The
Results of the Inaugural Ultimate Wine Challenge are Released
June 22, 2010 (New York, NY) - The results
of the first Ultimate Wine Challenge SM are
in! Held at Astor Center in New York City on June 7-11, a select
group of the industry's best judges evaluated nearly 500 wines
using the best methods under the most ideal conditions. The
best wine in 23 distinct wine categories was awarded the coveted
Chairman's Trophy.
The 2010 Ultimate Wine Challenge Chairman's Trophy winners are:
§ Champagne: Piper-Heidsieck Rare 1999, $275.00
§ Sparkling Wine: Domaine Carneros Cuvee la Pompadour Rose
NV, $36.00
§ Chardonnay: Carpe Diem Cellars Chardonnay Firepeak Vineyard
2007, $24.00
§ Pinot Grigio: Mezzacorona Pinot Grigio 2009, $9.99
§ Sauvignon Blanc: Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc Regional Collection
2009, $14.00
§ Riesling: Hogue Cellars Genesis Riesling 2008, $15.99
§ Viognier: d'Arenberg The Last Ditch 2008, $25.00
§ White - International: Peter Lehmann Layers 2009, $15.99
§ White - Italian: Fontana Candida Frascati NV, $10.00
§ Cabernet Sauvignon: Simi Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, $24.00
§ Pinot Noir: Clos du Bois Pinot Noir 2007, $24.00
§ Merlot: Shafer Vineyards Merlot 2007, $48.00
§ Shiraz: Peter Lehmann Eight Songs Shiraz 2004, $38.00
§ Zinfandel: Ravenswood Napa Valley Zinfandel 2007, $18.00
§ Red - International: Marques de Caceres Reserva 2004,
$25.00
§ Best Red - Italian: Sartori Regolo 2005, $21.00
§ Red - Assorted US: Pietra Santa Sangiovese 2006, $18.00
§ Red Blend: Chateau Julien La Conviviance 2006, $90.00
§ Dessert Wine: St. Nicholas Commandaria 2000, $18.99
§ Vermouth/Aromatized Wine: Martini & Rossi Rosso,
$7.99
§ Port: Croft 10 Year Old Tawny NV, $32.00
§ Sherry: Gonzalez Byass Apostoles Very Old Rare Sherry
Palo Cortado NV, $44.49
§ Sake: Shimizu-No-Mai Pure Dusk NV, $42.00
For a complete list of Ultimate Wine Challenge winners and scoring
results, go to www.ultimate-beverage.com/UWC2010-results/
Conducted by Ultimate Beverage ChallengeSM, a New York-based
beverage alcohol evaluation and events company created by award-winning
journalist/author F. Paul Pacult, David Talbot and Sue Woodley,
Ultimate Wine Challenge sets a new direction and standard in
how wines should be evaluated.
Panels of industry's best judges led by Judging Chairman F.
Paul Pacult and Assistant Judging Chairman Sean Ludford: Jennifer
Simonetti-Bryan MW, Mary Ewing-Mulligan MW, Laura Maniec MS,
Steve Olson, Nick Passmore, Ed McCarthy, David Lusby, James
Conley, John McClement, Michael Apstein, Patricia Savoie and
Mary Gorman carefully assessed nearly 500 wines representing
15 countries and 43 appellations. The judging panels did not
know the identity of the entered still, sparkling dessert, aromatized,
fortified wines and sake in order to promote a completely level
playing field. Wines were judged on the 100-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.
Said Pacult of the first Ultimate Wine Challenge, "With
UBC's emphasis on integrity, method and credibility, coupled
with the enormous experience of our world-class judges, we've
created an innovative, exciting and authentic way for wines
to be assessed and then presented to consumers."
Said Sue Woodley, "UBC ensures that all conditions are
ideal for thoughtful, deliberate wine evaluation by highly qualified
experts. This includes serving the wine in the most appropriate
glassware and at the right temperature in the perfect environment
of North America's premier facility, Astor Center."
Said David Talbot, "The results from Ultimate Wine Challenge
are a marketer's dream come true. Being cited as the best Cabernet
Sauvignon or the best Port or Champagne by the most authoritative
judging panels in the world is promotional fodder of the highest
variety."
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 www.ultimate-beverage.com/events2010/
ABOUT ULTIMATE BEVERAGE CHALLENGESM (www.ultimate-beverage.com)
Ultimate Beverage Challenge (UBC) provides the industry and
consumers with clear and unassailable evaluations of beverage
alcohol quality. The inaugural 2010 Challenges took place at
Astor Center, NYC and included: Ultimate Spirits Challenge,
Ultimate Cocktail Challenge and Ultimate Wine Challenge. UBC
sponsors include: Saratoga Spring Water, Dare All Natural Crackers,
Arc International Chef & Sommelier Glassware and Fever Tree
All Natural Premium Mixers.
Ultimate Beverage Challenge: The future of beverage competitions
today.
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Ultimate Wine
Challenge judges. Photo credit: Megan E. FitzPatrick |
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Ultimate
Beverage Challenge founder and Judging Chairman F. Paul
Pacult. Photo credit: Megan E. FitzPatrick |
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Ultimate
Beverage Challenge founder and Judging Chairman F. Paul
Pacult speaking with Ultimate Wine Challenge judge Mary
Ewing-Mulligan MW. Photo credit: Megan E. FitzPatrick |
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More
than 500 wines were entered in the inaugural Ultimate
Wine Challenge. Photo credit: Megan E. FitzPatrick |