2010 Maryland Governor's Cup Competition

The Maryland Wineries Association just released the results of the 2010 Maryland Governor's Cup Competition with the cup going to Fiore Winery for their Sangiovese 2007. Plus their apple wine must be pretty good. Congratulations. The official presentation will occur during The 27th Anniversary Maryland Wine Festival®, September 18-19 at the Carroll County Farm Museum, Westminster, Maryland.

Best of Class Awards
Best Red: Fiore Winery • Sangiovese 2007
Best Rosé: Knob Hall Winery • Rosé Reserve
Best Red Blend: Serpent Ridge Vineyard • Basilisk 2008
Best Off-Dry: St. Michaels Winery White • 2009
Best Fruit: Fiore Winery • Apple-luscious

Gold Medalists
Black Ankle Vineyards • Crumbling Rock 2008
Black Ankle Vineyards • Rolling Hills 2008
Cygnus Wine Cellars • Blanc de Blanc 2008
Dove Valley Vineyard & Winery • Gold 2008
Fiore Winery • Apple-lucious
Fiore Winery • Sangiovese 2007
Knob Hall Winery • Chambourcin 2009
Knob Hall Winery • Rosé Reserve 2009
Knob Hall Winery • Semi-dry Rosé 2009
Little Ashby Vineyards • Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Little Ashby Vineyards • Super Talbot 2007
Serpent Ridge Vineyard • Basilisk 2008
St. Michaels Winery • "Martha" Chambourcin 2008
St. Michaels Winery • St. Michaels White 2009
Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard • EVOE! 2007

Fiore Winery - Chambourcin Proprietor's Reserve

A couple years ago, Paul Lukacs published a book "The Great Wines of America: The Top Forty Vintners, Vineyards, and Vintages" in which he selected 40 wineries that have been producing the same quality wine for the past decade. One winery that did not make the list, but has been extremely consistent in producing quality chambourcin wine is Fiore Winery and their Chambourcin Proprietor's Reserve. Last week we opened our last bottle of their 2001 vintage which won a Gold Medal at the 2005 LA County Fair. This is a medium bodied wine with a slight grapey nose with cherry flavors and a smooth finish. Their 2004 vintage will soon be available and it was recently awarded a Gold at the 2007 San Diego International Wine Competition and Double Gold at the 2006 Tasters Guild Competition. This makes 6 Gold Medals this wine has been awarded this year. When released, this wine will retail for $17.99. Not a bad price.