Eastern Wine Competition westernized

HEALDSBURG, CA -- The annual International Eastern Wine Competition this year was held in the West. Go figure.

The competition, sponsored by Vineyard & Winery Management Magazine, this year was conducted at Villa Chanticleer, a farming complex in California's Russian River Valley that is part of the Santa Rosa Junior College, which trains many of California's wine industry professionals.

The site change, according to Jim Trezise, president of the New York Wine &  Grape Foundation and one of the judges, came about because "The New York wholesaler who received the competition wines all these years was unable to do so, for whatever reason, so this year alone a change in venue was required, and next year it will move back east."

OK, that's out of the way. Now, on to the Sweepstakes awards. (You can go here for the full rundown of all medalists.)

Best of Varietal

• Bogle, 2008 Chardonnay, California, $9
• Ferrante Winery, 2008 Gewurztraminer, Grand River Valley, $15
• Dr. Konstantin Frank, 2008 Riesling, Finger Lakes, Bunch Select Late Harvest, $69.99
• Oliver Winery, 2009 Pinot Grigio, $12.50
• Domaine Laurier Winery, 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County, Reserve, $9.99
• Trecini Winery, 2007 Merlot, Russian River Valley, $28
• Cross Keys Vineyards, 2008 Cabernet Franc, Shenandoah Valley, VA, $21
• Napa Ridge Winery, 2007 Petite Sirah, Napa Valley, $12.99
• Jeff Runquist Wines, 2008 Primitivo, Amador County, Nostr Vino Vineyard, $26
• Balistreri Vineyards, 2008 Sangiovese, Grand Valley, Talbott Vineyard, $22
• Lost Bars, 2007 Icewine, Okanagan Valley, VQA, $38

Riesling Best of Class

• Eagle Crest Vineyards, 2009 Riesling Dry, Finger Lakes, $12.99
• Chateau Ste. Michelle and Dr. Loosen, 2008 Eroica Riesling, Columbia Valley, $24
• Chateau LaFayette Reneau, 2009 Riesling Semi-Dry, Finger Lakes, Estate, $14.99

Riesling Champion

• Dr. Konstantin Frank, 2008 Riesling, Finger Lakes, Bunch Select Late Harvest, $69.99

Best of Category Award

Best White Wine:

• Chateau Ste Michelle and Dr. Loosen, 08 Eroica Riesling, Columbia Valley, $24

Best Red Wine

• Napa Ridge Winery, 2007 Petite Sirah, Napa Valley, $12.99

Best Dessert Wine

• Dr. Konstantin Frank, 2008 Riesling, Finger Lakes, Bunch Select Late Harvest, $69.99

Best Fruit Wine

• Ackerman Winery, 2009 Raspberry, Iowa, $9.95

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