Shawangunk Wine Trail wineries take home Finger Lakes International awards

HUDSON VALLEY — Several Shawangunk Wine Trail member wineries took home awards at the 2013 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition, which took place March 23 and 24 at the Rochester Plaza Hotel in Rochester.

Shawangunk Wine Trail member wineries took home a combined total of 23 medals: two double gold, four gold, seven silver and 10 bronze. The wineries competed against winemakers from 20 countries and all 50 states and entered against more than 3,500 wines. The wines were reviewed by 70 judges from 14 different countries.

Notably, Baldwin Vineyards in Pine Bush won a double gold medal for its Strawberry Wine and gold medals for both its Raspberry and Trilogy Wine, along with a bronze for its Anthony’s Vintage. Benmarl Winery in Marlboro took gold for its Proprietor’s Reserve and also won four silver medals for its wines, while Brotherhood, America’s Oldest Winery in Washingtonville, won bronze medals for its 2011 Dry Reisling and 2011 Pinot Noir. Stoutridge Vineyard in Marlboro took a silver medal for its 2008 Hudson Heritage White along with two other bronze medals, and Whitecliff Vineyard & Winery in Gardiner won a gold medal for its 2010 Petit Verdot along with two bronze medals. Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery in Warwick took home a double gold for its Grappa (American Fruits), two silver medals for its Bartlett Pear Liquor and Doc’s Hard Apple Cider and three bronze medals.

The Finger Lakes International Wine Competition is the world’s largest charitable wine competition, with all proceeds benefiting Camp Good Days and Special Times, an organization that supports families dealing with cancer. Judges of the competition include sommeliers, educators, enologists, winemakers, writers, importers retailers and industry consultants. Each wine is judged through a blind tasting.

Shawangunk Wine Trail, located in the Hudson Valley, is composed of 13 wineries, each following the tradition of fine winemaking established by the early French Huguenot Settlers who brought their winemaking expertise to the area over 300 years ago. The wineries along the Shawangunk Wine Trail range from large to small and feature a variety of award-winning red and white wines, from sparkling and fruit wines to sweet and bone dry blends. Learn more at www.shawangunkwinetrail.com.