Two of Casa Larga's ice wines recently received awards in an overwhelming triumph from the Ultimate Beverage Challenge and the New York State Fair. The winery proudly uses the traditional German method of producing ice wines, allowing the grapes to freeze on the vine. The result of their efforts is a line of 6 ice wines that are the most highly awarded in the country.
The Ultimate Beverage Challenge awarded the coveted Chairman's Trophy to Casa Larga's 2010 Fiori Vidal Blanc ($39.99), along with 95 points and rating of 'extraordinary.' The ice wine has honey and peach aromas, with a bright, smooth sweetness, and flavors of pineapple, apricot, and butterscotch. It is rich and medium bodied, with a lingering finish.
At the 2015 New York State Fair, Fiori Negative 8 ($59.99) was deemed Best of Class in the Dessert Fortified category. The ice wine was also awarded 93 points and a gold medal by The Beverage Tasting Institute, an 'exceptional' rating. The wine began as two individual batches of ice wine that were later combined to make the new ice wine. A Gewurztraminer/Riesling field blend makes up 40% of the wine, while the other 60% is a Vidal ice wine fortified with Tree Vodka from Apple Country Spirits.
These and other award-winning wines are available for purchase at the Casa Larga wine shop, online at www.CasaLarga.com and at select Rochester liquor stores. Casa Larga's full line of ice wines includes Fiori Riesling, Fiori Cabernet Franc, Fiori Vidal Blanc, Fiori Gewurztraminer, Fiori Negative 8 and Fiori Ice Wine Cuvee.
