The 2002 Sakonnet Estate Gewürztraminer won "Best of Show" (White) and Gold at the prestigious Monterey International Wine Competition, beating out all other white wines.
In its 11th year, The Monterey International Wine Festival has become one of the top 10 wine competitions in the country.
This year there were entries from France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Argentina, Chile, Australia, South Africa, Israel and New Zealand. States entering were California, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Ohio, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Only 69 Gold medals were awarded with over 1,416 entries from around the world.
Sakonnet’s Gewürztraminer grows extraordinarily well in New England’s cool coastal climate. Its delicate aromas are reminiscent of passionfruit and honey, lychee and limes, orange blossoms and white peaches, lavender and roses. In total nine tons of grapes were hand-harvested in Sakonnet's estate vineyards on October 21st and 23rd, and received almost 24 hours of skin contact after crushing to extract the delicious perfumed and spicy aromas present in the copper- colored skins of the Gewürztraminer grape berries. After gentle pressing, the juice was fermented at 52 degrees Fahrenheit in stainless steel. The young wine was aged on the yeast lees for five months and later bottle-aged for five months before its release.
The Monterey International Wine Competition entries will be showcased at the Grand Tasting at the Salinas Valley Fair, opening night, Thursday, May 13.
