The Fifth Annual American Fine Wine Competition Gala!

If you are a fan of American wine, have I got an event for you! Next Thursday, April 19th marks the Fifth Annual American Fine Wine Competition Gala, an event that celebrates the prowess of US wine making. Whether you prefer California Cabernet, Oregon Pinot Noir or New York Riesling, this event has something for every palate. 

The competition is the brainchild of co-founders Shari Gherman and Monty and Sara Preiser, all wine industry insiders who held the first AFWC event in 2007. The team also selects all the wines for the competition, which is by invitation only. This year I was honored to be included on the Judges Panel for the competition. The panel consisted of an esteemed assortment of wine professionals from a variety of domains including wine educators, wine writers, restaurateurs and sommeliers.  

Responsibilities of the position included two full days evaluating 635 wines, divided equally among the panel which was subdivided into groups of four. Each foursome would taste through their assigned flights and award each wine a medal of gold, silver, bronze or, very rarely, no medal. The final score for each wine was an average of the judge's individual scores. In the event that each judge rated the wine a Gold, the wine received a Double Gold medal and was immediately in contention for a Best in Class or Best in Show designation. By the end of the two day judging process, we had the opportunity to sample some wonderfulUS wines. While many were from California, there were remarkable offerings from other states as well including Texas, Ohio and New York. It was a wonderful experience working with the incredible team of judges and after all the tasting and evaluating, the final results are as follows:

Best of Show White

2009 Castello di Amorosa "Il Passito" Reserve Late Harvest Semillon, North Coast

Best of Show Red

2009 La Follette Manchester Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir, Mendocino Ridge

Best of Class Awards

2007 Peju Province Winery Cabernet Franc Reserve, Rutherford

2009 Mumm Napa Chardonnay, Carneros

2009 Daou Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Paso Robles

2008 Rocca Family Vineyards Merlot, Yountville

2007 Merriam Vineyards "Miktos" Bordeaux Blend, Sonoma

2009 Jada Vineyard & Winery "Hell’s Kitchen" Rhone-style blend, Paso Robles

2010 Ledson Winery & Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley

2005 Mumm Napa DVX Sparkling Wine, Napa Valley

2008 Sol Rouge Syrah, Lake County

2009 Michael David Winery "Gluttony" Zinfandel, Amador County

2010 Ferrante Winery "Golden Bunches" Riesling, Grand River Valley, Ohio

Prager Winery & Port Works 10-year-old "Noble Companion" Tawny, Napa

Next Thursday's Gala will include 600 of the wines featured in the competition as well as the culinary expertise of Chef Emeril Lagasse who will perform a cooking demonstration for lucky attendees. Prior to dinner, a drawing will be held allowing eight lucky guests to sit on stage at "Emeril's Table" to enjoy the demonstration close-up. Alan Kalter, announcer for Late Night with David Letterman, will serve as emcee and Auctioneer for the evening and entertainment will be provided by Dayve Stewart and the Vibe. The Fifth Annual American Fine Wine Competition Gala benefits the Diabetes Research Institute and the Golden Bell Education Foundation and is sure to be a fabulous evening for a very worthy cause.

The Gala will be held at the Boca Raton Resort and Club and starts at 6pm, tickets are $310. For more information or to purchase tickets for the event, please click here. Hope to see you there!

Cheers,

"Celebrity Press Judging" for the 4th Annual American Fine Wine Competition!

Fabulous Flight of Syrah

In anticipation of the 4th Annual American Fine Wine Competition, a Press Judging was recently held that offered a sneak peek at some of this years vinous contenders! As the name implies, this South Florida-based competition celebrates only American produced wines while raising money for some fabulous local charities in the process. The wines for the event are selected by Co-founders Shari Gherman and Monty and Sara Preiser, all wine industry insiders who held the first AFWC event in 2007.

2007 Mithra Cabernet Sauvignon


The press judging was held at Jet Runway Café in Ft. Lauderdale and involved a presentation of four flights of wine including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. The setting was impressive, featuring a lineup of private jets lined up on the tarmac directly outside the expansive windows that surrounded our tables - appropriate ambiance for the presentation of the "flights!" We swirled and sipped our way though the four wines in each flight, assigning them rankings and an ultimate "medal" designation during the interactive judging process. Of the sixteen wines, standouts included those from Phelps Creek Vineyards, Russian Hill Estate, Mithra Winery, Brochelle Vineyards and Papapietro Perry Winery.

Pan Seared Salmon = Perfect for Pinot!

Following the judging portion of the evening, we were treated to a five course dinner prepared by Silver Lining Catering that paired beautifully with the selection of wines. The fabulous menu I just have to share with you consisted of Lobster, Crab and Coconut Ceviche which harmonized beautifully with the selection of Chardonnays from Phelps Creek, Castillo de Amorosa, Deerfield, and Mattabella; Crisped Pan Seared Salmon with Braised Red Cabbage, Parsnip Puree and Balsamic Reduction that was perfect with Pinot Noirs from Russian Hill, Z’IVO, Gunthier, and Papapietro; Hand Rolled Three Mushroom Ravioli with Pesto Cream Sauce, Cabernet Reduction and Fresh Herbs that paired beautifully with both the Cabernet Sauvignon from Pope Valley, Mithra, Seven Hills, Barnett AND the Pinot Noir (yes, I cheated!) and lastly, one of my all time faves, Syrah Braised Short Rib with Sage Infused Winter Root Vegetable Hash that was positively delicious paired with the Syrah selections from David Earthquake, Bianchi, Brochelle and Hyde Vineyard. Ahhh, all in a days tasting!

The 4th Annual American Fine Wine Competition takes place on January 16 & 17, 2011 at the Hyatt Pier 66 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. The competition, featuring more than 600 wines and judged by some of South Florida's most respected wine professionals, is closed to the public, but don't fret! All of the wines can be tasted, accompanied by a wine-inspired four course dinner, at the American Fine Wine Competition Gala on February 12, 2011. In addition to the food and wine, highlights include Guest emcee, Alan Kalter (announcer for the Late Show with David Letterman), performing artist Michael Israel and internationally acclaimed Saxophonist Dayve Stewart & The Vibe. Proceeds from the Gala will benefit the Diabetes Research Institute and the Sun Sentinel Children’s Fund. Hope to see you there for an evening of food, wine and fun all for a very good cause!

Cheers,