The event took place at FIU Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management in Miami on January 15th, 2022. Over 250 wines were evaluated and judged by five, four-member panels of industry professionals including educators, distributors, retailers, journalists, restaurateurs, and sommeliers. Star judges including writer Peg San Filippo, sommelier Jenn Schmitt, educator and reviewer Ray Sholes, restaurateur Angelo Romano, writer Sunny Fraser, sommelier Ervin Machado, and Sara and Monty Preiser, publishers of “The Preiser Key ” and vintners (Shadowbox Cellars in Napa). All spend hundreds of hours each year evaluating wines. According to Shari Gherman, certified sommelier and president of the AFWC “Panels of independent judges who taste wine, as these people do, are able to arrive at non-biased conclusions that benefit the consumer and the entire industry,” citing the Texas winner as an example. “Silver Spur is a small winery in a state not known for top wines, but it won Best of Class for ‘Other Single Red Varietal’ AND Best of Show Red. You can bet that it would not have won either but for blind tasting.” The results yielded a number of exciting and affordable options. Judge Monty Preiser said “Each of these winners is special, and fairly priced. The consumer should run to find them.” The full results are on the AFWC website: americanfinewinecompetition.org
The AFWC began in 2007, determined to find small, independent wineries, find the best they produce, and help get their name in front of the wine-loving public. Currently the AFWC runs three contests: All Americas (these are the results of it) The Invitational, and THE Rosé Competition. Since inception, the AFWC has donated more than $1.1 million to multiple charities. Venü Magazine has been a proud media partner of the AFWC since 2015. Along with Shari Gherman, we cordially invite you to attend AFWC’s many charitable food and wine events that take place throughout the year from Palm Beach to Miami-Dade Counties. Attendees have the opportunity to enjoy hundreds of excellent wines that were part of the competitions. It’s a fantastic way to expand your wine knowledge and palate, as well as network and meet other wine lovers in South Florida. Cheers to your good health!
Best of Show
Sparkling: N/V Breathless, Late Disgorged Brut, Russian River ($59)
White: 2019 Bee Hunter Semillon, Anderson Valley ($42)
Red: 2019 Silver Spur, Aglianico, Comanche County, TX ($59)
Dessert: 2019 Ferrante Vidal Blanc, Ice Wine, Grand River Valley, Ohio ($30)
Best of Class
Cabernet Franc: 2016 The Winery SF, North Coast ($40)
Cabernet Sauvignon: 2018 Ehret Family, Hillside Reserve, Knights Valley ($115)
Chardonnay: 2019 Bee Hunter, Anderson Valley ($60)
Dessert: 2019 Ferrante Vidal Blanc, Ice Wine, Grand River Valley, OH ($30)
Fruit Wines: Barefoot Fruitscato Mango ($7)
Merlot: 2018 Ehret Family, Bavarian Lion Vineyard, Knights Valley ($55)
Other White Single Varietal: 2019 Bee Hunter Semillon, Anderson Valley ($42)
Other Red Single Varietal: 2019 Silver Spur, Aglianico, Comanche County, TX ($59)
Petite Sirah: 2019 Bricoleur, Kick Ranch, Fountaingrove District, Sonoma ($55)
Pinot Noir: 2019 Papapietro Perry, Pommard Clones, Russian River Valley, Runner up Best of Show ($80)
Red Blend: 2019 Zina Hyde Cunningham, Redwood Valley, Zin & Petite Sirah ($48)
Red Bordeaux Style Blend: 2016 The Winery SF, BDX, North Coast ($50)
Riesling: 2020 Winery at Black Star Farms, Arcturos, Dry Riesling, MI ($17)
Sake: Yomi, Junmai Ginjo- The Afterlife, NV, Oregon ($18)
Sauvignon Blanc: 2020 Okapi, Napa Valley ($30)
Sparkling: N/V Breathless, Late Disgorged Brut, Russian River ($59)
Syrah: 2018 VIE, Canihan Vineyards, Sonoma ($45)
White Blend: 2018 ONX Estate, Field Day, Paso Robles, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, & Grenache Blanc ($20)
Zinfandel: 2020 Ehret Family, Knights Valley, Sonoma ($60)
For more information about the American Fine Wine Competition, upcoming events, and full competition results, please visit: www.AmericanFineWineCompetition.org
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