By Mark Gauert

City & Shore Magazine

Wines from California dominated the 2021 American Fine Wine Competition, judged May 29-31 at Florida International University in North Miami, including five of the seven Best of Show categories. But there were surprises this year when an ice wine from Ferrante Winery in Ohio won Best of Show in the Sweet category; and a sake from SakeOne in Oregon took Best of Show in its category.

“At AFWC, we look for the very best wines the country has to offer, and so they must be vetted before being invited,” says Shari Gherman, American Wine Competition co-founder and president, who announced the results on June 30. “This year was challenging since the country was pretty much shut down. But with some creativity, we persevered, and as one can see by the results, we found stunning wines yet again.”

More than 550 wines from 125 wineries competed in this year’s live-tasting event at the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at FIU’s Biscayne Bay Campus. The 28 judging panel included wine industry educators, restaurateurs, retailers, journalists and top sommeliers from across the country.

The Best of Show winners for 2021 are:

Sparkling (tie)

Domaine Carneros “Le Reve” ($120) and “Ultra Brut” ($48), which both scored 97 out of a possible 100 points from the judges, https://www.domainecarneros.com/

White

Thomas George Estates’ Belle’s Blend Grenache Blanc, Viognier ($25), from the Russian River Valley, Chalk Hill, https://www.thomasgeorgeestates.com/

Red (tie)

Papapietro-Perry Campbell Ranch Pinot Noir ($63), from the Sonoma Coast, https://papapietro-perry.com/

St. Amant’s “The Curmudgeon” Syrah ($21), from Amador County, Calif., https://www.stamantwine.com/

Sweet

Ferrante Winery’s Vidal Blanc, Ice Wine ($30), from the Grand River Valley, Ohio, https://www.ferrantewinery.com/

Sake

SakeOne’s Niigata ($60), from the Willamette Valley, Oregon, https://sakeone.com/

Best of Class Winners

Cabernet Sauvignon

Peju’s H.B. Reserve ($245), from Rutherford, Calif., https://www.peju.com/

Pinot Noir

Papapietro-Perry’s Campbell Ranch Pinot Noir ($63), from the Sonoma Coast, https://papapietro-perry.com/

Red Bordeaux Style Blend

Chase Cellars’ Bourn Luck ($95), from the Napa Valley, https://www.chasecellars.com/

Cabernet Franc

Peju ($75), Napa Valley, https://www.peju.com/

Zinfandel

Harney Lane’s Old Vine, Lizzy James Vineyard ($36), from Lodi, Calif., https://www.harneylane.com/

Syrah (tie)

Reustle Prayer Rock Winery’s Winemaker’s Reserve ($42), from the Umpqua Valley, Oregon, https://www.reustlevineyards.com/

St. Amant’s “The Curmudgeon” Syrah ($21), from Amador County, Calif., https://www.stamantwine.com/

Merlot

Ballentine Vineyards ($45), Napa Valley, https://ballentinevineyards.com/

Petite Syrah

Harney Lane ($28), from Lodi, Mokelumne River, Calif., https://www.harneylane.com/

Other Red Blend

Oak Farm Vineyards’ Raffaele, Estate Grown ($40), from Lodi, Calif., https://www.oakfarmvineyards.com/

Other Red Single Varietal

Barrister’s Dionysus Vineyard Petit Verdot ($41), from the Columbia Valley, Washington, http://barristerwine.com/

Chardonnay

Blair Estate’s Delfina’s Vineyard “The Matriarch” ($40), from Arroyo Seco, Calif., http://www.blairwines.com/delfinas-vineyard/

Sauvignon Blanc

Reustle Prayer Rock Winery ($26), from the Umpqua Valley, Oregon, https://www.reustlevineyards.com/

Dry Riesling (tie)

Bel Lago’s French Valley ($17), from the Leelanau Peninsula, Michigan, https://bellago.com/

Glenora Wine Cellars ($17), from the Finger Lakes, N.Y., https://www.glenora.com/

Off-Dry Riesling

Glenora Wine Cellars’ Wild Yeasts ($20), from the Finger Lakes, N.Y., https://www.glenora.com/

Viognier

Acquiesce ($30), from Lodi, Mokelumne River, Calif., https://www.acquiescevineyards.com/

Other White Blend

Thomas George Estates’ Belle’s Blend Grenache Blanc/Viognier ($25), from the Russian River Valley, Chalk Hill, https://www.thomasgeorgeestates.com/

The Double Gold, Gold and Silver medalists are available at www.AmericanFineWineCompetition.org.

Photo: Taking a vote during a recent American Fine Wine Competition tasting at Florida International University in North Miami. Mark Gauert/courtesy