"Terroir" is a term perhaps more understood in parts of the world with a longer history of growing wine grapes than in the U.S., a comparative newcomer to the field.But terroir's impact is beginning to be recognized. The annual Grand Harvest Awards judging in Santa Rosa, CA, for example, bills itself as "the only wine-judging event in North America that is based on terroir -- a group of vineyards (or even vines) from the same region, belonging to a specific appellation, and sharing the same type of soil, weather conditions, grapes and wine making savoir-faire, which contribute to give its specific personality to the wine."
The idea of hinging a competition on such criteria is "to acknowledge the influence of terroir" compared to other competitions in which the factor is ignored.
Gold medalists in the recent event:
AUSTRALIA
• Barossa Valley: Peter Lehmann, 2005 Shiraz, $15.
• Clare Valley: Wakefield, 2005 Riesling, $16.99.
• South Australia: Wakefield Promised Land, 2006 Chardonnay, Unwooded, $12.99.
• Southeastern Australia: Black Swan, 2006 Shiraz, $8; Black Swan, 2006 Shiraz/Merlot, $8; Black Swan, 2006 Riesling, $8.
BRITISH COLUMBIA
• Okanagan Valley: Burrowing Owl Estate, 2005 Cabernet Franc, $33; Burrowing Owl Estate, 2005 Syrah, $38; Ganton & Larsen Prospect Winery, 2006 Vidal Ice Wine, $29.99; Mission Hill Family Estate Reserve Wines, 2006 Riesling Ice Wine, Mission Hill Reserve, $59.99.
ONTARIO
• Niagara Peninsula: Heritage Series, 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, $11.45; Hillebrand Trius, NV Brut, $24.95; Magnotta Winery, 2006 Sparkling Ice Wine, Limited Edition, $49.95.
NEW ZEALAND
• Marlborough: Kathy Lynskey Wines, 2006 Pinot Noir, Block 36 Reserve, Dry $39; Whitehaven, 2006 Sauvignon Blanc, $22.
SOUTH AFRICA
• Cape: Sebeka, 2007 Shiraz/Pinotage, Western Cape, $10.
CALIFORNIA
• Geyser Peak Winery, 2007 Sauvignon Blanc, $12; Korbel Cellars, NV Champagne Chardonnay, $11; Pepi, 2006 Pinot Grigio, $11; Redtree, 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, $8; Sutter Home, 2006 Pinot Grigio, $5; Sutter Home, 2006 White Zinfandel, $4; Trinity Oaks, 2006 Pinot Noir, $8.
• Alexander Valley: Wattle Creek Winery, 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Vintage Select, $85.
• Central Coast: Bonny Doon Vineyard, 2006 Le Vol des Anges, Beeswax Vineyard, $30; Bonny Doon Vineyard, 2007 Albarino, Ca' del Solo Vineyard, $20; Bridlewood Winery, 2006 Viognier, Reserve, $20; Bridlewood Winery, 2004 Syrah, Reserve, $24; Cycles Gladiator Wines, 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Dry, $9.99; Five Rivers Winery, 2006 Pinot Grigio, $9.99; Hahn Estates Wine, 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Dry, $14; Kendall-Jackson, 2005 Syrah, Alisos Hills, $35; Michael Grace Wines, 2004 Syrah, Paradise Vineyard, $22; San Saba, 2006 Chardonnay, $20; Saucelito Canyon Vineyard, 2006 Zinfandel, $23; Saucelito Canyon Vineyard, 2006 Zinfandel 1880, $68; Sunstone Winery, 2005 Merlot SBC, Estate, $28.
• Central Valley: Dancing Coyote Wines, 2006 Rhumba, $10.99.
• Cucamonga Valley: Rancho De Philo, NV California Triple Cream Sherry, $34.95.
• Dry Creek Valley: Dutcher Crossing Winery, 2006 Zinfandel, Maple Vineyard, $39.
• Lodi: California's Jewel, 2005 Merlot, $10.99; Earthquake Petite Sirah, 2005 Petite Sirah, $28; Hamilton Oaks Vineyard, 2003 Barbera, $27; Harlow Ridge Winery, 2006 Chardonnay, $6.99; Incognito, 2006 Viognier, $19.50.
• Los Carneros: Fleur de California, 2006 Pinot Noir Vin Gris, $13; Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards, 2004 Blanc de Blancs, $24.
• Mendocino: Bonterra Vineyards, 2006 Chardonnay, $12.99; Bonterra Vineyards, 2005 Merlot, $14.99; Brutocao Cellars, 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Hopland Ranches, $22; Brutocao Cellars, 2005 Zinfandel, Hopland Ranches, $22; Claudia Springs Winery, 2005 Pinot Noir, $20; Claudia Springs Winery, 2005 Zinandel, Vassar Vineyards, .$24; Navarro Vineyards, 2006 Pinot Noir, Deep-End Blend, $52; Navarro Vineyards, 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, $35;
Navarro Vineyards, 2006 White Riesling, Cluster Select, $59; Three Families Winery, 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, $16; Wattle Creek Winery, 2007 Sauvignon Blanc, $17.
• Napa Valley: Bell, 2006 Chardonnay, $26; Casa Nuestra Winery & Vineyard, 2005 Tinto St. Helena, $30; Napa Cellars, 2006 Sauvignon Blanc, $18; Rutherford Ranch, 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Dry, $48; Rutherford Ranch, 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, $18; Ryham Estate Vineyards, 2005 Malbec, Ryhan, $14.99; Terremoto Cellars, 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Asbill Vineyard, $35; V. Sattui Winery, 2006 Chardonnay, $24.
• North Coast: 39 Degrees, 2006 Sauvignon Blanc, $10; Brassfield Estate Winery, 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, High Serenity Ranch, $23.99; Charles Creek Vineyard, 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Las Pasiones, $39; Charles Creek Vineyard, 2005 Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon, Miradero, $32; Dutcher Crossing Winery, 2006 Chardonnay, Stuhlmuller Vineyard, $39; Geyser Peak Winery, 2006 Chardonnay Reserve, $23; Geyser Peak Winery, 2006 Chardonnay, $13; Hughes Family Vineyards, 2005 Syrah, Savanah Vineyard, $40; Leveroni Vineyards, 2006 Pinot Noir, $18; Little Vineyards, 2005 Cabernet, Little Vineyards, $40; Rosenblum Cellars, 2005 Syrah, Hillside Vineyards, $25; Shannon Ridge Vineyards & Winery, 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, $19; Shannon Ridge Vineyards & Winery, 2006 Chardonnay, $24; Shannon Ridge Vineyards & Winery, 2006 Wrangler Red, .$17; Stonestreet Alexander Mountain Estate, 2005 Chardonnay, $23; Trecini Cellars, 2005 Syrah, Ladi Vineyard, $25; Wildhurst Vineyards, 2006 Sauvignon Blanc, $11; Wildhurst Vineyards, 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, $16.
• Paso Robles: Jeff Runquist Wines, 2004 Syrah, Three Way Vineyard, $40; Sculpterra Winery, 2006 Red Blend, Maquette, $40;
The Midlife Crisis Winery, 2005 Syrah, $22; Victor Hugo Winery, 2006 Viognier, Estate, $18.
• Russian River Valley: Amphora, 2006 Pinot Noir, Windsor Oaks, $45; Bogle Vineyards, 2005 Pinot Noir, $13; Hawley Wines, 2006 Chardonnay, $22; J. Lynne, 2006 Chardonnay, $19; Longboard Vineyards, 2006 Pinot Noir, $28; Longboard Vineyards, 2004 Syrah, $28; Pug Wine, 2006 Pinot Noir, Amber Ridge, $35.
• San Benito: Kenneth Volk Vineyards, 2005 Negrette, Caleri Vineyard, $24.
• San Francisco Bay: Sycamore Creek, 2005 Petit Verdot, Uvas Creek, $24.95.
• Santa Maria Valley: Kenneth Volk Vineyards, 2005 Chardonnay, Sierra Madre Vineyard, $24.
• Sierra Foothills: Bell, 2006 Syrah, Canterbury Vineyard, $26; Bray Vineyards, 2007 Barbera Rosato, $16; Conti Estate/Charles B. Mitchell Vineyards, 2005 Sangiovese, Bella Rossa, $18; Jeff Runquist Wines, 2006 Barbera, Dick Cooper Vineyard, $24; Mount Aukum Winery, 2006 En Fuego/Red Rhone Blend, $26; MV. Miller Vineyards, 2005 Barbera, Rancho Olivo Vineyards, $20; MV. Miller Vineyards, 2005 Petite Sirah, Rancho Olivo Vineyards, $35.
• South Coast: Callaway Vineyard & Winery, 2005 Opera d' Arte, $28.
COLORADO
• Grand Valley: Balistreri Vineyards, 2006 Cabernet Franc, Whitewater Hill Vineyard, $28.
ILLINOIS
• Lynfred Winery, 2007 Seyval Blanc, $18.
MICHIGAN
• Lake Michigan Shore: St. Julian, NV Seyval Vidal Blue Heron, $7.99; Tabor Hill Winery, NV Grand Mark, $28.95.
MISSOURI
• Crown Valley Winery, 2004 Fine Old Chandonel, Crown Estate, $16; Stone Hill Winery, 2007 Vignoles, $15.99.
• American: Crown Valley Winery, 2005 Meritage, Mc, $30; St. James Winery, NV Sparkling Blush, $7.99; St. James Winery, NV Friendship School White, $7.99; St. James Winery, NV Velvet Red, $6.99.
• Hermann: Stone Hill Winery, 2005 Cross J Norton, Estate Bottled, $24.99.
NEBRASKA
• Mac's Creek Vineyards, 2007 Edelweiss, $13.
NEW YORK
• Oak Summit Vineyard, 2005 Pinot Noir, Estate Bottled, $49.
• Finger Lakes: Heron Hill, 2005 Riesling, Ingle Vineyard, $17.99; Hunt Country Vineyards, 2006 Vidal Blanc Ice Wine, Estate Bottled, $39.99.
• North Fork of Long Island: Lieb Family Cellars, 2006 Pinot Blanc, $19.
OHIO
• Grand River Valley: Chalet Debonne Vineyards, 2006 Riesling, Reserve, $11.99; Ferrante Winery, 2006 Riesling, Dry Siganture Series, $15; Ferrante Winery, 2006 Vidal Blanc, $10.
OREGON
• Rogue Valley: Volcano Vineyards, 2005 Syrah, Lakeside Vineyard, $32.
• Willamette Valley: Oak Knoll Winery, 2006 Pinot Gris, $14; Willamette Valley Vineyards, 2006 Pinot Noir, $25; Willamette Valley Vineyards, 2006 Pinot Noir, Estate Vineyard, $40; Winter's Hill Vineyard, 2005 Pinot Noir, $29.
SOUTH DAKOTA
• Prairie Berry Winery, 2007 Frontenac Gris, Lewis and Clark, $15.
VIRGINIA
• Gray Ghost Vineyards, 2007 Late Harvest Vidal Blanc, Adieu, $20.
• Broad Run: Pearmund Cellars, 2005 Viognier, $16.
WASHINGTON
• Columbia Valley: Basel Cellars, 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate, $36; Chateau Ste. Michelle, 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Indian Wells Vineyard, $18; Chateau Ste. Michelle, 2006 Chardonnay Canoe Ridge Estate, $24; Chateau Ste. Michelle, 2006 Riesling, Indian Wells Vineyard, $18; Coeur D'Alene Cellars, 2006 Viognier, $18; E.B. Foote Winery, 2006 Zinfandel, Wahluke Slope, $24; Gamache Vintners, 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate, Gamache Vineyards, $28; Jones of Washington, 2005 Merlot, Jones Vineyards, $18; Kiona, 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, $34.99; LaVelle Vineyards, 2006 Chardonnay, Wahluke Slope, $16; Mary Hill Winery, 2005 Cabernet Franc, Classic, $20; Mary Hill Winery, 2005 Grenache, Proprietor's Reserve, $26; Robert Karl Cellars, 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, $30; Saint Laurent Estate Winery, 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Mrachek Vineyards, $28; Tsillan Cellars Winery & Vineyard, 2006 Riesling, Estate, $20.
• Walla Walla Valley: Cougar Crest Estate, 2006 Viognier, $20.
Go here for a look at the silver and bronze medalists in all categories.
To Dowd's Spirits Notebook latest entry.
To Dowd's Wine Notebook latest entry.
To Dowd's Brews Notebook latest entry.
To Dowd's Non-Alcohol Drinks Notebook latest entry.
To Dowd's Tasting Notes latest entry.
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2 comments:
That sounds like a really really tough competition.
Max:
It is.
Paying attention to terroir is more than a fad, and when one groups wines by such a description, discerning judges know a lot more about what to expect from wines that have to live up to the reputation and track record of specific geographic areas.
I do a number of wine judgings (not to mention spirits judgings) around the country, and I know we judges often have mini-debates about whether an entry is from a specific terroir and whether it upholds that region’s traditions. However, we’re never completely sure since terroir isn’t specifically mentioned except in competitions such as this.
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