New World International Wine Competition Announces 2004 Winners -- 2,178 Wines Judged

The competition is limited to wines produced in the "New World," that is, the Americas, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

The competition judges awarded thirteen special trophies to those wines winning a gold medal as well as "Best of Varietal" and "Best of Class" designation.

    1. BEST NEW WORLD CABERNET SAUVIGNON

    Castoro Cellars, Templeton, California

    2001, Cabernet Sauvignon ($15.00)



    2. BERINGER VINEYARDS MYRON NIGHTINGALE MEMORIAL TROPHY -- BEST

       NEW WORLD CHARDONNAY

    Reynolds Vineyards, New South Wales, Australia/St. Helena,

    California

    2002, Chardonnay Reserve ($15.00)



    3. BEST NEW WORLD SAUVIGNON/FUME BLANC

    Coldstream Hills, Yarra Valley, Australia/Napa, California

    2003, Sauvignon Blanc ($17.50)



    4. FETZER VINEYARDS' GUS FURTADO MEMORIAL TROPHY -- BEST NEW WORLD

       GEWURZTRAMINER

    Scheid Vineyards, Greenfield, California

    2002, Gewurztraminer ($14.00)



    5. GALLEANO FAMILY TROPHY -- BEST NEW WORLD DESSERT WINE

    Winery at Black Star Farms, Suttons Bay, Michigan

    2002, Late Harvest Riesling ($12.00)



    6. JULIO GALLO MEMORIAL TROPHY -- BEST NEW WORLD MERLOT

    Carmenet, St. Helena, California

    2001, Merlot ($24.00)



    7. BEST NEW WORLD PINOT NOIR

    Crosspoint Winery, San Jose, California

    2001, Pinot Noir ($12.00)



    8. THORNTON WINERY TROPHY -- BEST NEW WORLD SPARKLING WINE

    Mumm Napa, Healdsburg, California

    NV, Brut Prestige ($18.00)



    9. & 10. BEST NEW WORLD SYRAH/SHIRAZ and BEST NEW WORLD RED WINE

    Hahn Estates, Napa, California

    2002, Syrah ($12.00)



    11. & 12. AMERICAN AIRLINES TROPHY -- NEW WORLD GRAND CHAMPION

              BEST NEW WORLD WHITE WINE

    Stone Hill Winery, Hermann, Missouri

    2002, Vignoles ($12.99)



    13. BEST NEW WORLD ZINFANDEL

    V. Sattui Winery, St. Helena, California

    2001 Zinfandel ($22.00)

All entries were divided into categories by price, wine type and sweetness level before being evaluated blind, that is, without labels showing. The judging panels consisted of wine makers, wine educators, wine writers, retailers and other wine professionals.

"It's quite an achievement to win a medal or trophy," said Dr. Richard Peterson, Chief Judge. "Of 2,178 entries only 286 wines won a Gold medal, or a Best of Class or Best of Varietal award."

"Our judging proves that consumers don't have to spend a fortune to enjoy great wines," said Jody Tillery Gmeiner, competition co-producer and spokesman. "Some of the top winners are priced under $13.00."

Jerry D. Mead's New World International Wine Competition was established in 1990. Mead was a well known syndicated wine columnist, publisher, and consultant. Mead was an activist for the wine consumer and sought to establish a wine competition that pitted the best wines from each price class against each other resulting in a Best of Variety award as well as Bronze, Silver and Gold Medals for excellence, as well as "Best of Class" and "Best of Show."

Logos, product and company names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

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