A panel of wine retailers, writers, collectors, restaurateurs and other industry professionals sampled and critiqued Virginia wines from across the commonwealth that were submitted for the 23rd State Fair of Virginia Commercial Wine Competition.
The judging was held June 27 at The Meadow Event Park in Caroline County. The competition drew nearly 100 entries from more than 20 Virginia wineries, cideries and meaderies.
The State Fair wine competition promotes and showcases a vibrant and important element of Virginia agriculture and benefits the State Fair’s scholarship program, which offers $70,000 in annual scholarships. The program rewards young competitors for their achievements in various 4-H, FFA and vocational competitions, as well as in specific equine, fine arts and horticulture competitions.
Wines were judged according to national industry standards. Judges awarded gold and silver medals and label awards. The Best in Show wines will be announced Sept. 22 at the fair’s benefit gala, Black Tie & Boots.
Virginia is ranked fifth nationwide for wine grape production and is home to more than 250 wineries. According to a 2012 economic impact study, the Virginia wine industry employs more than 4,700 workers and contributes almost $750 million to the state’s economy.
The 2016 ribbon winners are:
Traditional
Gold Medal
Barboursville Vineyards – Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2013
Barboursville Vineyards – Fiano Reserve 2015
Barboursville Vineyards – Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2014
Blacksnake Meadery – Meloluna
Casanel Vineyards – Carménère 2014
Casanel Vineyards – Petit Verdot 2013
Chateau MerrillAnne LLC – Governor Spotswood 2014
Democracy Vineyards – Magna Carta 2014
Effingham Manor Winery – King’s Ransom 2014
Effingham Manor Winery – Meritage 2014
Generals Ridge Vineyard – Petit Manseng 2015
James River Cellars – Gewurztraminer 2015
James River Cellars – Petit Manseng 2015
Pearmund Cellars – Cabernet Franc 2013
Pearmund Cellars – Cabernet Franc Reserve 2013
Pearmund Cellars – Petit Verdot 2013
Thistle Gate Vineyard – Petit Verdot 2015
The Winery at Bull Run – Merlot 2014
Silver Medal
Barboursville Vineyards – Merlot Reserve 2013
Barboursville Vineyards – Vermentino Reserve 2015
Blue Valley – Rosé Estate 2015
Castle Hill Cider – Serendipity 2014
Chateau MerrillAnne LLC – Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Chateau MerrillAnne LLC – Viognier 2015
Effingham Manor Winery – Traminette 2015
The Hague Winery Inc. – Chardonel 2015
Ingleside Plantation Vineyards – Left Bank 2013
Ingleside Plantation Vineyards – Right Bank 2013
James River Cellars – Vidal Blanc 2015
Pearmund Cellars – Ameritage 2013
Pearmund Cellars – Ameritage Reserve 2013
Pearmund Cellars – Old Vine Chardonnay 2013
Reynard Florence Vineyard – Petit Verdot 2014
Thistle Gate Vineyard – Merlot 2015
Best Rosé
Blue Valley – Rosé Estate 2015
Castle Hill Cider – Serendipity 2014
Blacksnake Meadery – Meloluna
The 2016 State Fair of Virginia will run from Sept. 23 through Oct. 2. Information is available at StateFairVa.org.
The State Fair is held each fall at its permanent home at The Meadow Event Park in Caroline County. The fair’s mission is to increase agricultural and natural resource awareness and interest through educational programs, exhibitions and competitions in a fun, family-friendly setting.
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