Loew Vineyards is celebrating recognition for both its wines and meads.
The Mt. Airy, Maryland, producer entered the TEXSOM competition and heard recently that its Malka (a traditional mead in the Polish style) received a Judge’s Selection (1 of 19 products to earn this medal) while its 2021 Cab Franc earned a platinum medal (1 of 76 to receive this). Three other entries also won awards.
TEXSOM took place April 30 to May 3 at Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas, Texas. The awards drew more than 2,300 entries representing 25 countries and 19 U.S. states.
Rachel Lipman, who is following in her grandfather’s footsteps and carrying on the family tradition of making mead and wine, said Loew is the first winery from Maryland to have received these awards…
The winery’s 2015 Veritas dessert wine claims the annual Maryland Comptroller’s Cup award
ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The 2023 Maryland Winemasters Choice Competition featured a record 147 entries and included Maryland-made wines from 23 wineries. Judges determined that Boordy Vineyards’ 2015 Veritas performed best and earned the 2023 Comptroller’s Cup. The competition showcased a diverse range of entries, from exquisitely crafted sweet fruit wines to fine white and red wine varietals.
“Boordy Vineyards bridges the gap between Maryland’s wine-growing heritage and modern approaches to crafting fine local wines,” says Kelly Dudeck, executive director of the Maryland Wineries Association. “This award highlights the winery’s commitment to growing and producing award-winning wines in the state while showing that unique wine styles, like the 2015 Veritas dessert wine, can consistently earn the judges’ favor at competitions.”
Boordy Vineyards’ Veritas is a luscious and full-bodied dessert wine crafted from locally grown grapes. The wine’s aromas of orange and caramel develop from gradual oxidation while aging in French oak. The 2015 Veritas unanimously earned double gold before claiming the best fortified/dessert wine award and the competition’s “Best in Show” title.
“We have produced Veritas for over two decades, having discovered almost by accident that Chambourcin makes an exceptional port-style wine when appropriately vinified and patiently aged, said Rob Deford, president of Boordy Vineyards. “Our 2015 Veritas spent 7 years in barrel, allowing it ample time to develop its nuanced aromas and depth of flavor. The credit for our Veritas goes to our vineyard crew, led by Ron Wates, and our winemakers Tom Burns and Jose Real.”
Located in Hydes, Boordy Vineyards became a bonded winery in 1945. The vineyards and winery have been owned by the Deford family since the 1980s. Today, Boordy operates vineyards in Baltimore and Frederick counties. The Hydes vineyard, winery and tasting room attract local residents and tourists to its beautiful property throughout the year.
Of the event’s 147 entries, 119 wines earned scores qualifying them for medals. Best-in-class acknowledgments were awarded to wines in 9 categories. The event awarded five double gold medals, 14 gold medals and an additional 96 silver and bronze medals. These results underscore the tremendous quality of the competition’s entries and the participating wineries. The list of best-in-class, double gold and gold medal winners includes:
Best In Class
BEST IN SHOW & Fortified/Dessert: Boordy Vineyards • 2015 Veritas
White Blend: Big Cork Vineyards • 2022 Russian Kiss
White Varietal: Boordy Vineyards • 2022 Albariño
Red Blend: Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard • 2022 Orion
Fruit: Big Cork Vineyards • NV Black Raspberry Port
Mead: Clear Skies Meadery • 2023 Meadarita
Sparkling: Big Cork Vineyards • 2022 Blanc de Blanc
Double Gold Medal Wines
Big Cork Vineyards • 2020 Muscat Port
Big Cork Vineyards • 2022 Russian Kiss
Boordy Vineyards • 2022 Albariño
Boordy Vineyards • 2015 Veritas
Serpent Ridge Vineyard • 2021 Albariño
Gold Medal Wines
Big Cork Vineyards • NV Black Raspberry Port
Boordy Vineyards • 2022 Chambourcin Merlot
Boyd Cru Wines • 2022 Free Spirit Rosé
Corteau Vineyards • NV Petit Verdot
Corteau Vineyards • NV Barbera
Corteau Vineyards • 2022 Chardonnay
Libertas Estates • 2021 Pinot Gris
Port of Leonardtown Winery • 2020 Chambourcin Reserve
Port of Leonardtown Winery • 2020 Vintner’s Select Red
Robin Hill Farm & Vineyards • 2022 Rooted
Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard • 2022 Chardonnay
Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard • 2022 Merlot
Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard • 2022 Orion
Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard • 2022 Pinot Grigio
To see the rest of the competition medalists and to learn more about the Maryland Wineries Association, please visit marylandwine.com. If you’re looking for an opportunity to find award-winning Maryland wines, consider attending an upcoming event featuring Maryland wine, including Wine in the Woods. Wine in the Woods returns to Symphony Woods at Merriweather Post on May 20 and 21, 2023, tickets are on sale now at wineinthewoods.com.
About the Maryland Wineries Association. The Maryland Wineries Association (MWA), formed in 1984, is the non-profit trade association representing more than 85 member wineries in Maryland. MWA’s mission is to develop and expand Maryland’s grape and wine industry – through education and promotion.
PORT OF LEONARDTOWN WINERY 2019 CHAMBOURCIN RESERVE NAMED BEST MARYLAND WINE AT 2021 MARYLAND GOVERNOR’S CUP
Big Cork Vineyards earns Jack Aellen Cup for Black Cap Port
(ANNAPOLIS, MD) – Boasting a deep crimson color, bold red berry flavor, and spicy aromas, the 2019 Chambourcin Reserve from Port of Leonardtown Winery earned the 2021 Maryland Governor’s Cup. After residing for 18 months in French and American Oak barrels, this award-winning wine stunned judges in early September and was awarded as the best in class for Maryland red wines prior to taking the competition’s top award.
“We are especially proud to win top honors for our Chambourcin Reserve, made from grapes grown in our Southern Maryland vineyards,” said Lauren Zimmerman, the winemaker for the Port of Leonardtown Winery.
The Maryland Governor’s Cup Competition judges wines that are produced in Maryland and made with grapes or other fruit grown exclusively within the state. The timing of the competition takes place as wineries and vineyards throughout the state harvest the current year’s vintage. Local terroir and climate in the vineyard play an enormous role in shaping the flavor and quality of the future wine.
“The fall season of 2019 was particularly dry and sunny, which helped concentrate the sugars and flavors in the grapes, resulting in a complex, refined wine, with a silky smooth finish,” said Zimmerman.
Big Cork Vineyards Wins Jack Aellen Cup
The Governor’s Cup Competition also awards the Jack Aellen Cup, recognizing the state’s best fruit wine. Rohrersville’s Big Cork Vineyards earned this year’s acclaim for their Black Cap Port, made from locally grown black raspberries.
“This beautiful port-style wine highlights the region’s heritage as a major producer of black raspberries,” says Kevin Atticks, Executive Director of the Maryland Wineries Association.
The Jack Aellen Cup is the second major cup won by Big Cork Vineyard in 2021. Earlier this year, the winery was awarded the Comptroller’s Cup for their 2019 Viognier.
The Port of Leonardtown Winery 2019 Chambourcin Reserve and the Big Cork Vineyards Black Cap Port are currently available for purchase. To learn more about these great wines, visit the winery websites or plan a trip to their tasting rooms. For more information about Maryland’s growing wine industry, or to locate a winery near you, visit the Maryland Wineries Association website at marylandwine.com or download the Maryland Craft Beverages App on Android and iOS.
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