting note also accessed from the individual results page. UWC results are promoted globally via email and web publication to both trade buyers and consumers.

Ultimate Wine Challenge…No shortcuts. Just honest, impartial judging.

ABOUT ULTIMATE BEVERAGE CHALLENGE
Ultimate Beverage Challenge (UBC) provides expert evaluation of wines and spirits for producers, importers and marketers through its two innovative annual competitions: Ultimate Wine Challenge and Ultimate Spirits Challenge. UBC partners are F. Paul Pacult, Sue Woodley and David Talbot. Photos and more are at ultimate-beverage.com.

Vintage Eve 9/2014: Planning For Healdsburg and Napa

February 13, 2018 by evebushman

I’ll be heading out to Healdsburg for the first time since 2008 soon, and in planning the trip I looked for wineries that friends had recommended and/or I liked their wines already – but have never visited before. I don’t post when I’m actually away, so this article is a precursor to the fun I will be having…later…and then I will do a post-trip story.

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Photo: Seguin Moreau Napa Cooperage Facebook page.

Day One would start with a sit-down tasting at Ramey Wine Cellars in Healdsburg. In perusing their Facebook page I learned that they harvested nearly 60 tons of Napa Cabernet in what might have been “possibly the most condensed harvest in many years…”

They also shared that their 2011 Pedregal Vineyard was given 92 points from Wine Spectator’s James Laube.

Not sure what we will be trying in the tasting room, but I see current wines include Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Claret, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Syrah. Sounds good to me.

Eight minutes down the road we will then be at Mazzocco Sonoma Vineyards and Winery where we will meet and lunch with winemaker Antoine Favero, and then enjoy a private barrel tasting. Their website shows four Wine Spectator award winners for their 2010 Zinfandels: 91 points for Maple, 91 points for Pony Reserve, 91 points for Sullivan and 90 points for Warm Springs.

According to their Facebook page the 2013 Sauvignon Blanc was chosen for the United States Diplomacy Center’s groundbreaking event. Looking forward to trying whatever is offered here.

Next we will venture to visit Seghesio Family Vineyards where we will be checking in at the bar and then meeting with Tony Sciullo, the VIP liaison. Their last Facebook update showed that harvest for them started in late August, “Pinot Grigio was the first to come in, with some Zinfandel from Cloverdale not far behind.”

I became a fan of Seghesio when one of their Zins made Wine Spectator’s wine of the year. Their 2011 Old Vine Zinfandel received 92 points…looking forward to sampling.

The last winery to see on our first day will be Mauritson Family Winery, five minutes away from Seghesio. The winemaker Clay Mauritson, or his wife Carrie, will be hosting our tour and tasting. They show three small children, “future winemakers”, with Clay in several photos of the winery on their Facebook page, I’m hoping we will get a sighting of these cuties!

The website of Mauritson label wines include Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Rose, Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon. The Rockpile labels include lots of Zinfandels, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Can’t wait to review!

That will pretty much end our first day. If you have a reasonably priced suggestion for dinner let me know: Eve@EveWine101.com

Leaving Healdsburg, Day Two will begin at Rocca Family Vineyards in Napa Valley. You read about Rocca recently on Eve’s Wine 101 as they had obtained the title of “Napa Valley Organic Winery of The Year.” We will be meeting with Sales Director John Taylor for our tasting. There seems to be plenty of Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and red blends for us to try! And according to their Facebook page they are currently crushing Merlot.

From Rocca we will probably venture over to Dean and Deluca for lunch supplies and then make a dash for Darioush Winery on Silverado Trail. We have been scheduled for a “Tableside Portfolio Tasting” via concierge Jenna Kennedy.

The Darioush Facebook page reported that they were “safe and sound” after the recent earthquake. Their damage was minimal but they were without power and were closed for one day. Their website promised current releases of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier. Shiraz blend and a late harvest Semillon Sauvignon Blanc.

ZD Wines may be our last trip of this day unless we hit someone up near 4pm…if we have the energy. There are beautiful photos of grape clusters on their Facebook page, as well as a bottle of their 45^th anniversary Chardonnay. Besides maybe trying that one, we look forward to sipping their Reserve Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon…and more.

Bright and early on Day Three we have a special treat, a tour of the Seguin Moreau Napa Cooperage. There will be no swirling and tasting, but there will be aromas! Hoping to see some toasting, bending and whatever else they have in store for us. Earlier this month they showed a cool photo of a barrel being toasted on their Facebook page.

Visit Temecula Valley Reveals Winners of the Second Annual People’s Choice Blind Tasting and Awards

December 17, 2017 by evebushman

TEMECULA VALLEY, Calif. (PRWEB) – Visit Temecula Valley (VTV), in coordination with Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association (TVWA), has announced the winners of the second annual People’s Choice Blind Tasting. The event took place on Sunday, November 12, 2017, at Leoness Cellars, and featured a walk-around blind tasting, a wine seminar led by Master of Wine Roger Bohmrich and a 6-course awards dinner paired with last year’s winning wines.

Doffo Winery’s 2015 Zinfandel took first place in the competition, after taking second place to Wilson Creek’s Petite Sirah at last year’s inaugural event. The 2017 second place winner was Lorimar Winery’s 2014 Syrah, and third place was taken by Thornton Winery’s 2014 Estate Syrah.

“We are beyond thrilled with receiving 1st Place in the People’s Choice competition,” said Damian Doffo, CEO and Winemaker for Doffo Winery. “We work very hard in the vineyard to produce high quality fruit and make exceptional wine. We look forward to sharing with wine with the public in February.”

Over 200 guests tasted 29 wines (6 whites and 23 reds) without knowing any of the wines’ identities, and rated them on a scale of 1-5 during a walk-around wine tasting. The top 12-scoring wines from this portion of the event went on to be poured during a wine seminar led by Master of Wine Roger Bohmrich, where they were again tasted blind and rated on a scale of 1-5, including by Roger himself. Final scores were tallied to determine the top 3 “People’s Choice” wines. Wines could be any variety or a blend, at any price point, as long as they were from the Temecula Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA). Entries ranged from just $24 per bottle to well over $100, and represented a number of grape varieties, from Falanghina to Syrah to Cabernet Franc.

In addition to the walk-around tasting and seminar, the event featured a six-course dinner created by Chef Daragh Matheson from Leoness Cellars, paired with last year’s People’s Choice winners. A VIP reception offered hand-selected pours presented by local winemakers and winery owners. San Diego singer-songwriter Christian Taylor performed throughout the tasting. The evening’s dinner program was emceed by Lindsay Pomeroy, Master of Wine Candidate and owner of the “Wine Smarties” school in San Diego, and a brief keynote was delivered by Bohmrich. Local musician Brian Stodart performed throughout the dinner program.

Sponsors included Gosch Ford, 34° Crisps, Palpula Dips & Sauces, Temecula Lavender Co., Old Town Spice & Tea Merchants, Aall In Limo & Party Bus, Grapeline Wine Tours and American AgCredit. Carter Estate Winery & Resort was the official hotel partner for the event.

The top twelve scoring wines in alphabetical order were as follows:

Avensole Winery 2014 Malbec, $32.95
Baily Vineyard & Winery 2014 Malbec, $25.00
Doffo Winery 2015 Zinfandel, $72.00
Falkner Winery 2014 Rock Creek Syrah, $49.95
Fazeli Cellars 2014 Shiraz, $48.00
Hart Winery 2014 Volcanic Ridge Vineyard Syrah, $60.00
Leoness Cellars 2014 CS Cabernet Franc-Merlot, $38.00
Lorimar Winery 2014 Syrah, $48.00
Miramonte Winery 2014 Estate Syrah, $65.00
South Coast Winery 2016 Viognier, $25.00
Thornton Winery 2014 Estate Syrah, $49.00
Wiens Family Cellars 2015 Sangiovese, $44.00

Most wines can be purchased directly online through each winery’s website. The entire list of wines entered into the competition can be accessed HERE.

ABOUT THE TEMECULA VALLEY AND VISIT TEMECULA VALLEY

With natural gifts of climate and geography, Temecula Valley is widely recognized for its scenic vineyards, award-winning wines, and friendly wineries as Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country. The destination includes the Temecula Valley A.V.A. (American Viticulture Area) as well as Downtown, Old Town Temecula, and Pechanga Resort & Casino.

Visit Temecula Valley is online at VisitTemeculaValley.com; “Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country” on Facebook and @Visit_Temecula on Twitter. The Temecula Valley Visitors Center is located in Old Town Temecula on Mercedes Street adjacent the Old Town Parking Garage. For visitor assistance, call 888/363-2852 or 951/491-6085.

ABOUT THE TEMECULA VALLEY WINEGROWERS ASSOCIATION

Temecula Valley is the largest and most commercially successful winegrowing region in the South Coast AVA, the viticultural zone spanning more than 2 million acres from Riverside County to the San Diego border. The Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association has long served as a steward of the Southern California wine community. Comprising 36 wineries and more than 60 winegrowers, the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association is a nonprofit regional organization dedicated to increasing awareness of the quality wines and wine grapes grown in the Temecula Valley and South Coast Appellations. Established in 1984, the Temecula AVA consists of 33,000 acres, of which approximately 2,500 acres are currently planted to commercial vineyards. Known as Southern California’s wine country, the Temecula Valley is located in Riverside County just one hour from San Diego, Orange County and Palm Springs and 90 minutes from Los Angeles.

Australia Up Close: Part Two

June 16, 2017 by evebushman

…enjoy making new discoveries as well as trying the latest vintages of old favorites.

Last week I wrote about the Australian white wine seminar I attended via the Australia Up Close event; what I learned and what we tasted. It got a little lengthy so I split up the story into two parts. Today is what happened the second part of the day, after the seminar, and is limited to all of the Australian red wines that I sampled in a walk around tasting; those that I loved and hope to get my hands on again.

My favorites (of those tables I got to as I know I missed quite a bit) are listed below. Wineries part of the “Australia’s First Families of Wine” designation that I liked are noted as an AFF Wine.

Trade Tasting Participating Wineries

Andrew Peace Wines

Ashton Hills

Austins

Ben Haines

Best’s Great Western

Bethany

Brokenwood

Brown Brothers

Campbells of Rutherglen

Cape Mentelle – 2013 Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot blend; 2014 Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot blend.

Climbing

Cullen

Dalrymple

d’Arenberg (AFF Wine) – 2013 “The Dead Arm” McLaren Vale Shiraz; 2013 “The Ironstone Pressings” McLaren Vale Grenache, Shiraz, Mourvedre blend; 2013 “The Coppermine Road” McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon; 2011 “The Old Bloke and Three Young Blondes” McLaren Vale Shiraz, Roussanne, Viognier and Marsanne blend. (The Old Bloke…only used 2% of each white wine varietal listed in the blend. They are newly biodynamic and organic. This may have been my favorite table.)

De Bortoli Wines

Delinquente

DiGiorgio Family Wines

Fowles Wine

Giant Steps

Handpicked Wines

Helen & Joey Estate

Henry’s Drive

Henschke Wines

Howard Park (AFF Wine) 2012 “Abercrombie” Mount Barker Great Southern Cabernet Sauvignon; 2009 “Abercrombie” Mount Barker Great Southern Cabernet Sauvignon. (While both were excellent I enjoyed the younger 2012 for all of the outstanding fruit and peppery notes. There was no irrigation used – though the vineyards have irrigation if needed – and the vines were planted in 1975.)

Innocent Bystander

Jansz Tasmania

Jasper Hill

Jim Barry (AFF Wine) – 2014 “1877” Hilltops Shiraz.

John Duval

Kaesler

Kilikanoon

Koonara

Langmeil

Leeuwin Estate

Mac Forbes

McWilliam’s Wines

McPherson Wine Co

Negotiants USA – 2014 Langmeil “Orphan Bank” Barossa Valley Shiraz (Vines had to be moved, 90% survived, and were called orphans due to the move.)

Nova Vita

Ocean Eight

Old Bridge Cellars – 2014 John Duval “Eligo” Barossa Shiraz; 2015 Cullen “Diana Madeline” Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Merlot blend; 2013 Jasper Hill “Georgia’s Paddock” Heathcote Shiraz. (They only made 600 cases of my favorite at this table, the Eligo.)

Penfolds – 2014 “Bin 389” Barossa Valley Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz blend; 2014 “Bin 407” Coonawarra Wrattonbully Cabernet Sauvignon; 2014 “RWT” Barossa Valley Shiraz. (Who isn’t familiar with Penfolds? I stuck to just the wines I didn’t know, so damn good. The vines for these wines were planted between 1951 and 1960.)

Penley Estate

Peter Lehmann – 2012 “Stonewell” Barossa Shiraz.

Pewsey Vale

Pikes

Rob Dolan

Rogers & Rufus

Rymill Coonawarra

Schild Estate – 2013 “Moorooroo Ancestor Vines” Barossa Valley Shiraz. (170 year old vines, two years in both new and old French oak and then two years in bottle before release. Worth the wait for this 100% Shiraz.)

Shaw + Smith

Snake & Herring

Syrahmi

Tahbilk Winery

Thorn-Clarke Wines

Tolpuddle

Torbreck Vintners – 2009 “The Factor” Barossa Valley Shiraz; 2014 “The Struie” Barossa Valley Shiraz; 2014 “RunRig” Barossa Valley Shiraz and Viognier. (Only 3.5 % of Viognier was used in this blend to “soften” the wine and for a “tonal” lift. It worked.)

Tournon

Tyrrell’s Wines

Vasse Felix

Vinaceous

Voyager Estate

Wakefield Wines (AFF Wine) – 2013 “St. Andrew’s” Clare Valley Shiraz had a lovely touch of sweetness and great balance.

Wicks
Wirra Wirra – 2013 RSW McLaren Vale Shiraz (With vines between 40-60 years old, low yield production and the vineyard was originally planted in 1890.)

Woodstock

Yaldara

Yalumba (AFF Wine) – 2013 “The Signature” Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz blend.

Yarra Yering – 2010 “Dry Red No. 1” Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Malbec blend; 2013 “Old Bastard” Barossa Valley Grenache Mourvedre blend. (These both got big “wows” from me.)

Wine 101ers Get: AUSTRALIA UP CLOSE Part One

June 9, 2017 by evebushman

With a geographical size similar to the US and distinct climates, soils and terroirs, its no surprise that Australia boasts an array of wine styles, regions and grape varieties for you to experience.

This was an intriguing teaser to a recent Australian wine event I attended. I went in knowing very little about Australian white wines so I signed up for their seminar, and then knew I would enjoy the walk around tasting to get my fill of the wines I was more familiar with: Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignons and many Bordeaux and Rhone blends.

SEMINAR – White Wines: Unique Expressions of Australian Riesling, Semillon and Chardonnay

Australia is blessed with regions and climates that can produce truly world-class wines from the noblest of vines. Discover the many exciting expressions of Riesling, Semillon and Chardonnay being produced across Australia’s diverse wine regions. Presented by special guests and winemakers, and moderated by Wine Australia.

Our Seminar Panelists

Fahara Zamorano – Head Sommelier, Gwen LA; Matt Kaner – Owner, Bar Covell & Augustine; Kyle Meyer – Wine Exchange; Bruce Tyrrell – Tyrrell’s Wines; Jeff Burch – Howard Park Wines; Jeff McWilliam – McWilliam’s Wines; Mark Davidson, Wine Australia (Moderator).

Seminar Wines – Flavors and Aromas separated by ;

Tyrrell’s Vat 1 Hunter Semillon Hunter Valley 2011 – Green apple, pineapple lemon zest, Mandarin orange and white pepper all on the nose; with lemon-lime, bruised apple and a medium acidity on the palate. 90 Eve pts.

Brokenwood ILR Reserve Semillon Hunter Valley 2009 – I smelled apple, pear, fresh lemon, pears in light syrup; then tasted bright and tangy fresh fruit – same as those I found on the nose. 90 Eve pts.

Ashbrook Estate Semillon Margaret River 2015 – Perfumy aroma, then bruised yellow apple, cream and a pale hint of cinnamon; viscous on the mouth, as well as slightly paler fruit and a long finish. 90 Eve pts.

Silkman Estate Semillon Hunter Valley 2015 – Lemon, toast, grapefruit and unsalted butter on the nose; followed by tart apple and limeade on the palate. 90 Eve pts.

Pewsey Vale Contours Riesling Eden Valley 2011 – Fruit cocktail, green grass to yellow hay, floral and bright; that same bright quality came through on the taste as well as lemon, grass, acidity, bone dry. 90 Eve pts.

Grosset Polish Hill Riesling Clare Valley 2016 – Bright aromas of pears and kiwi fruit; followed by lemon, orange and steel on the palate. 90 Eve pts.

Frankland Estate Isolation Ridge Riesling Frankland River 2015 – Green apple, crushed green leaves and a whiff of orange on the nose; the palate was very sharp citrus fruit: lemon and orange, a slight viscosity and a long dry finish. 90 Eve pts.

Pressing Matters R9 Riesling Tasmania 2015 – My favorite of all the white wines I tasted with aromas of sweet orange blossoms, apple pie and a bit of cream; then came a slightly sweet and lingering fresh lemon-lime fruit on the mouth. 91 Eve pts. (All of the Riesling shared the same bone dry quality, except this expression from Tasmania.)

McWilliam’s 842 Chardonnay Tumbarumba 2013 – Fresh oak, honey, barnyard, earth, citrus, butter and white pepper on the nose; then the taste was tart, some oak and apple. 91 Eve pts.

Moorooduc Estate Chardonnay Mornington Peninsula 2012 – Earthy, dried apple, butter, clove and steely; then bruised apple, tart with medium acid. 90 Eve pts.

Howard Park Miamup Chardonnay Margaret River 2015 – Toast, lemon, cream, and a general feeling of being in a sweet floral garden; the flavors were bright, tart and citrusy with a medium acidity and long finish. 89 Eve pts.

Shaw + Smith M3 Chardonnay Adelaide Hills 2014 – Creamery butter, lemon and green fields; then that same lemon on the mouth, but light, and a leaner acidity. 89 Eve pts.

What I Learned From Our Panelists and the White Wine Tasting

One of our panelists stated that if you remotely expect that a Semillon from Australia would taste like one from Bordeaux, France you would be dead wrong. If you thought that a Riesling from Australia would taste like its German counterpart you would be equally wrong. My tasting notes above probably express this.

Australia is considered a New World wine area, however, Meyer would like us to see their wines as truly old world, but with an edge. The vines are very old, the area is larger than Europe and Phylloxera has never hit them.

The 12 elite wineries in “Australia’s First Families of Wine” group have several criteria to meet including their dedication to promote Australian wine to the global market, 100% family owned and have to have at least a 20 year vertical.

Next week I will run part two of the tasting, the reds I got to try, on June 16 here on this blog.