Best of Show 2019

NV Celebre by Dr. Konstantin Frank, NY

Dr. Konstantin Frank Sparkling Célèbre (n/v) is a sparkling Finger Lakes AVA riesling made with estate-grown grapes from the shale-dominant Keuka Vineyard. Grapes were hand-picked and only the gentle first pressing was used in this cuvee. The sparkler was made in the traditional champagne method, wherein the secondary fermentation that produces fine bubbles takes place in each individual bottle. It is cremant in style, that is, slightly sweet, with notes of apple, honey and spice.

Meaghan Frank, the 4th generation of the Frank family at the helm of this great American winery, says, “We’ve been making the Célèbre Sparkling Riesling for nearly 30 years now, it was the brainchild of my grandfather Willy Frank and has become our most popular sparkling wine in our lineup. We couldn’t be more thrilled about winning the ‘Best of Show’ from the prestigious Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition.”

Though labeled a non-vintage, all the juice for this particular bottling came from the 2016 vintage. Dr. Frank’s Sparkling Winemaker Eric Bauman gives more background on the winner: “The 2016 vintage was one of the hottest, sunniest, and driest we can remember, making this release of Célèbre particularly special. The grapes enjoyed a long growing season allowing them to develop with greater concentration. The Célèbre combines exactly what we do best, sparkling + Riesling here in the Finger Lakes.”