HV wine competition ends with a tie at the top

The outcome of the Hudson Valley Wine & Spirits Competition this year produced something we don't see very often. A tie for "Winery of the Year" honors.

The event, held at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds in  Rhinebeck as part of the annual Hudson Valley Wine & Food Festival, drew 111 entries -- 94 wines, 13 ciders and four spirits, evaluated by 16 judges.

To qualify for the competition, all entries were required to be produced and bottled in the Hudson River Valley AVA (American Viticultural Area) with fruit from the Hudson River Valley or elsewhere in New York State. The event was organized by the Hudson Valley Wine & Grape Association, under the leadership of Debbie Gioquindo. The major results:

Winery of the Year: Tie between Tousey Winery of Germantown and Benmarl Winery of Marlboro

Best in Show/Best Wine: Whitecliff Vineyard's 2016 Vidal Blan

Best Rosé: Tousey Winery's 2016 Rebellion Rosé

Best Sparkling Wine: Benmarl's 2012 Blanc de Blanc

Best Red Wine: Robibero Family Vineyards' 2013 Cabernet Franc

Best Fruit Wine: Christopher Jacobs Winery's Appleoosa

Best Dessert Wine: Brotherhood Winery's Late Harvest Riesling

Best Cider: Brooklyn Cider's 2016 Half Sour

Best Spirit: Hudson Valley Distillers' Clear Mountain Gin 

Go here for a complete list of wineries and awards.

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• Go here to visit Notes On Napkins
• Go here to visit the Capital Region Brew Trail

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