San Francisco International Wine Competition Announces Its 30th Anniversary Results

SAN FRANCISCO, July 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Arriving from all points across the United States, 45 wine industry professionals convened June 18th, 19th and 20th to evaluate 3,897 wines from 1,290 wineries during the San Francisco International Wine Competition held at San Francisco's Hotel Nikko.  In its 30th anniversary year, the San Francisco International Wine Competition examined wines from 28 states and 27 countries. The medal count included 160 Double Gold awards (a wine is elevated to Double Gold status when all judges on a particular panel agree that a wine deserves a Gold medal), 276 Gold medals, 1,118 Silver and 1,343 Bronze.

"Best in Show" awards went to:  Whitecliff Vineyard 2009 Riesling, New York, $15, for Best White Wine; Sequana 2008 Pinot Noir, Sarmento Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands, $32, for Best Red Wine; Piper Sonoma NV Blanc de Blancs, Sonoma Coast, $17, for Best Sparkling Wine and Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate 2007 Vidal Ice Wine, Proprietor's Reserve, Niagara Peninsula, Canada, $40, for Best Dessert Wine.

Hess Family Estates, Napa, California, was recognized with the "Portfolio Award" for excellence across a spectrum of brands. Winemaker Amanda Cramer, Niner Wine Estates, Paso Robles, California, won the coveted Andre Tchelistcheff "Winemaker of the Year" award. The Tasting Panel Magazine "Winery of the Year" award went to De Tierra Vineyard of Salinas, California.

Anthony Dias Blue, renowned food and wine authority, directed the competition in its 30th year, one of the most important and comprehensive wine competitions in the world, both for the quality of wines entered and for the high level of expertise among its judges. Blue remarked that "The diversity and global impact of the wine competition was notable with 27 countries submitting, six more than last year.  We also saw a dramatic display of success from the Paso Robles and Monterey regions and were proud to honor a Hudson Valley Riesling from New York with a Sweepstakes win.  The caliber and variety of wines we tasted was stunning, particularly an extraordinary group of Pinot Noirs that wowed the judges."  

"Best of Varietal" winners were awarded in eighteen different categories in 2010:  Brancott Vineyards, 2008 Sauvignon Blanc, B, Marlborough, New Zealand, $26, won Best Sauvignon Blanc; Church & State Wines, 2008 Chardonnay, Gravelbourg Vineyard, Okanagan Valley, Canada, $25, won Best Chardonnay; Clavo Cellars, 2007 Petite Sirah, Dreamer, Catherine's Vineyard, Paso Robles, $30, won Best Petite Sirah; Consensio Cellars, 2008 Tempranillo, Symphony of Wine Series, Amador County, $30, won Best Tempranillo; Elk Run Vineyards, 2008 Cabernet Franc, Cold Friday Vineyard, Maryland, $28, won Best Cabernet Franc; Gonzalez Bayass, NV Nectar, Superior Selection, Jerez, Spain, $18, won Best Sherry; Goose Watch Winery, 2009 Diamond, Finger Lakes, $10, won Best Native American Varietal; Hahn SLH Estate, 2007 Syrah, Santa Lucia Highlands, $27, won Best Syrah; Jeff Runquist Wines, 2008 Barbera, Amador County, $24, won Best Barbera; Kavaklidere, 2009 Egeo Roze, Aegean, Turkey, $19, won Best Rose; Maple Creek Winery, 2007 Zinfandel, Artevino, Largo Ridge Vineyard, Mendocino County, $26, won Best Zinfandel; Montevina Wines, 2009 Pinot Grigio, California, $10, won Best Pinot Grigio; Niner Wine Estates, 2007 Fog Catcher, Paso Robles, $58, won Best Bordeaux Blend; Okunomatsu, 2009 Shizukuzake Juhachidai Sake, Fukushima, Japan, $50, won Best Sake; Paradise View, 2006 Malbec, Sonoma Coast, $32, won Best Malbec; Quinta do Vesuvio, 2007 Port, Douro Portugal, $73, won Best Port; Robert Hall Winery, 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, $18, won Best Cabernet Sauvignon and Still Waters Vineyards, 2006 Merlot, Estate, Paso Robles, $22, won Best Merlot.

Nineteen "Best of Nation" awards highlighted the international scope of entries.  "Best of Nation" awards went to:  Graffigna, Argentina, importer Pernod Ricard; Kilikanoon Wines, Australia, importer Old Bridge Cellars; Ponto Nero, Brazil; Edoardo Miroglio Wine Cellar, Bulgaria, importer Suprex Int'l Ltd; Inniskillin, Canada, importer Constellation Wines U.S.; Terra Noble, Chile, importer Click Wine Group; Petr Skoupil Winery, Czech Republic; Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin, France, importer Moet Hennessy USA; blufeld, Germany, importer Constellation Wines U.S.; Castello Banfi, Italy, importer Banfi Vintners; Bodegas de Santo Tomas, Mexico, importer Torrey Wine; Gomila, Slovenia; Slanghoek Private Selection, South Africa; Kooksoondang, South Korea, importer Bekseju USA; Gonzalez Bayass, Spain, importer SF Wine Exchange; Kavaklidere, Turkey; Brancott Vineyards, New Zealand, importer Pernod Ricard USA; Okunomatsu, Japan, importer Pacific Int'l Liquor; Quinta do Vesuvio, Portugal, importer Premium Port Wines.

The 2010 San Francisco International Wine Competition sponsors were The Tasting Panel Magazine, Waiwera Artesian Water, Geoffrey Nelson Photos and Elements Design Group. Blue also thanked Hotel Nikko in San Francisco for hosting the event.

For a complete list of winners and judges, visit the San Francisco International Wine Competition's website: www.sfwinecomp.com.  Photos can be viewed online at http://j412.smugmug.com/Clients/SFIWC2010/12749815_TiDzS#918429371_CprRL.

SOURCE San Francisco International Wine Competition