Last week I spent some time in the Finger Lakes Region of New York State doing all things wine and wine tourism. I Love New York and Finger Lakes Visitor Connection really know how to welcome you. The first day I was in town, we spent the day on a culinary tour, culminated by visiting the New York Wine & Culinary Center to learn more about New York’s grape varietals and wine growing regions. I was part of a small, select group of wine bloggers brought in to attend the 2015 Governor’s Cup Wine Awards. New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the winners of the 2015 Governor’s Cup wine competition and Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul presented the winners their awards. Ventosa Vineyards won the coveted 2015 Governor’s Cup for their 2011 Lemberger, Estate Grown, and Paumanok Vineyards won Winery of the Year.
“New York’s wine and agricultural industries are among the best in the world, and when people get a taste of what they’ve been missing, they’ll be sure to come back for more,” said Governor Cuomo. “…I am happy to congratulate the winners of today’s Governor’s Cup, and I encourage all New Yorkers to sample some of our state’s best food and beverages. You won’t be disappointed.”
The Governor’s Cup award is a large silver chalice, known as ‘The Oscars’ of New York wine, recognizing the Best of Show from 910 entries in the annual New York Wine & Food Classic competition, organized by the New York Wine & Grape Foundation.
This 2015 New York Wine & Food Classic competition included 858 wines, 20 hard ciders, and 32 craft spirits from across regions of New York State, including the Finger Lakes, Long Island, Hudson valley, Niagara Escarpment, and Lake Erie. The awards were based on blind tastings by 22 expert judges, including prominent wine writers, restaurateurs, retailers, and wine educators. Judging panels determined the initial awards, with top-scoring wines evaluated by all judges for the Best of Category and Governor’s Cup awards. Ventosa Vineyards 2011 Lemberger, Estate Grown, was also voted Best Red Wine and Best Lemberer, and Paumanok Vineyards was voted Best White Wine and Best Overall Riesling.
Oh hey, that’s me at the Awards Ceremony! Photo courtesy of NYS Governor Cuomo’s Office
(source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/governorandrewcuomo/albums/72157657174094315)
After the awards ceremony, we were able to taste many of the wines that were submitted for the competition. I’m tasted many wines over the years, and this was the first time I’d ever tasted a Lemberger. The Ventossa 2011 Lemberger was commanding, but excellent. It has a dominant nose of spices, oak, eucalyptus, red cherry, and hints of juniper and floral aromas, with tart blackberries, red cherries, pepper and, cinnamon on the palate with somewhat unforgiving tannins and a long finish.
The Goose Watch Winery NV Pinot Noir Brut Rose was excellent, as well. It had lots of bright fruit such as cherries, strawberries, and cranberries on the nose and palate with loads of mouth-watering acidity. It was crisp, light, refreshing, and perfect for the crazy hot weather we had all week.
Here’s the complete list of winners from the 2015 New York Wine & Food Classic:
The “Best of Category” awards, all eligible for the Governor’s Cup, were:
- Best Sparkling Wine – Goose Watch Winery Pinot Noir Brut Rosé
- Best White Wine – Paumanok Vineyards 2014 Semi-Dry Riesling
- Best Rosé/Blush Wine – Lime Berry Winery Bunny Bunny Blush
- Best Red Wine – Ventosa Vineyards 2011 Lemberger, Estate Grown
- Best Dessert Wine – Sheldrake Point Winery 2014 Riesling Ice Wine
The “Best of Class” awards, which are given to Double Gold or Gold medal wines in classes of at least 10 wines, were:
- Best Oaked Chardonnay – McCall Wines 2013 Chardonnay Reserve
- Best Unoaked Chardonnay – Glenora Wine Cellars 2014 Chardonnay
- Best Gewürztraminer – Mazza Chautauqua Cellars 2014 Gewürztraminer
- Best Dry Riesling – Dr. Konstantin Frank 2013 Dry Riesling
- Best Medium Dry Riesling – Dr. Konstantin Frank 2013 Riesling, Semi-Dry
- Best Medium Sweet Riesling – Paumanok Vineyards 2014 Semi-Dry Riesling
- Best Sweet Riesling – Glenora Wine Cellars 2014 Riesling
- Best Overall Riesling – Paumanok Vineyards 2014 Semi-Dry Riesling
- Best Sauvignon Blanc – Martha Clara Vineyards 2014 Sauvignon Blanc, Estate Reserve
- Best Pinot Gris – Dr. Konstantin Frank 2013 Pinot Gris
- Best Other Vinifera White Varietal – Inspire Moore Winery 2014 Rhythm
- Best Vinifera White Blend – Casa Larga Vineyard 2014 Chard-Riesling
- Best Traminette – Goose Watch Winery 2014 Traminette
- Best Hybrid White Blend – Tug Hill Vineyards 43° Lat White
- Best Niagara – Americana Vineyards Crystal Lake
- Best Vinifera Rosé – Kontokosta Winery 2014 Rosé
- Best Cabernet Sauvignon – Osprey’s Dominion Vineyards 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
- Best Merlot – Harbes Vineyard 2013 Hallock Lane Merlot
- Best Pinot Noir – Martha Clara Vineyards 2013 Pinot Noir, Estate Reserve
- Best Cabernet Franc – Idol Ridge Winery 2012 Cabernet Franc
- Best Lemberger – Ventosa Vineyards 2011 Lemberger, Estate Grown
- Best Other Red Vinifera Varietal – Standing Stone Vineyards 2013 Saperavi
- Best Vinifera Red Blend – Fox Run Vineyards 2013 Cabernet Franc/Lemberger
- Best Hybrid Red Blend – Raymor Estate Cellars Sunset Red
- Best Fruit – Baldwin Vineyards Strawberry Wine
- Best Cider – Kaneb Orchards St. Lawrence Cider
- Best Spirit – Black Button Distilling Citrus Forward Gin
- Best Late Harvest – Swedish Hill Winery 2014 Late Harvest Vignoles
- Best Ice Wine – Sheldrake Point Winery 2014 Riesling Ice Wine
- Best Vinifera Sparkling White – Sparkling Pointe Vineyards & Winery 2005 Brut Seduction, Methode Champenoise
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