The Jefferson Cup Invitational Wine Competition
“THE BEST OF THE BEST” IN AMERICAN WINES FACE OFF AT FOURTH ANNUAL JEFFERSON CUP INVITATIONAL
Great American Wines From Thirty Two States in Top Wines Competition
Wines from Five Different States Capture Top Honors
COLUMBIA , Mo. ( December 19, 2003 ) – Just as the event's namesake
would have it, democracy reigned at this year's Jefferson Cup Invitational
Wine Competition.
The two day competition among the nation's best wines in honor of our nation's third President was held from December 18-19 at the University of Missouri Culinary Center. It culminated with the awarding of the FIVE Jefferson Cup Awards. The five Jefferson Cups were awarded this year for one red and one white wine each in the vinifera and non vinifera categories, as well as one Jefferson Cup for best dessert wine. Together these five wines represent some of the most compelling wines made in America .
Taking top vinifera honors this year in a field filled with some of the nation's top wines was, for the third year in a row, a wine made from the Syrah grape. Last year's winner came from Washington State , the much-lauded Apex Winery in central Washington with their 1999 Syrah bottling.
This year's winner was Callaghan Winery's 2002 Syrah from Arizona , beating out some spectacular California , Oregon and Washington reds. Master of Wine and Master Sommelier Doug Frost, who directed the competition, explains, “In the last three years, the Jefferson Cup has gone to a Syrah. I think this may herald a change in thinking about American wine – that Cabernet is always king. Maybe it's not. And Kent Callaghan is to be congratulated for beating the West Coast at its own game. ”
This year's Jefferson Cup for a white vinifera wine went to Anapamu Riesling 2002. Anapamu Syrah 1999 won the 2001 Jefferson Cup, so this Central Coast label owned by the Gallo Wine Company is no stranger to success in this competition, despite the fact that twice in four years it has won out against hundreds of hand-picked top wines to win its second Jefferson Cup.
Earning the Jefferson Cup in the non-vinifera category for red wine was a beautifully balanced wine from southern Illinois , the Alto Vineyards Chambourcin 2001. “I defy anyone to taste that wine blind and tell me that it is a less important or less delicious wine, simply because it's made from a hybrid grape, the Chambourcin,” says Frost.
