Over 60 Tasters Agreed…(the odds are in your favor)

The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition results are in! This giant affair has 60 professional wine tasters tasting over 4,900 wines. And just like any other cut-throat competition, there is only one winner…well, one from every category. But even with close to 100 categories in this competition, ranging from variety to price, I would still guess that receiving an award here would be a true honor.  Of all the various categories, here are the ones that I think many will find most useful:

2010 Sweepstakes Winners (Best of the Best)

J Vineyards & Winery
Russian River Valley J Brut Rose ($35)

Keuka Spring Vineyards
Finger Lakes, New York ‘08 Gewurztraminer ($17)

Bray Vineyards
Shenandoah Valley, Amador County, CA ‘08 Barbera Rosato($17) 

Graton Ridge Cellars
Russian River Valley, Paul Family Vineyard ‘07 Estate Pinot Noir ($40)

Watermill Winery
Walla Walla Valley, Washington ‘08 Late Harvest Gewurztraminer ($14)

Best of Class – up to $15

Cabernet Sauvignon: Mirassou Sun ’07, California ($12)

Merlot: Huntington ’07, California ($15)

Chardonnay: Wente Vineyards ’08, Livermore, Morning Fog ($15)

Sauvignon Blanc or Fume: Sea Glass ‘08, Santa Barbara Co. ($13)

Best of Class – up to $10

Chardonnay: Motos Liberty Cellar ’08 ($9)

Merlot: Rebel Wine Company ’08, California Bandit ($9)

* For the complete list of winners, visit the winejudging website.