Dr. Frank romps in International Eastern test››

WATKINS GLEN, NY -- Dr. Konstantin Frank took four major medals, best among all wineries, in the annual International Eastern Wine Competition just completed here.

The Finger Lakes winemaker's 2008 Riesling Bunch Select Late Harvest took top honors in four categories --- Best of Varietal and Best Dessert Wine, plus Best Sweet Riesling and the overall Riesling Championship, the latter two in a subsidiary Riesling competition.

As seems to be a growing trend in domestic wine competitions, nearly three-quarters of the entries won some sort of award, with 1,144 medals (44 Double Gold, 151 Gold, 399 Silver and 558 Bronze) awarded to a field of 1,600 entries submitted by wineries in 37 American states and three Canadian provinces (British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec) as well as Argentina, Australia, Chile, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, South Africa and Spain.

The event, held each May in the Finger Lakes, is a production of Vineyard & Winery Management Magazine.

Sweepstakes winners, by category:

BEST OF VARIETAL

• Bogle, 2008 Chardonnay, California (State Appellation), $9

• Ferrante Winery, 2008 Gewurztraminer, Grand River Valley (AVA), $15

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

• Oliver Winery, 2009 Pinot Grigio, America (Lodi and Columbia Gorge AVAs) $12.50

• Domaine Laurier Winery, 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County (County Appellation), Reserve, $9.99

• Trecini Winery, 2007 Merlot, Russian River Valley (AVA), $28

• Cross Keys Vineyards, 2008 Cabernet Franc, Shenandoah Valley (AVA), $21

• Napa Ridge Winery, 2007 Petite Sirah, Napa Valley (AVA), $12.99

• Jeff Runquist Wines, 2008 Primitivo, Amador County (County Appellation), Nostro Vino Vineyard, $26

• Balistreri Vineyards, 2008 Sangiovese, Grand Valley (AVA), Talbott Vineyard, $22

• Lost Bars, 2007 Icewine, Okanagan Valley (DVA), VQA, $38

BEST OF CATEGORIES

• Best White Wine: Chateau Ste. Michelle and Dr. Loosen, 2008 Eroica Riesling, Columbia Valley (AVA), $24

• Best Red Wine: Napa Ridge Winery, 2007 Petite Sirah, Napa Valley (AVA), $12.99

• Best Dessert Wine: Dr. Konstantin Frank, 2008 Riesling, Finger Lakes (AVA), Bunch Select Late Harvest, $69.99

• Best Fruit Wine: Ackerman Winery, 2009 Raspberry, Iowa (State Appellation), $9.95

RIESLING CHAMPIONSHIP

• Riesling Champion: Dr. Konstantin Frank, 2008 Riesling, Finger Lakes (AVA), Bunch Select Late Harvest, $69.99

• Beat of Class: Eagle Crest Vineyards, 2009 Riesling Dry, Finger Lakes (AVA), $12.99

• Best Semi-Dry Riesling: Chateau Ste. Michelle and Dr. Loosen, 2008 Eroica Riesling, Columbia Valley (AVA), $24.00

• Best Semi-Sweet Riesling: Chateau LaFayette Reneau, 2009 Riesling Semi-Dry, Finger Lakes (AVA), Estate, $14.99

• Best Sweet Riesling: Dr. Konstantin Frank, 2008 Riesling, Finger Lakes (AVA), Bunch Select Late Harvest, $69.99

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