New World International Wine Competition Announces Winners; More Than 2200 Wines Judged

ONTARIO, CA -- Feb. 25, 2005 -- More than 2200 wines were judged during the Fifteenth Annual Jerry D. Mead New World International Wine Competition held in Ontario California, February 20 and February 21, 2005. The competition is limited to wines produced in the "New World" that is, the Americas, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Sixteen panels consisting of wine professionals including wine makers, wine educators, wine writers, retailers and sommeliers judged each entry "blind" that is without labels showing.


"It’s quite an achievement to win a medal or trophy" said Dr. Richard Peterson, Chief Judge. "Of 2200 entries only 257 won a top award - either a Gold medal, or a Best of Class or Best of Varietal award"

Some of the top award winning wines were inexpensive. "Our judging proves that consumers don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy great wine because some of our top winners are priced under $13.00" said Jody Tillery Gmeiner, competition co- producer and spokesperson.

The judges awarded special trophies to wines winning a gold medal as well as those judged "Best of Varietal" and "Best of Class" A "Best of Class" award indicates the wine was judged to be the best of all of the wines in a particular category i.e. Cabernet Sauvignon, within its own price class. All "Best of Class" wines were judged again to determine a "Best of Varietal" award. New to the competition this year the Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah/Shiraz, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, and Chardonnay wines were also judged within their vintage years as well as price class.

Special trophy wines and their approximate retail price include:

1. BEST NEW WORLD CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Wattle Creek Winery - 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon, Vintage Select ($85.00)

2. BERINGER VINEYARDS MYRON NIGHTINGALE MEMORIAL TROPHY - BEST NEW WORLD CHARDONNAY

St. Supery Vineyards - 2002 Chardonnay ($18.50)

3. BEST NEW WORLD SAUVIGNON/FUME BLANC

Brancott Vineyards - 2004 Sauvignon Blanc, Reserve ($18.00)

4. GALLEANO FAMILY TROPHY - BEST NEW WORLD DESSERT WINE

NK’MIP Cellars - 2003 Riesling Ice Wine, Quam Qwmt Riesling Icewine, VQA ($59 .99)

5. JULIO GALLO MEMORIAL TROPHY - BEST NEW WORLD MERLOT

Quail Ridge Cellars - 2002 Merlot ($12.99)

6. BEST NEW WORLD PINOT NOIR

MacMurray Ranch - 2003 Pinot Noir ($32.00)

7. THORNTON WINERY TROPHY - BEST NEW WORLD SPARKLING WINE

Gruet Winery - 1997 Grande Reserve ($44.99)

8. BRONCO WINES TROPHY - BEST NEW WORLD SYRAH/SHIRAZ

R.H. Phillips - 2002 Shiraz ($9.00)

9. BEST NEW WORLD RED WINE

La Storia - 2002 Meritage Red, Estate ($45.00)

10. AMERICAN AIRLINES TROPHY - NEW WORLD GRAND CHAMPION

Gruet Winery - 1997 Grande Reserve ($44.99)

11. BEST NEW WORLD WHITE WINE

Oliver Winery - 2004 Riesling ($10.00)

12. BEST NEW WORLD ZINFANDEL

Troon Vineyard - 2002 Zinfandel, Estate Grown, Vintage Select ($100.00)

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"

Contact Information

Jody E. Tillery Gmeiner

Co-Producer / Coordinator

NWIWC

Contact via E-mail