What happens when you take over 1500 wines and over 100 judges… A Best of Show Red and White wine. This happens every year in March at the Hilton Head Winefest. This is the largest outdoor tented wine event on the East Coast. With your admission you get a souvenir wine glass and the opportunity to taste over two thousand different wines. Many people start at one end of the event and work tent to tent, others use heir guide to taste the wines that won medals, and a third group just enjoy trying new wines and hearing about the winery from the representative or winemaker present. This event is a great way to learn everything you would ever want to know and enjoy a great glass of wine at the same time.

This year’s winners for the white and red best of show titles both came from California. To win this title you have to go through three and sometimes four rounds of judging by different judges, and still have all of them come to a consensus that this was the best wine in its category. I have sat on many of these judging tables and it will take over 2 hours to come to this discussion, with lots of conversation and thought. All of the judges are industry professionals or have been judging for many years.

This years white wine that won the coveted title of best of show was the 2004 J. Lohr Vineyards Arroyo Secco, Arroyo Vista Chardonnay ($26). This wine is very Burgundian in style meaning that is takes on many old world wine characteristics. When you pour your first glass the brilliant golden yellow color release waves of ripe pears and honeysuckle aromas with a light lemon custard aromatic lingering in the nose that starts getting the taste buds excited for the first sip. The flavors were out of this world, layers of honey, vanilla, allspice baked apples and a fresh cream note glided across the tongue awaking all the senses. The finish allowed all the flavors to hang on to the taste buds and a wave of crisp citrus acidity cleansed the palette, making each sip as delightful as the first.

The red Best of Show 2003 Alexander Vineyards Cyrus ($60) was true classic, packed with elegance and class in each sip.  This wine is what we call a Meritage, a blending based on Bordeaux style wines. This wine is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Malbec, and 1% Petit Verdot, all of which are used to make many of the First Growth Bordeaux wines. Meritages from United States are meant to stand up or surpass the quality of their French counterparts. This wine starts with a soft nose of black plum and clove notes. The flavors were out of this world and flowed across the tongue like velvet. Black raspberries and cocoa powder notes were framed perfectly with soft leathery mouth feel. The finish flowed like silk, all the flavors gliding across the tongue and lingering for the next sip.

Nothing makes a bottle of wine more enjoyable than food. I asked a good friend of mine, Michael Cirafesi, chef at Michael Anthony’s Cucina Italiana decidied to make an entrée for each of the winners that would showcase his culinary flare.  For the J. Lohr Chardonnay He paired Scallops with Black Truffle and Wilted Spinach dish. The great flavors truffles and creaminess of the cream and scallops was a perfect match to the vanilla and fruit notes in the wine. For the Cyrus he paired a sautéed Venison Chop with a black currant and Amarone sauce. He uses grape seed oil for the recipe with a Venison chop. You will need to know a hunter to get one of these or they can be ordered from specialty food shops or online. The gaminess of the meat and the herb and pepper coating allowed the Cyrus to really develop in the glass. The leathery earthiness flavors of the wine were a perfect match to the game flavors of the meat. This was a true match made in heaven.

Next time you are in the Hilton Head area make a point to stop by and taste one of Michael’s great creations. Michael Anthony’s is a family owned and operated restaurant, and on any evening you can have a chance to talk with Jill, Becky, or Tony about the restaurant and the dishes on the menu, in addition they have a great wine list and wine by the glass program that will delight a novice to the seasoned enthusiast. They are located on the South end of the island at 11 Genoa Court. Reservations can be made at 843-671-3510.  If you want to make a great weekend than try to attend the Hilton Head Winefest which will be held starting on Tuesday March the 6^th and finishing with the grand tasting on Saturday March 8^th. For more information on the festival contact Hilton Head Hospitality Association at 843-686-4944.

Cheers!