Ultimate Wine Challenge 2015 Announces Results

41 Wines are Awarded the UWC Chairman’s Trophy, the Highest Accolade.

Ultimate Beverage Challenge™ (UBC) announces the results of the sixth Ultimate Wine Challenge (UWC), held at UBC’s dedicated evaluation center in Westchester County, New York. Led by UBC Founder and Judging Chairman F. Paul Pacult, thirteen of the world’s foremost wine authorities evaluated more than 1,130 still and fortified wines, ciders, and sakes from around the world, a 37% jump from 2014.

This remarkable group of judges scored wines using UWC’s innovative multi-round judging system and the consumer-friendly 100-point rating scale. In addition to F. Paul Pacult, UWC’s judges included: Christy Canterbury, Master of Wine and journalist; James Conley, buyer and sommelier; Tim Gagnon, buyer; Gregg Glaser, writer and consultant; Jason Hedges, buyer and sommelier; Chris Johnson, sake sommelier and educator; John McClement, buyer; Tess Rose Lampert, educator; Patricia Savoie, writer; Rick Schofield, CWE and consultant; Francis Schott, restaurateur and buyer and Tara Q. Thomas, writer and editor.

Forty one wines are awarded the highest honor of the Chairman’s Trophy. Other accolades include Finalist, Great Value (awarded where there is a favorable score-to-price ratio and shows that great tasting wines don’t always have to be expensive), and the Tried & True Award^TM,  bestowed on brands that have demonstrated unfailing quality and superb taste year after year. Tasting notes are provided for all wines scored 85 points and higher.

In accordance with strict UWC methodology, all wines were judged in appropriate fine crystal glassware at the proper temperature and were grouped in small flights of 3 to 8 wines, according to grape type, region, and price. The judging panels did not know the identity of any of the entered sparkling, still, fortified wines, ciders or sakes, in order to ensure unbiased evaluations and a level playing field.

Said Pacult of UWC 2015, “The dramatic, double-digit increase in participation again this year from wine producers making wine on five continents serves as a clear affirmation of Ultimate Beverage Challenge’s commitment to impartial methodology, verifiable authority, and uncompromising integrity. In short, everything we do, every system we’ve created, is geared to showcase each wine’s virtues in the fairest light possible.”

Top scoring wines will be published in the Ultimate Beverage Challenge 2015 Guide to the World’s Best Wine & Spirits in the October 2015 issue of Beverage Media, which is referenced by over 65,000 beverage alcohol buyers in the United States.

The 2015 Ultimate Wine Challenge  Chairman’s Trophy Winners

Full results at Ultimate-Beverage.com/UWC2015Results

Red Wines:

• Akana Old Vines 2012 Rapel Valley, Chile (Red Blends – Southern Hemisphere)
• Columbia Composition Red Blend Columbia Valley, United States (Red Blends – North America)
• Domaine des Tourelles Marquis des Beys 2011 Bekaa Valley, Lebanon (Assorted Reds – Eastern Mediterranean)
• J. Lohr Carol’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Napa Valley, United States (Cabernet Sauvignon – World)
• Lorenzi Estate Lopez Ranch Zinfandel 2011 Temecula, United States (Zinfandel – USA)
• Louis Bernard 2012 Cotes du Rhone Villages, France (Assorted Reds – France)
• MontGras Estate Reserva Carmenere 2014 Colchagua Valley, Chile (Other Red Varietals – World)
• Murray Street Vineyards Black Label Shiraz 2012 Barossa Valley, Australia (Shiraz/Syrah – World)
• Quinta do Quetzal Reserva 2011 Vidigueira, Portugal (Assorted Reds – Portugal)
• Rodney Strong Merlot 2012 Sonoma County, United States (Merlot – World)
• SeaGlass Pinot Noir 2013 Santa Barbara County, United States (Pinot Noir – World)
• Vega Real Crianza 2009 Ribera del Duero, Spain (Assorted Reds – Spain)
• Vigneti Zabu Il Passo 2013 Sicily, Italy (Assorted Reds – Italy)
• VOGA Italia Dolce Rosso Sicily, Italy (Sweet Red Wines – World)
• Zuccardi Q La Consulta & Vista Flores Malbec 2012 Uco Valley, Argentina (Malbec – World)

White Wines:

• Barone Fini Pinot Grigio 2013 Valdadige, Italy (Assorted Whites – Italy)
• Dr. Konstantin Frank Pinot Gris 2013 Finger Lakes, United States (Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris – World)
• Dr. Konstantin Frank Semi-Dry Riesling 2013 Finger Lakes, United States (Riesling – World)
• Gaspereau Wineries Tidal Bay White 2014 Nova Scotia, Canada (White Blends – North America)
• Javier Sanz V Malcorta Verdejo Malcorta 2014 Rueda, Spain (Assorted Whites – Spain)
• Louis Baisinbert “La Pièce sous le Bois” Premier Cru Meursault 2011 Bourgogne, France (Assorted Whites – France)
• Mirassou Moscato 2013 California, United States (Muscat/Moscato/Moscatel – World)
• Quinta do Quetzal Antao Vaz 2012 Vidigueira, Portugal (Assorted Whites – Portugal)
• Rodney Strong Charlotte’s Home Sauvignon Blanc 2013 Northern Sonoma County, United States (Sauvignon Blanc – World)
• The Islander Estate Vineyards Wally White Semillon 2012 Kangaroo Island, Australia (Other White Varietals – World)
• Westerly Chardonnay 2013 Santa Barbara County, United States (Chardonnay – World)
• Yarden Chardonnay 2013 Golan Heights, Israel (Assorted Whites – Eastern Mediterranean)

Rosé Wines:

• Barton & Guestier La Villa Barton 2014 Cotes de Provence, France (Rosés – Europe)

Champagne/Sparkling Wines:

• Champagne Marion-Bosser Premier Cru Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne, France (Champagne – France)
• Domaine Carneros by Taittinger Le Reve 2008 Carneros, United States (Sparkling – USA)
• Poema Brut Rosado Cava, Spain (Cava – Spain)
• Tenuta Ca’Bolani Prosecco Cervignano del Friuli, Italy (Prosecco – Italy)

Fortified Wines:

• Barbadillo Obisco Gascon Palo Cortado Jerez-Xeres-Sherry, Spain (Sherry – Spain)
• Dow’s Late Bottle Vintage Port 2009 Douro, Portugal (Porto – Portugal)
• Quady Starboard Batch 88 California, United States (Fortified – North America)
• Tempus Fugit Kina l’Aero d’Oro Aperitif Wine, Switzerland (Aperitif – World)

Dessert Wines:

• Casa Larga Fiori Delle Stelle Estate Grown Vidal Blanc Ice Wine 2010 Finger Lakes, United States (Ice Wine/Eiswein – World)
• Patricius Aszu 5 Puttonyos 2003 Tokaji, Hungary (Tokaji/Tokai – Hungary)

Ciders:

• Pacific Coast Cider Hard Apple Cider Washington/California, United States (Cider – North America)

Sakes:

• Bunraku Junmai Dai Ginjo Sake, Japan (Sake – World)

Miscellaneous Wines:

• Westport Winery Duckleberry Grunt Grape Wine with Natural Flavor Washington, United States (Miscellaneous Wines – World)