Ultimate Wine Challenge 2013 Announces Competition Results

NEW YORK, June 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Ultimate Beverage Challenge® (UBC), is proud to announce the results of the annual Ultimate Wine Challenge® (UWC) held on June 3-7, 2013. With a record 800+ wine entries this year – up 10% over last year - 39 superior wines received the highest score in their category and were awarded the Chairman's Trophy. Scores of wines were named Finalists and many named "Great Values" based on their score-to-price relationship, which shows that a great tasting wine doesn't have to cost a fortune. All wines rated 80+ are listed in the results and all wines rated 85+ include tasting notes. Full results here - www.ultimate-beverage.com/UWC2013Results

UBC Founder/Judging Chairman F. Paul Pacult, UBC partner/Judging Co-Chairman Sean Ludford and 15 of the world's foremost wine buyers, authors, journalists and sommeliers, including six Masters of Wine, assessed and scored the entries using UWC's innovative multi-round judging system and the consumer-friendly 100-point rating scale. All wines were judged in appropriate glassware and grouped in flights according to grape type, region and price. The judges did not know the identity of the entries in order to ensure unbiased evaluations.

UWC judges were: Christy Canterbury, MW; James Conley; Mary Ewing-Mulligan, MW; Doug Frost, MS, MW; Debbie Gioquindo; Mary Gorman-MacAdams, MW; Ed McCarthy; John McClement; Jean K. Reilly, MW; Jack Robertiello; Patricia Savoie; Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan, MW and Tara Q. Thomas.

Top scoring wines will be published in the Ultimate Beverage Challenge 2013 Guide to the World's Best Wine & Spirits in Beverage Media (October 2013), distributed to 60,000+ beverage alcohol buyers in the US.

Downloadable images available: www.ultimate-beverage.com/2013UWCpics

2013 Ultimate Wine Challenge Chairman's Trophy Winners
www.ultimate-beverage.com/UWC2013Results

Red Wines:

• Basel Cellars Pheasant Run Vineyard Syrah 2007 Walla Walla, United States
• Bodegas Regina Viarum Mencia 2011 Ribeira Sacra, Spain
• Brazin (B)Old Vine Zinfandel 2010 Lodi, United States
• Capafons-Osso Sirsell 2007 Priorat (DOC), Spain
• Finca Las Moras Black Label Malbec 2011 San Juan, Argentina
• Handley Cellars Pinot Noir 2009 Anderson Valley, United States
• J. LOHR Tower Road Petite Sirah 2011 Paso Robles, United States
• Malibu Vineyards Cabernet Franc 2010 Western Malibu, United States
• Marques de Riscal Rioja Reserva 2007 Rioja (DOC), Spain
• Nitty Gritty Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 Napa Valley, United States
• Noble Vines 181 Merlot 2011 Lodi, United States
• Poli Phonia Reserva Red Blend 2011 Alentejo, Portugal
• Ross Wines Tier 1 2006 Barossa Valley, Australia
• Ruffino 2011 Chianti Classico (DOCG), Italy
• Sequoia Grove Cambium 2008 Napa Valley, United States

White Wines:

• Albanta Albarino Bodegas Altos de Torona Albarino 2011 Rias Baixas, Spain
• Drassanes White 2012 Valencia, Spain
• Dr. Konstantin Frank Pinot Gris 2011 Finger Lakes, United States
• Dr. Konstantin Frank Semi-Dry Riesling 2012 Finger Lakes, United States
• Harbor Town Sauvignon Blanc 2012 Marlborough, New Zealand
• Handley Cellars Gerwurztraminer 2012 Anderson Valley, United States
• Lobo Wines Wulff Vineyard 100% Estate Chardonnay 2011 Oak Knoll District, United States
• Quails' Gate Estate Grown Chenin Blanc 2011 Okanagan Valley, Canada
• Solista Verdelho 2012 Alentejo, Portugal
• Two Oceans Moscato 2012 Western Cape, South Africa

Rose Wines:

• Le Caprice de Clementine Les Valentines 2012 Cotes-de-Provence, France

Champagne/Sparkling Wines:

• Domaine Carneros by Taittinger Cuvee de la Pompadour Rose NV Napa Valley, United States
• Moet & Chandon Imperial Brut NV Epernay, France
• Rotari Talento Rose NV Trento DOC, Italy

Dessert Wines/Cider:

• Feudo Arancio Hekate Passito 2009 Sicily IGT, Italy
• Vermont Ice Cider Apple 2011 Vermont, United States
• Whistler Icewine Diamond Estates Vidal Blanc 2011 Niagara Peninsula, Canada

Aperitifs:

• BarSol Perfecto Amor 2010 Ica, Peru

Fortified Wines:

• Barbadillo San Rafael Oloroso Dulce NV Jerez-Xeres-Sherry, Spain
• Cockburn's 10 Year Old Tawny Port NV Douro, Portugal

Sake:

• Hiro Sake Junmai Sake NV Murakami, Niigata, Japan
• Hiro Sake Junmai Ginjo Sake NV Murakami, Niigata, Japan
• Nichiei Junmai Dai-Ginjo Sake NV Ishikawa, Japan
• Shirakawago Sasanigori Nigori Sake NV Gifu, Japan

Ultimate Wine Challenge...like no other competition and doesn't want to be.

Ultimate Beverage Challenge (UBC) provides expert evaluation of wines and spirits for producers, importers and marketers through its innovative annual competitions – Ultimate Spirits Challenge and Ultimate Wine Challenge. UBC partners are F. Paul Pacult, Sue Woodley, Sean Ludford and David Talbot. Challenge results from 2010 – 2013, photos, videos and press coverage at www.ultimate-beverage.com.

SOURCE Ultimate Beverage Challenge