It is with great pleasure that I reveal to you the results of the 2014 American Fine Wine Competition! As many of you know, the judging process took place last month at Florida International University’s Chaplin School of Hospitality and after two solid days of sipping, swishing and spitting we selected what we thought were the best of what America has to offer. While St. Supéry’s Dollarhide Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon winning Best of Show Red Wine might not come as much of a surprise, how about the wine that took Best of Class Bordeaux Blend? Namely the 2010 Delaplane Williams Gap Blend from…Virginia. Yes, you heard me, Virginia!
Once again it was fun discovering new wines from around the country, getting to spend time with my fellow judges and making new friends including Alan Kalter of the Late Show with David Letterman who will be the Emcee and Auctioneer at the AFWC Gala on April 4th. So without further ado, here are the results of the Best of Show and Best of Class categories for the 7th Annual American Fine Wine Competition. Please click on the link following the list to see the complete results:
Best of Show Red Wine
2010 St. Supéry Dollarhide Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon (retail price $100)
Best of Show White Wine
2011 Maldonado Chardonnay Los Olivos Vineyard, Napa Valley, California ($42)
Best of Show Sparkling
NV Mumm Napa Santana, Napa Valley, California ($50)
Best of Show Late Harvest
2009 Ceja Dulce Beso, Napa Valley, California
Best of Class:
Best of Class Cabernet Franc
2010 Peju Reserve, Napa, California ($110)
Best of Class Bordeaux Blend
2010 Delaplane Williams Gap Blend, Virginia ($56)
Best of Class Dry Rosé
2012 Rugg Rosé, Napa Valley, California ($18)
Best of Class Merlot
2010 Chateau St. Michelle Cold Creek Vineyard Merlot, Columbia Valley, Washington ($35)
Best of Class Petite Sirah
2011 Michael David Earthquake, Lodi, California ($26)
Best of Class Pinot Noir
2011 Miner Pinot Noir Rosella’s Vineyard, Sta. Lucia Highlands, California ($60)
Best of Class Rhone Blend:
2010 Sol Rouge Gypsy Rouge, North Coast, California ($28)
Best of Class Syrah
2009 Gamache Syrah, Columbia Valley, Washington ($30)
Best of Class Zinfandel
2012 Titus Zinfandel, Napa Valley, California ($30)
Best of Class Other Red
NV Reverie Barbera Diamond Mountain District, California ($30)
Best of Class Other White
2012 Ferrante Gewurztraminer, Ohio ($15)
Best of Class Sauvignon Blanc
201 Beltane Ranch Estate Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma Valley, California ($29)
To view the complete list of all results from the 7th Annual American Fine Wine Competition, please click here. Also, don’t forget to mark your calendars for the AFWC Gala on April 4th, for more information, please click here.
Cheers,
While I am not the biggest football fan, there are two teams I definitely get nostalgic about. As a native Floridian, it may come as no surprise that the Miami Dolphins is one of them. I grew up watching and going to games with my family and who can forget "The Perfect Season"? I also lived in Denver for four years in the late 1990's when the Denver Broncos won back to back Super Bowls in 1997 and 1998. That was a very exciting time and needless to say I'm happy to be rooting for them again this year.When it came to choosing which dish to make for Super Bowl XLVIII I thought this recipe for the Denver Post's Pork Green Chile, one of the paper's most requested recipes of all time from their late Food Critic Helen Dollaghan, would be the perfect choice. Especially in light of Denver Mayor Michael Hancock's controversial wager with Seattle's Mayor Ed Murray promising him, among other things, some custom made skis as well as some of Denver's Green Chile in the unlikely event the Broncos lost. This comment has set off a wave of controversy, upsetting many folks from New Mexico where the chile is not only considered a sacred crop but is also the state vegetable. Personally, I think this is all a simple misunderstanding and let me tell you why.I think what the Mayor was referring to was the actual dish of Green Chile (also spelled Chili) rather than the green chile vegetable which Denver admittedly sources from nearby New Mexico in order to make this as well as many other dishes. Denver's delicious abundance of Mexican-inspired cuisine is one of the things I miss most about living there. In fact, some of my fondest memories of Denver involve margaritas and Mexican food at Benny's restaurant with my gals Piper and Christine. Now those were some good times! So the actual dish, not the vegetable, is what I think the Mayor was referring to and you can view the recipe for the Denver Post's Pork Green Chile by clicking here.Before you click on over though, a few helpful tips regarding the preparation:1.) I used thin-sliced pork loin chops although you can use almost any incarnation of pork you'd like (i.e. shoulder, chops).2.) I used three large jalapeños which worked well and added both a nice kick and good flavor to the dish but if you prefer more or less heat, adjust accordingly.3.) In the event you can't find fresh roasted green chiles, two cans of Old El Paso green chiles will do the trick.4.) It doesn't mention it in the recipe but be sure to salt the dish before you serve it. As with any dish you prepare, always check for seasoning before you serve it to your guests.5.) If you're looking for a beverage to pair with this dish, I think your favorite beer of choice would be best; however, if you're in the mood for wine, an off-dry Pinot Gris or Riesling would help tame the heat and refresh your palate.In the meantime I hope all this controversy blows over and everyone just enjoys the game, eats delicious food and has a great time. I'll be enjoying the Denver Post's Pork Green Chile, feeling nostalgic about Denver and rooting for my old home team - Goooooooo Broncos!!!!!Cheers,
I have to admit I’m not the biggest football fan, however there are two teams I do get nostalgic about. As a native Floridian, it may come as no surprise that the Miami Dolphins is one of them. I grew up watching and going to games with my family and who can forget “The Perfect Season”? I also lived in Denver for four years in the late 1990′s when the Denver Broncos won back to back Super Bowls in 1997 and 1998. That was a very exciting time and needless to say I’m happy to be rooting for them again this year.
When it came to choosing which dish to make for Super Bowl XLVIII I thought this recipe for Denver Post Pork Green Chile, one of the paper’s most requested recipes of all time from their late Food Critic Helen Dollaghan, would be the perfect choice. Especially in light of Denver Mayor Michael Hancock’s controversial wager with Seattle’s Mayor Ed Murray promising him, among other things, some custom made skis as well as some of Denver’s Green Chile in the unlikely event the Broncos lost. This comment has set off a wave of controversy, upsetting many folks from New Mexico where the chile is not only considered a sacred crop but is also the state vegetable. Personally, I think this is all a simple misunderstanding and let me tell you why.
I think what the Mayor was referring to was the actual dish of Green Chile (also spelled Chili) rather than the green chile vegetable which Denver admittedly sources from nearby New Mexico in order to make this as well as many other dishes. Denver’s delicious abundance of Mexican-inspired cuisine is one of the things I miss most about living there. In fact, some of my fondest memories of Denver involve margaritas and Mexican food at Benny’s restaurant with my gals Piper and Christine. Now those were some good times! So the actual dish, not the vegetable, is what I think the Mayor was referring to and you can view the recipe for Denver Post Pork Green Chile by clicking here.
Before you click on over though, a few helpful tips regarding the preparation:
1.) I used thin-sliced pork loin chops although you can use almost any incarnation of pork you’d like (i.e. shoulder, chops).
2.) I used three large jalapeños which worked well and added both a nice kick and good flavor to the dish but if you prefer more or less heat, adjust accordingly.
3.) In the event you can’t find fresh roasted green chiles, two cans of Old El Paso green chiles will do the trick.
4.) It doesn’t mention it in the recipe but be sure to salt the dish before you serve it. As with any dish you prepare, always check for seasoning before you serve it to your guests.
5.) If you’re looking for a beverage to pair with this dish, I think your favorite beer of choice would be best; however, if you’re in the mood for wine, an off-dry Pinot Gris or Riesling would help tame the heat and refresh your palate.
In the meantime I hope all this controversy blows over and everyone just enjoys the game, eats delicious food and has a great time. I’ll be enjoying my Denver Post Pork Green Chile, feeling nostalgic about Denver and rooting for my old home team – Goooooooo Broncos!!!!!
Cheers,
Last Friday was the VIP Kickoff Party for the 7th Annual American Fine Wine Competition, a contest whose goal is to identify the best wines America has to offer. 2014 marks the 7th year of this competition that began as the brainchild of husband and wife team Monty and Sara Preiser and Sommelier Shari Gherman.So just how do 700+ wines get judged in 2 days? Well, a panel of 25 judges including Sommeliers, Restauranteurs, Wine Writers and Educators hole up for two solid days at FIU's Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism in Miami and taste through all those wines (I can hear the violins) and ultimately decide which wines will reign supreme. I'm honored to be included as a judge again this year and the 2014 judging takes place later this week, Sunday, January 19 and Monday the 20th. Needless to say, I probably won't be posting another blog until later next week but I will be posting updates on Twitter and Facebook during the judging process so stop by if you're looking for some behind the scenes wine fun.Next week I'll be announcing the winners of the competition and please mark your calendars for Friday, April 4th for the AFWC Charity Wine Gala benefiting Deliver the Dream which will take place at The Boca Raton Resort and Club. As always it is sure to be an amazing evening filled with delicious food and wine. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, please click here. Otherwise stay tuned and enjoy a few more photos from last week's VIP Kickoff party.
Cheers,
Last Friday was the VIP Kickoff Party for the 7th Annual American Fine Wine Competition, a contest whose goal is to identify the best wines America has to offer. 2014 marks the 7th year of this competition that began as the brainchild of husband and wife team Monty and Sara Preiser and Sommelier Shari German.
So just how do 700+ wines get judged in 2 days? Well, a panel of 25 judges including Sommeliers, Restauranteurs, Wine Writers and Educators hole up for two solid days at FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism in Miami and taste through all those wines (I can hear the violins) and ultimately decide which wines will reign supreme. I’m honored to be included as a judge again this year and the 2014 judging takes place later this week, Sunday, January 19 and Monday the 20th. Needless to say, I probably won’t be posting another blog until later next week but I will be posting updates on Twitter and Facebook during the judging process so stop by if you’re looking for some behind the scenes wine fun.
Next week I’ll be announcing the winners of the competition and please mark your calendars for Friday, April 4th for the AFWC Charity Wine Gala benefiting Deliver the Dream which will take place at The Boca Raton Resort and Club. As always it is sure to be an amazing evening filled with delicious food and wine. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, please click here. Otherwise stay tuned and enjoy a few more photos from last week’s VIP Kickoff party.
Cheers,
While not exclusively a "wine word" I'm choosing "atelier" to kick off our Wine Word of the Week series because, as you probably know, it's part of the name of my online wine boutique: The Wine Atelier. As a result, I often get questions like, "What does that mean?" and/or, "How do you pronounce that?" so I thought I'd take this opportunity to explain."Atelier" is defined as, "an artist's or designer's studio or workroom; a workshop, usually a small space," and Merriam-Webster explains this word's origins as, "French, from Middle French astelier woodpile, from astele splinter, from Late Latin astella, diminutive of Latin astula. First known use: 1699." You can also hear the correct pronunciation of this word by clicking here. I chose "atelier" to describe my retail boutique because I wanted to provide my clients with an individualized, education-based experience when shopping for wine featuring wines and producers I've personally selected as opposed to a giant warehouse brimming with all things alcoholic. Unfortunately, these days shopping for wine is less about exploring the world's wine regions and empowering your palate than it is about discounts and sales. Not that price isn't important when shopping for wine, I always offer my clients competitive pricing, I just don't think that should be the only factor driving their decision.So if you want to learn more about and explore the world of wine in addition to enjoying fabulous pricing, I hope you take this opportunity to explore our selection of wines online at The Wine Atelier. As always, if there's something in particular you're looking for, please feel free to contact us at info@wineatelier.com. Thanks for taking the time to learn more about us - we greatly appreciate it and look forward to exploring the world of wine with you in 2014 and beyond!Cheers,
While not exclusively a “wine word” I’m choosing “atelier” to kick off our Wine Word of the Week series because, as you probably know, it’s part of the name of my online wine boutique: The Wine Atelier. As a result, I often get questions like, “What does that mean?” and/or, “How do you pronounce that?” so I thought I’d take this opportunity to explain.
“Atelier” is defined as, “an artist’s or designer’s studio or workroom; a workshop, usually a small space,” and Merriam-Webster explains this word’s origins as, “French, from Middle French astelier woodpile, from astele splinter, from Late Latin astella, diminutive of Latin astula. First known use: 1699.” You can also hear the correct pronunciation of this word by clicking here. I chose “atelier” to describe my retail boutique because I wanted to provide my clients with an individualized, education-based experience when shopping for wine featuring wines and producers I’ve personally selected as opposed to a giant warehouse brimming with all things alcoholic. Unfortunately, these days shopping for wine is less about exploring the world’s wine regions and empowering your palate than it is about discounts and sales. Not that price isn’t important when shopping for wine, I always offer my clients competitive pricing, I just don’t think that should be the only factor driving their decision.
So if you want to learn more about and explore the world of wine in addition to enjoying fabulous pricing, I hope you take this opportunity to explore our selection of wines online at The Wine Atelier. As always, if there’s something in particular you’re looking for, please feel free to contact us at info@wineatelier.com. Thanks for taking the time to learn more about us – we greatly appreciate it and look forward to exploring the world of wine with you in 2014 and beyond!
Cheers,
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