Drinking Merry with the Los Angeles International Wine and Spirits Competition

I recently attended the announcement for the winning wine from the 71st Los Angeles International Wine and Spirits Competition. The competition was judged in May by 75 of the leading wine experts. With nearly 3,200 wines entered this meant that 10,800 wine glasses and 240 champagne flutes were utilized with each judge imbibing approximately 100 wines per day. Along with the wines 506 Olive Oils, 214 Spirits, and 400 Beers were also tasted.



“This competition a great way to keep abreast about what’s going on in the market place,” noted Michael Jordon, one of the four Master Sommeliers on the judging panel. “It’s a perfect outlet for people who don’t want to just rely one magazine’s scoring system.”



Highlighted Winners included:

• Best of Show Red ($14.99 and Under) Villa San Juliette, Petite Sirah, Paso Robles, 2008 (The inaugural vintage for the winery, the hit the mark the first time they tried)

• Best of Show Red ($15-29.99) Armida Winery, Zinfandel, Poizin, Sonoma County, 2008

• Best of Show White ($14.99 and Under) Ganton and Larsen Prospect Winery, Pinot Blanc, Birch Canoe, Okanagan Valley VQA, 2008 (This white is an amazing taste for its price point)

• Best of Show White ($15-29.99) James Arthur Vineyards, Edelweiss, Nebraska, 2009 (A sweet wine with edelweiss flavorings. If you have more than one glass you can add your own requisite Sound of Music joke)

• Best Organic Wine Bonterra Vineyards, Merlot, Mendocino County, 2007

• Best Sparkling Wine Mumm Napa, Brut Rosé, Napa Valley

• Best Sparkling Wine, Limited Production Terre Di San Venanzio Fortunato, Prosecco, Extra Dry, Valdobbiadene DOCG, 2009 (Absolutley perfect for a summer evening)

All the wines will be available for tasting at the L.A. County Fair, Sept 4th - Oct 3rd. For the full list of winners go to lawinecomp.com