March 11, 2008
Florida Wines Shine During International Competition In Tampa
Florida wines performed impressively during the International Wine and Grape Juice Competition at the 104th Florida State Fair in Tampa in February. Thirteen Florida wineries, competing against entries from 34 states and 10 foreign countries, received 64 medals.
“More competitors entered this year’s wine competition than any other previous year,” Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles H. Bronson said. “We’re very pleased with the exceptional performance by Florida wineries during this prestigious international competition. Sixty-four of the Florida wineries’ 89 entries received medals.”
The three-day judging event, which took place February 7-9, featured 27 judges tasting approximately 1,600 commercial wines and 200 hobbyist wines. The judges were pooled from a variety of industries related to wine and its crafting including sommeliers, wine writers, wine wholesalers, wine retailers, wine educators, winemakers and restaurateurs.
Each wine was analyzed by blind judging, meaning that the judges did not see the bottle, as the wine was poured into a glass and marked with an identifying number. Judges scored the wines independently and then discussed and agreed on any medals awarded. Each wine entry was scored using a 20-point scale. Wines totaling 17 points or more receive a Gold medal; those between 13 and 16 points receive a Silver medal; wines which receive 10 to 12 points were given a Bronze medal. Multiple Gold medal recipients in each class of wine moved forward to a “Best of Show” judging. A summary of Florida winery medals follows:
-- Henscratch Farms Inc., of Lake Placid, received three Double-Gold medals, two Gold medals, two Bronze medals, and won Best of Show for White Wine.
-- Chautauqua Vineyards and Winery, of DeFuniak Springs, received four Silver medals.
-- Empire Winery and Distillery, of Newport Richey, received one Gold medal.
-- Florida Orange Groves Winery, of St. Petersburg, received three Gold medals and five Silver medals.
-- Keel and Curley Winery, of Plant City, received four Silver medals.
-- Lakeridge Winery and Vineyards, of Clermont, received five Silver medals and one Bronze medal.
-- Rosa Fiorelli Winery, Inc., of Bradenton, received two Bronze medals.
-- San Sebastian Winery, of St. Augustine, received one Double-Gold medals, six Silver medals and three Bronze medals.
-- SeaBreeze Winery, of Panama City Beach, received one Double-Gold medal and two Silver medals.
-- Strong Tower Vineyard and Winery, of Spring Hill, received one Double-Gold medal and one Gold medal.
-- Brewer Cellars, of Winter Springs, received five Bronze medals.
-- Tangled Oaks Vineyard, of Grandin, received one Gold medal.
-- Dr. ZenZen, of Clearwater, received one Silver medal and two Bronze medals.
-- The Winery, of Tallahassee, received two Bronze medals.
Florida wineries and vineyards are scattered throughout the state, with harvest times ranging from May to September. There are 16 Certified Florida Farm Wineries and Vineyards. For more information about Florida’s wineries and vineyards and a downloadable map with contact information, visit www.florida-agriculture.com/consumers/wineries.htm.
For more information:
Tom Thomas
(850) 922-9827
thomast@doacs.state.fl.us
