New York Wine & Food Classic

This years New Yrok Wine & Food Classic was held at Copia in Napa CA. 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 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.

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 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.

Rivendell Winery, located in New Paltz received Best Semi-Dry Riesling wine for their 2006 Soho Cellars Johannisberg Riesling. Congratulations Rivendell!

For more information about this wine competition visit www.newyorkwines.org