Grand Tasting kicks off Wine Symposium of the FL

38 wineries, submitting 123 wines competed for a Best in Class trophy in the third annual Finger Lakes AVA Riesling Challenge which took place June 5 at the New York Wine and Culinary Center. Judged exclusively by Finger Lakes winemakers, the Finger Lakes AVA Riesling Challenge provides the opportunity for wineries to showcase the strength of their vineyards, their cellars and the unique microclimate of the Finger Lakes region. “The Finger Lakes Riesling Challenge is a unique wine competition in that the wines are judged by a select group of technically proficient Finger Lakes winemakers. These judges have many years of familiarity and experience crafting high quality Rieslings from the numerous, unique vineyards within the Finger Lakes AVA.” -Steve DeFrancesco, winemaker, Glenora Wine Cellars and head judge for the ChallengeThe awarding of honors to wines based on the International Riesling Foundation’s (IRF) Riesling Taste Profile for the wine’s sweetness supplemented with an additional Dessert class highlights the different attributes of this cool-climate wine.The Wine Symposium of the Finger Lakes, in its third year, will hold a Grand Tasting of these award winning Rieslings August 21 from 5 to 7:30 pm at the Visitor and Events Center on Geneva’s lakefront. Sponsored by the Finger Lakes Times, this walk about tasting celebrates the Finger Lakes’ role as a top-quality producer of this varietal. Symposium organizers will present trophies to the Best in Class winners at this event. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased at http://winesymposiumfingerlakes.com/tickets/event-tickets/The Symposium continues on Saturday, August 22 with a slew of events in downtown Geneva. Components include an Opening Session of panelists discussing different aspects of what makes the Finger Lakes so fantastic, four cool-climate seminars headed by sommeliers and wine experts, four different winemakers luncheons and a street tasting with a blues band. All of these components are sold separately http://winesymposiumfingerlakes.com/program/The Best in Class winners in the five categories of the Finger Lakes AVA Riesling Challenge are: Dry: Wagner Vineyards Dry Riesling 2013Medium Dry: Chateau Lafayette Reneau Dry Riesling 2014Medium Sweet: Wagner Vineyards Semi-Dry Riesling 2012Sweet: Sheldrake Point Winery Luckystone Riesling 2014Dessert: Sheldrake Point Winery Wild Ferment Riesling Ice Wine 2014Congratulations to the Gold Medal winning wines. They are:Dry: Lakewood Vineyards 3Generations Riesling 2013Thirsty Owl Wine Company Dry Riesling 2014Barnstormer Winery Dry Riesling 2014Lucas Vineyards Dry Riesling 2012Hosmer Winery Dry Riesling 2013Keuka Springs Vineyards Humpreys Vineyard Riesling 2014Penguin Bay Winery Dry Riesling 2014Medium Dry:Damiani Wine Cellars Davis Vineyard Dry Riesling 2012Lucas Vineyards Dry Riesling 2013Silver Thread Vineyard Doyle Fournier Riesling 2014Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars Red Oak Vineyard Riesling 2013Medium Sweet:Lakewood Vineyards Riesling 2014Silver Thread Vineyard Semi-Dry Riesling 2013 Billsboro Winery Sawmill Creek Vineyard Riesling 2013Anthony Road Wine Company Semi-Dry Riesling 2013Sweet:Dr. Konstantin Frank Reserve Riesling 2013Rooster Hill Winery Semi-Sweet Riesling Reserve 2013Dessert:White Springs Winery Late Harvest Riesling 2013Glenora Wine Cellars Riesling Ice Wine 2014Boundary Breaks Riesling Late Harvest 90 2013 Sheldrake Point Winery Riesling Ice Wine 2014