07/20/08
WINE TAKES HOME THE MEDAL AT THE THIRD ANNUAL NORTHEAST GOLD WINE COMPETITION
Jones Winery Raspberry Rhapsody was the judge's choice for Best of Show, Best of Connecticut and Best Fruit wine in the Third Annual Big E Northeast Gold Wine Competition. Recognized as the Best Grape and Best of Rhode Island wine was Sakonnet Vineyards' Vidal Blanc. Wines from all of New England and New York were represented at the competition which took place May 31.
Raspberry Rhapsody is classified as a sweet wine which has a retail value of $15.95 per bottle. The Jones family describes their prize winning wine as, "Subtly sweet and bursting with raspberry flavor, this wine is created entirely from sun-ripened red raspberries. This wine is best enjoyed as an aperitif or an after dinner drink." Their motto, "Be good to the land and the land will be good to you," has certainty helped this family to obtain a successful farm over the last 150 years. Jones Winery is located in Shelton, Conn. and information is available at www.jonesfamilyfarms.com.
From Little Compton, Rhode Island, Sakonnet Vineyards produces their wine on 50 beautiful acres where they know exactly how to produce the perfect grape for delicious wine. Just the right wine to pair with any Seafood or Poultry, Sakonnet Vineyards' Vidal Blanc has a fruity up-front nose with a very dry finish. This wine is known as Sakonnet Vineyards' Signature Wine, read more about their wine and their vineyard online at www.sakonnetwine.com.
Judging took place Sunday, June 1, and entries included more than 300 wines from 56 vineyards. Judges took in the aroma, savored the taste and applied a score for each individual wine. Bronze, Silver, and Gold medals awarded from red and white wine to featured dessert wines. The judging was based on a 20 point UCAL-Davis scoring system, where a minimum of three qualified judges must evaluate each wine.
There were four other delicious wines honored as the best in their state: Torrey Ridge Winery's Summer Delight was Best of New York; Putney Mountain Vineyard had the Best of Vermont with their Rhubarb Blush; Best of Massachusetts went to Charlton Orchards' Strawberry Rhubarb Wine; and Labelle Winery was honored with the Best of New Hampshire for their Red Raspberry Wine.
A complete list of results from the third annual Big E Northeast Gold Wine Competition is available online at Eastern States Exposition's website, www.TheBigE.com/wine. All medal winners will be showcased and on display in the Harvest New England Kitchen Theater during The Big E in West Springfield, Mass., Sept. 12-28.