In the recent Six Nations Wine Challenge, two Finger Lakes wineries--Anthony Road Wine Company and Keuka Spring Vineyards--won major accolades. With their 2014 Dry Riesling, Anthony Road Winery was awarded "White Wine of Show" and Best Riesling trophy. Keuka Spring Vineyards' 2014 Gewurztraminer won a Best of Class trophy for "Aromatic non-Riesling" wine.
The competition is held in Australia, and features wines selected from six countries: Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Chile, Canada, and the United States. Judges are renown wine writers and critics from each country. Each judge may select up to 100 wines to represent the best of 15 different classes. Submissions to the competition are by individual invitation only, and wineries may only submit one wine. Out of 600 international wines entered, only three "Wine of Show" and fifteen Best in Class trophies are awarded.
"That the Finger Lakes won both of these categories speaks volumes. We are a tiny region. Yet when given the opportunity we can compete with anyone on a global stage when it comes to producing some of the best white wines anywhere," said August Deimel, winemaker at Keuka Spring Vineyards. "FLX [is] showing it can stand up to the best in at least six nations," added Peter Becraft, winemaker at Anthony Road Wine Company.
The wineries' awards were accepted by the U.S. Embassy Office of Agricultural Affairs Manager Linda Cruthers at the trophy dinner held on October 5 in Sydney. The wines were paired with Australian scallops with cauliflower espuma & crispy pancetta and poured the following day to 200 trade and consumers. More information about the awards and the competition can be found at sixnationswine.com.au/results.
Anthony Road Wine Company produces a wide range of wines with estate and Finger Lakes grown fruit with a philosophy of respecting the quality and character of the fruit and letting that lead the winemaking. With this philosophy, the wines have been well received and recognized within the state, 2009 Governor’s Cup winner, and around the world, gold medal at the Riesling du Monde, Strasbourg. Currently wines are distributed in over 8 states, in Europe and Japan. Tasting room is open year round at 1020 Anthony Road, Penn Yan for tastings and sales. To learn more about Anthony Road please visit their website www.anthonyroadwine.com, or call the winery at 315-536-2182.
Recently awarded Winery of the Year, Keuka Spring Vineyards is also a two-time winner of both the Governor’s Cup for best New York State wine and Best White Wine in America. They have been producing premium wines since 1985. Owners Len and Judy Wiltberger warmly invite you to their tasting room overlooking the east side of Keuka Lake at 243 Route 54, East Lake Road, Penn Yan. For more information or to order their wines, please visit KeukaSpringWinery.com, or contact the winery at 315-536-3147.
