Results of the 2007 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition

Thanks to the Finger Lakes Weekend Wino for alerting us that the results of the 2007 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition have been posted. The year the annual event was held March 31st and April 1st in Rochester New York. Just over 1,700 wines were submitted, representing wineries in the United States, Canada, and other other international wine producing regions. Most of the judges reside in New York, but some came as far away as France, Germany, United Kingdom, Argentina, and New Zealand.

Besides awarded traditional medals, this competition bestows a Best Ice Wine and Best Riesling award. The Best Ice Wine was given to Vignoble du Marathonien from Havelock Quebec for their 2004 Vin de Glace Vidal Ice Wine. My limited French translated the wine's description as follows. "The wine is made from 100% Vidal grapes and was harvested in December when temperatures were between -10 and -14 degrees Celsius." The wine is priced at 50 Canadian dollars. The Best Riesling was awarded, not to a New York or Germany winery, but to Washington's Chateau St. Michelle, for their 2005 Columbia Valley Horse Heaven Hills Reserve Ethos Late Harvest White Riesling. That's a mouthful in itself. According to winemaker Bob Bertheau, this is “a complex wine, the Ethos Late Harvest Riesling exudes aromas of honey, apricot and spice. The harmonious balance of sugar and natural acidity results in a smooth and viscous mouth feel and a long-lasting finish.” This wine retails for $39.99.

There were quite a few wines that were awarded Double Gold medals, in which the judges unanimously decided the wine deserved a Gold medal. The list includes:

Vignoble Clos Saint-Denis (QC), 2005 Fine Pomme de Glace Aged in Oak Casks
Cosentino Winery (CA), 2005 California The Franc
Bronco Wine Company, Napa Ridge Winery 2004 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Honeymoon Trail Winery (NY), Lake Erie Pink Catawba
Jacob's Creek Wines (AU), 2006 South Eastern Australia Chardonnay
Galen Glen Vineyard and Winery (PA), 2005 PA Stone Cellar Vidal Blanc Ice Wine
Reif Estate Winery (ON), 2004 Vidal Icewine
Royal DeMaria Winery (ON), 2003 Niagara Peninsula RDW Vineyards Vidal Icewine
Weingut Frey, 2005 Essinger Osterberg Kerner Beerenauslese
Lynfred Winery (IL), 2005 Malbec
North Lake Wines (Chile), Escudo Rojo 2003 Maipo Chile Red (55% Cab Sauv / 27% Carmenere / 8% Cab Franc / 7% Syrah)
Gallo Family Vineyards (CA), Twin Valley California Merlot
WineHaven Winery & Vineyard (MN), Minnesota Raspberry Wine
Wimbledon Wine Company (CA), Hahn Estates Winery 2005 Monterey Pinot Noir
Centarra Wine CO (NZ), Monkey Bay 2006 Hawkes Bay New Zealand Rose (70% Merlot / 17% Malbec / 7% Pinot age / 6% Syrah)
Widmer's Wine Cellars (NY), NV Widmer Solaira Cream Sherry
J. Lohr Winery (CA), 2005 Paso Robles South Ridge Syrah (80% Syrah / 10 % Petite Verdot / 5% Petite Syrah)
Jackson Wine Estates International (AU), Yangarra Estate Vineyard 2005 McLaren Vale Estate Grown Shiraz
Wild Wood Winery (CA), 2003 Syrah Gina
Wimbledon Wine Company (CA), Hahn Estates Winery 2004 Central Coast Syrah
Arbor Hill Grapery (NY), 2005 Finger lakes Classic Traminette
Rappahannock Cellars (VA), 2006 Virginia Viognier
York Mountain Winery (CA), 2005 Paso Robles Viognier