For more than three decades, the Missouri Wine Competition has recognized the highest quality wines the Show Me State has to offer. More than 235 wines representing all regions of Missouri wine country were entered into this esteemed evaluation.
A panel of seven expert judges spent two days blind tasting and evaluating the wines entered. Those that receives a gold medal distinction went head-to-head for the honor of a Best of Class award in their respective category. The top wines then competed for the ultimate recognition, the coveted Governor's Cup award. The Governor's Cup is presented to the best wine in the state. Judges awarded 48 gold, 102 silver and 70 bronze medals.
This year's Best of Class Winners included the following:
Sparkling: Stone Hill Winery -- Brut Rose
Dry White: Noboleis Vineyards -- 2021 Dry Vignoles
Semi-Dry White: Augusta Winery -- 2021 Vidal Blanc Estate Bottled
Sweet White: Augusta Winery -- 2021 Vignoles
Dry Red: Stone Hill Winery -- 2020 Chambourcin
Semi-Dry Red: Adam Puchta Winery -- Hunter's Red
Sweet Red: St. James Winery -- Velvet Red
Dry Rose: Noboleis Vineyards -- 2021 Dry Rose
Sweet Rose: Augusta Vineyards -- River Valley Blush
Fruit: Adam Puchta Winery -- Berry Black
Dessert: Adam Puchta Winery -- Signature Port
Late Harvest/Ice Wine: Augusta Winery -- 2021 Icewine
The winner of the 2022 Governor's Cup is Stone Hill Winery's 2020 Chambourcin, a dry red wine that thoroughly impressed the judging panel. The C.V. Riley Award for best Norton went to two wineries for their 2020 Norton wines -- Stone Hill Winery and Les Bourgeois Vineyards on The Blufftop at Rocheport. The C.V. Riley award is a special recognition that honors the official state grape and bears the name of the first state entomologist, who is credited with helping save the French wine industry.
The label competition accompanied traditional judging for the second year. This portion of the competition recognizes wineries who have stand-out labels, design elements and overall bottle appearance. Congratulations to the label competition award winners:
Traditional Label: Les Bourgeois Vineyards -- Rocheport Reserve Aged 20 years
Contemporary Label: Eagles' Landing -- Rosalia Chambourcin Pet-Nat 2021
Alternative Packaging: Noboleis Vineyards -- Cranberry Lemon Rosemary Swirl Sangria
Best Wine Series: Noboleis Vineyards -- Swirl Botanicals & Sangria (Apricot Thyme Botanicals, Cranberry Lemon Rosemary Botanicals, Elderberry & Black Cherry Sangria, Raspberry & Papaya Sangria, Citrus & Peach Sangria)
People's Choice Award: Dale Hollow Winery - Holloween
Find the complete list of the 2022 award-winning wines at https://bit.ly/3oxnSws. Explore these wonderful winning wines next time you visit Missouri wine country.
Categories: Missouri, Rural Lifestyle