© 1997 JDM Enterprises STATE FAIR RESULTSby Jerry D. MeadI've been known to criticize the California State Fair Wine Competition. I think the format is a little confusing and the Fair's claim to be the oldest wine competition in America is valid only if you ignore the fact that it ceased operation for many years before starting up again (making the Los Angeles County Fair the oldest continuously operating wine show). But one thing cannot be taken away from CSF: It has by far the classiest, flashiest awards book of any wine competition in this galaxy. It's a full size, 4-color magazine containing not only all the results, but interviews and feature stories on major winners, and even a non-related to the competition wine story or two. And there is commercial sponsorship too, but the ads seem to be in no conflict with the judging itself. CSF also has a corporate sponsorship deal with Lucky Stores, a West Coast grocery chain which sells the awards book/magazine in its wine sections. It sells for $4.95 in the stores or send that same amount to: State Fair Wine Winners, Box 1598, Carson City, NV 89702 (800) 845-9463. To the credit of the editors of CSF's awards book, the background stories on major winners include mentions of medals won at other major wine competitions and even quotes from major wine critics and publications. Don't spend too much time looking for CSF's "Best of Show" award winner...the 1995 Gary Farrell "Russian River" Zinfandel has pretty much evaporated from the market. The "Golden Winery Award" went to mail order sales leader Windsor Vineyards, whose winemaker Carol Shelton just happened to be this column's "Winemaker of the Year" for 1996. You can contact Windsor for a complete list of its medal winners at (800) 766-6627. CSF also does this "Best of Region" awards thing, and the Best of Napa was St. Supery 1996 Sauvignon Blanc. This one should still be around. Callaway's 1996 Viognier was named Best Wine of the South Coast. Boeger 1994 "Vineyard Select" Barbera from Eldorado County was named Best of the Sierra Foothills. You'll find a whole string of other regional winners when you pick up the awards book. CSF also gives "Best of Variety" awards, with that honor going to Beringer 1996 for White Zinfandel, to Venezia 1995 "Eagle Point Ranch" for Sangiovese and to Trout Gulch 1995 "Santa Cruz" for Chardonnay. Husch 1996 "Anderson Valley-Late Harvest" took the prize for Best Gewurztraminer, and another late harvest wine, Herzog 1995 "Monterey" came out on top for Johannisberg Riesling. Tied for "Best of" honors for Cabernet Sauvignon are Bonterra 1994 "Organically Grown" and De Loach 1994 "Russian River - O.F.S." Another tie for Pinot Noir, between Byron 1994 "Reserve" and Windsor 1994 "Shelton Signature Series." And one last tie for Benziger 1995 "Old Vine" Zinfandel and Greenwood Vineyard 1995 "Scherrer Vineyard" Zinfandel. Since we can't provide contact information for every wine mentioned, call my office at (800) 845-9463 and someone will help you find a source.
BULGARIAN REDSMenada Bulgarian wines are available in many states and distribution is growing steadily. To track down nearest retailer: Bulgarian Master Vintners, 2195 Faraday Ave #G, Carlsbad, CA 92008 (619) 603-0601 or E-mail: bmv@ix.netcom.com Every wine in the current line is a "Best Buy." Menada 1995 Merlot ($7) Forward, friendly, fruity red wine with mostly cherry and a little plum flavor. Soft but not spineless. Very tasty. Rating: 85/90 Menada 1992 "Reserve" Cabernet Sauvignon ($7) Very ripe aromas and flavors, leaning to cassis with some berry. The level of earthy complexity is exceptional for this price category. Rating: 86/92 Menada 1991 "Private Reserve" Cabernet Sauvignon ($9) Berry and cassis flavors with a hint of dill. Aged for an entire year in imported American oak barrels. Fuller, richer and more intense than the 1992, with a longer aftertaste. Very satisfying; case purchases highly recommended. Rating: 87/95 Menada 1990 "Private Reserve" Cabernet-Merlot ($9) Three years in Bulgarian oak, the wine offers up a mint and eucalyptus nose. Some old wood flavors, reminiscent of California wines from 20 years ago that had been aged in old redwood tanks. Berry fruit with some not unpleasant oxidation. Those who like their wines young and fruity will hate it, but it will have its fans. Rating: 84/90
BEST BUY WINE OF THE WEEKWines are scored using a unique 100 point system. First number rates quality; second number rates value. For a reprint explaining the scoring system in depth and a pocket scoring guide, send $1 to: Mead's 100 Points, Box 1598, Carson City, NV 89702.
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