AN ULTIMATE CHALLENGE . . . PART III
The first annual Ultimate Wine Challenge was recently held at the Astor Center in New York City. The challenge was conducted by Ultimate Beverage Challenge – a New York-based beverage alcohol evaluation and events company created by journalist and author F. Paul Pacult, David Talbot and Sue Woodley. A panel of expert judges, led by Judging Chairman F. Paul Pacult and Assistant Judging Chairman Sean Ludford, assessed nearly 5OO wines representing 15 countries and 43 appellations. In order to promote a completely level playing field, the judging panels did not know the identity of the entered still, sparkling dessert, aromatized, fortified wines, or sake. Wines were judged on the 1OO-point rating system in multiple stages to arrive at the top wine per category. All wines were judged in flights according to price, grape type and region. The best wine in 23 distinct wine categories was awarded the Chairman’s Trophy. For a complete list of winners and scoring results: ultimate-beverage.com/UWC2O1O-results/.
2O1O ULTIMATE WINE CHALLENGE CHAIRMAN’S TROPHY WINNERS
CHAMPAGNE Piper-Heidsieck Rare 1999, $275
SPARKLING WINE Domaine Carneros Cuvee la Pompadour Rosé NV, $36
CHARDONNAY Carpe Diem Cellars Chardonnay Firepeak Vineyard 2OO7, $24
PINOT GRIGIO Mezzacorona Pinot Grigio 2OO9, $9.99
SAUVIGNON BLANC Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc Regional Collection 2OO9, $14
RIESLING Hogue Cellars Genesis Riesling 2OO8, $15.99
VIOGNIER d’Arenberg The Last Ditch 2OO8, $25
WHITE-INTERNATIONAL Peter Lehmann Layers 2OO9, $15.99
WHITE-ITALIAN Fontana Candida Frascati NV, $1O
CABERNET SAUVIGNON Simi Cabernet Sauvignon 2OO6, $24
PINOT NOIR Clos du Bois Pinot Noir 2OO7, $24
MERLOT Shafer Vineyards Merlot 2OO7, $48
SHIRAZ Peter Lehmann Eight Songs Shiraz 2OO4, $38
ZINFANDEL Ravenswood Napa Valley Zinfandel 2OO7, $18
RED-INTERNATIONAL Marques de Caceres Reserva 2OO4, $25
BEST RED-ITALIAN Sartori Regolo 2OO5, $21
RED-ASSORTED U.S. Pietra Santa Sangiovese 2OO6, $18
RED BLEND Chateau Julien La Conviviance 2OO6, $9O
DESSERT WINE St. Nicholas Commandaria 2OOO, $18.99
VERMOUTH/AROMATIZED WINE Martini & Rossi Rosso, $7.99
PORT Croft 1O Year Old Tawny NV, $32
SHERRY Gonzalez Byass Apostoles Very Old Rare Sherry Palo Cortado NV, $44.49
SAKE Shimizu-No-Mai Pure Dusk NV, $42
This fall, Ultimate Beverage Challenge will host two consumer events in New York City: Ultimate Wine Affair on October 4 and Ultimate Cocktail & Spirits Blast on October 15. For brand participation information and rates, go to ultimate-beverage.com/events2O1O/.
