Vibrant and fruity with great tannic structure, this petit verdot benefits from a hint of cabernet franc (9%) and ten months in oak. Lew Parker founded his winery in 1983, making it one of the first in Loudoun County. He and assistant winemaker Brian Stromeyer achieve a full-bodied wine with lush notes of black berries…
Author: Mary Ann
Gold Medal Winner 2021 Competition: Riesling 2019 by Thirsty Owl Wine Co., NY
Celebrating their 20th anniversary in 2022, this Finger Lakes winery has produced more than its share of medal winners. Among their rieslings, this is the mid-sweet one, highlighted by pure fruit and a clean finish. Peach and nectarine meld together nicely on the palate. The Cupp family brings another winner to the table.
Gold Medal Winner 2021 Competition: Cranberry 2020 by Wind Vineyards, VA
Time to get out your favorite sangria recipe! This juicy, tart, delicious cranberry wine can boost your sangria to the next level. Wind Vineyards, located at the coastal plain of the Rappahannock River, suggests this uniquely satisfying hack – perfect for casual quaffing and really any time you have occasion for a party!
Gold Medal Winner 2021 Competition: Eye of the Storm 2020 by Wandering Bard Meadery, SC
Acerglyn mead is mead fermented with a 50/50 mix of honey and pure maple syrup. At Wandering Bard, brewer Brian Daughhetee uses caramelized honey, then ages the blend in Hungarian oak. Joyously sweet, smooth, and silky, this is liquid gold in a glass. Named Eye of the Storm because Brian was literally hunkered down in…
Gold Medal Winner 2021 Competition: Peaches – Mango 2020 by Sleepy Cat Urban Winery, PA
Owners Mark & Carrie Gerencher sourced peaches and mangos for this intriguing blend from orchards across the river in New Jersey. A 50/50 blend of both fruits, the wine is juicy and sweet with low alcohol at 11.3%. In addition to fruit wines, Sleepy Cat produces a full range of grape wines as well, another…
Gold Medal Winner 2021 Competition: Viognier 2020 by Rosemont of Virginia, VA
The team of Justin and Aubrey Rose at Rosemont regularly produce award-winning estate-grown wine. In an exceptional disclosure, they announced due to a freeze in 2020, they lost a significant portion of their crop and sourced this viognier from Zephaniah Farm Vineyard in Loudoun. Congrats on being forthright, and for crafting an oak-aged viognier heady…
Gold Medal Winner 2021 Competition: Meritage 2017 by The Barns at Hamilton Station, VA
This top-of-the-line offering from The Barns at Hamilton Station was crafted by Virginia virtuoso winemaker Michael Shaps. Working with the traditional grapes of Bordeaux – Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec – Shaps selects the best lots of each vintage when vinifying this deeply complex, rich wine.
Gold Medal Winner 2021 Competition: Petit Verdot 2019 by Star in the Valley, VA
Fourth generation grape grower Cara Mroczek teams up with winemaker Shane Waller at Star in the Valley outside Strasburg, Va. At an elevation of over 1000 feet, the vineyard is planted in the gently rolling foothills of Little North Mountain. Petit verdot comes into its own here, due to the drier conditions and cooler growing…
Gold Medal Winner 2021 Competition: Dry Riesling 2019 by Thirsty Owl Wine Co., NY
Located on Cayuga Lake, Thirsty Owl Wine Co. in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York vinifies over 20 varietals and several types of riesling. This dry riesling has only 0.5% residual sugar and shows bright citrus aromas that perfectly complement buttery salmon and fresh shell fish.
Gold Medal Winner 2021 Competition: Covert Wineworks Petit Manseng 2020 by Vint Hill Craft Winery, VA
Petit manseng is a chameleon grape, the perfect expression of Vint Hill’s “Covert Wineworks.” Winemaker Mark Ward produced this wine in a dry style yet highlighting the grape’s pineapple/mango/passionfruit profile. Notes of honey and lime increase complexity.