Monday, August 16, 2010
Mexican
Wines Scored High in International Competition
'Vino-Tourism'
by Steve Dryden
The 18th annual International Wine Competition "Ensenada,
Tierra del Vino," took place at the Hotel Coral and Marina, in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico on August 7th and 8th. This
was the largest wine competition ever held in this region, with over 225 wines from 11 countries.
Wines judged were from Mexico, the United States, France,
Spain, Italy, Bulgaria, Uruguay, Chile, Argentina, South Africa and Portugal.
The event hosted 24 international judges from five
countries, and was organized by the staff and students of UABC of Ensenada. The judges were provided with individual computers
to rate the wines, allowing the results to be calculated immediately. In comparison, many countries still tally results using
pencil and paper. Mexico is rapidly emerging with premium wines and modern technical communication abilities. This competition
is leading the way in setting standards for comprehensive and accurate wine judging results.
This event was one of the first events held in Baja
California's annual Fiestas de la Vendimia, that began August 6th and lasts for sixteen days. (See http://fiestasdelavendimia.com/ for a calendar of events.)
The 24 international judges were guided out to the
wine country to visit Monte Xanic and Bibayoff wineries. Varivision Cable TV of Ensenada sent crew members from "The Grapevine:
Mexican Wine and Food Adventures," to film the event, and to interview judges and organizers. Those video clips as well as
contest results are available at www.bajawineandcuisine.com
The winners for the 2010 competition were:
Vitivinicola
Emeve , SA de CV, of Baja California won four gold medals, including the Grand Award for their Malbec, the top wine of 2010.
Bodegas
de Santo Tomas also won four golds; Viņedos Las Nubes SA de CV won four golds; Viņedos La Farga won three gold medals; Fresno
State Winery won three golds; Robledo Family Winery of Sonoma, California won three golds; Hacienda Las Lomita won a gold
and two silvers; Vinicola Torres Alegre won two golds; Viņas de Garza won two golds; Azienda Vinicola Rivera won two golds;
Bodegas de Baron Balch’e won two golds; Bodegas Vinicola Real S.L. won two golds; Cavas Valmar won a gold; Vinart won
a gold; MD won a gold; and Casa Pedro Domecq won a gold.
Of the
gold medals awarded 23 went to Mexico, followed by Spain, California, Argentina, Italy, and South Africa.
An interesting
note is which varietals won the most gold: Cabernet Sauvignon 100% or blends won 11 golds, Merlot 100% or blends won five
golds, Syrah 100% or blends won five golds, Tempranillo 100% or blends won five golds, Nebbiolo 100% won three golds, Grenache
100% or blends won two golds, Malbec one gold — and the Grand Award, Zinfandel one gold, and Barbera one gold. Red wines
took 50 golds, while white wines won 5 awards. Gold winning white varietals were Chardonnay, Viognier, and Sauvignon Blanc
or various blends of those varietals.
——————————
For a Baja California Wine
Route map, click on MexiData.info "Links," and go to "Mexico Maps and Time Zones"
Steve Dryden is a wine, food and travel writer living
in Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico’s premier wine country in northwestern Baja California, where he guides individual and
small group wine tours. He can be reached at sbdryden@hotmail.com. Visit his new blog at www.winefoodguide.com or www.bajawineandcuisine.com
