The Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association hosted the 26th annual Lone Star International Wine Competition (LSIWC) on June 8-9 at the Grapevine Convention Center. Nearly 500 wines from around the world were judged in 30+ categories by a panel of restaurant owners, sommeliers and other wine experts from Texas. This year’s co-chairs were Barbara Werley, M.S., Pappas Brothers Steakhouse's Master Sommelier and Beverage Director, the first Master Sommelier in the 26 year history of the event; and Michael Zerbach, long time chair of the event and winner of the John E. Crosby, Jr. Award for his achievements in increasing the stature and visibility of the Lone Star Wine Competition awarded by the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association Board of Directors.
The LSIWC is three competitions in one – a Texas Competition, an International Competition, and a Limited Production Competition. To qualify for the Texas Competition, the wine must be 75% volume from Texas grapes.
To enter the International Competition, there are no restrictions on where the grapes were grown, although 200 cases or more of the wine must have been produced. The Limited Production Competition is wines from around the globe with production levels below 200 cases. Wines could have been entered in more than one competition should they have met the requirements for more than one competition.
After the blind competition judging, media and special guests were invited to taste the gold and silver medal winning wines. According to Michael Zerbach, Competition Co-Chair, “After the final blind judging for the grand star awards, judges, industry professionals and members of the media are invited to view and taste the winning wine with corresponding winery and ordering information”. As a result the wineries’ exposure to the market and public wine consumer is greatly increased”.
New this year was a category for Texas wineries that have been in business for three years or less. Titled the Texas Vintner’s Rising Star Award, it was sponsored by owner and long time wine maker of Messina Hof Winery & Resort, Paul Bonarrigo. It was awarded to recognize fine Texas wine made from new, up and coming wine makers and encourage more new wineries to enter their products. There were six new wineries that fit the criteria. An award was presented for the best red wine and the best white wine, which were judged separately on the final day of judging. This year’s winners of the Texas Vintner’s Rising Star Awards were KE Cellars for their 4 U Syrah, 2006 red table wine and Enoch’s Stomp Vineyard & Winery for their Blanc du Bois Off-Dry white, 2008.
Twenty-six gold, 81 silver and 172 bronze medals were awarded to entries from fourteen US states and several foreign countries. |
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Grand Star Awards
Winners by Winery
Winners by Division
Texas Winners
2009 LSIWC Press Release
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