Third Annual Hudson Valley Wine Competition Winners

Poughkeepsie, NY, February 23, 2007 --(PR.com)-- Stoutridge Vineyard & Winery was the setting on Sunday, February 18, 2007 for the Third Annual Hudson Valley Wine Competition.  The competition was open to all commercial wineries in the Hudson Valley AVA using New York State fruit, but more exclusively, Hudson Valley fruit.

This competition highlights the quality of our regions wines and the growing interest the public has for them.  The wines were judged by a panel of distinguished wine experts.  The judges included, Robert Gutenstein, Past President International Wine & Food Society; Harriet Lembeck, Wine Educator & Writer, New School University NYC; William Lembeck, Society of Wine Educators; Scott Mayger, General Manager, Telepan Restaurant, NYC, formely Sommelier at wd-50, la Caravelle, The Plaza Hotel; Beth von Benz, Sommelier Porter House Restaurant, NYC; and Jennifer Redmond, Manager, Enthusiastic Spirits & Wine, Gardiner NY.

The Grand winners in the Third Annual Hudson Valley Wine Competition are:
The Best Hudson River Region (AVA) Wine - The Cornell Cup Brookview Station's "2006 Semi-Dry Apple Wine."  The Best of Show Cup Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery  "American Fruits Cherry (Sour) Liquor." The Best White Wine Brotherhood Winery "2005 Seyval Blanc" and The Best Red Table Wine to Oak Summitt's "2005 Pinot Noir" for the 2nd year in a row.

There were 72 wines entered in 13 individual categories.  Millbrook Vineyard & Winery, Whitecliff Vineyard & Winery and Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery were all awarded the most...five medals each... in various categories for their wines.

The following wineries won awards for their wines in the order of points scored: 

Sparkling (grape): Silver Medal, Baldwin Vineyards "Memories," Silver Medal, Brotherhood Winery "Blanc de Blancs."

Chardonnay: Gold Medal, Millbrook Vineyard & Winery "2005 Castle Hill Chardonnay," Silver Medal, Whitecliff Vineyard & Winery "2005 Reserve Chardonnay," Bronze Medal, Millbrook Vineyard & Winery "2005 Proprietor's Special Reserve Chardonnay."

White Hybrid: Gold Medal, Brotherhood Winery "2005 Seyval Blanc," Silver Medal, Whitecliff Vineyard & Winery "2005 Awosting White," Bronze Medal, Brimstone Vineyard "2005 Vidal Blanc."

White/Riesling & Flowery: Gold Medal, Adair Vineyards "2006 Cayuga White," Silver Medal, Rivendell Winery "Northern Lights," Silver Medal,  Baldwin Vineyards "Riesling."

Cabernet Franc: Bronze & Silver Medals respectively, Millbrook Vineyards & Winery "2005 Proprietor's Special Reserve" & "2005 Block Three East," Bronze Medal, Palaia Vineyards "2003 Cabernet Franc."

Merlot: Silver Medal, Whitecliff Vineyard & Winery "2005 Merlot," Silver Medal, Rivendell Winery "2003 Merlot," Bronze Medal, Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery "2005 Merlot."

Red Hybrid: Silver Medal,  Benmarl Vineyards, "2005 Baco Noir."

Cabernet Sauvignon: Silver & Bronze Medals respectively, Whitecliff Vineyard & Winery "2003 Cabernet Sauvignon" & "2005 Sky Island Red," Bronze Medal,  Rivendell Winery "2004 Cabernet Sauvignon."

Sparkling Fruit: Gold and Silver Medals respectively, Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery "Doc's Hard Apple Cider" and "Doc's Hard Pear Cider," Bronze Medal, Clinton Vineyards "Peach Gala."

Apple/Pear: Gold and Silver Medals respectively, Brookview "2006 Semi-Dry Apple" and "Oh What a Pear"

Other Fruit: Gold Medal, Adair Vineyard "2006 Peche," Silver Medal, Baldwin Vineyard's "Raspberry."

Dessert Fortified: Gold and Silver Medals respectively, Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery American Fruits Cherry (Sour) Liquor," "Bourbon Barrel Aged Apple Liquor" Gold Medal, Alison Winery "Cassis" 

The Awards will presented at the Awards Banquet on Saturday March 24, 2007.  The Awards Banquet is open to the public and is being held at Stoutridge Vineyards in Marlboro, New York.  The Main Course Restaurant will be pairing the winning wines with  delectable dishes for your enjoyment.  The Awards Banquet starts at 2pm and concludes at 4pm with the awards ceremony.  Tickets cost $55 per person and include, admission, 2007 HVWGA wine glass,  each of the winning wines from every category paired with food from the Main Course in New Paltz. 

For more information on the Hudson Valley Wine & Grape Association visit them on the web at www.hvwga.com

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