New York ice wine earns 'best' in class

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Following up on the last post, this note from the weekly e-letter of the New York Grape & Wine Foundation on the judging results of the International Wine & Spirits competition.

“WORLD’S BEST DESSERT WINE,” as determined by the 2008 International Wine & Spirits Competition in London, is a Finger Lakes native: Casa Larga 2005 Fiori Vidal Ice Wine. The IWSC is one of the world’s most rigorous and prestigious wine competitions, and included over 5,000 entries from around the world, so even a Silver medal (like Casa Larga’s Fiori Cabernet Franc Ice Wine, also voted “Best of Class”) is a major accomplishment; but the “Best” designation is truly extraordinary. Casa Larga, with a vineyard including a view of the Rochester skyline in the distance, has a long history of major medals with its ice wines, including our Governor’s Cup award a few years ago. In addition, the ice wine was a favorite among consumers this fall at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, where we sponsored a New York wine presence. The wine is made entirely from vidal grapes that are frozen on the vine, then harvested and processed at the winery. The result is a rich and luscious dessert wine with flavors of butterscotch, apricot and pineapple. This is the first time Casa Larga has entered the IWSC—but I bet it won’t be the last. For more information, visit www.casalarga.com.