Pennsylvania is home to over 400 winemakers producing incredible wines that the Pennsylvania Winery Association supports and spotlights. The PWA’s 2024 Sommelier Judgement of PA Wines on May 13th was a spirited celebration that highlighted the best vinifera wines and select hybrids in the state.
A blind panel, including 20 sommeliers, wine writers, educators and buyers convened at Paradocx Vineyard in Landenberg for all-day tasting and analysis of over 80 wines.
Wines had to be 100% Pennsylvania grown fruit, at least 75% of a vinifera or hybrid variety and have less than 1% residual sugar. Vinifera wines are common European varieties like Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Chambourcin, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc while hybrids include Vidal Blanc and Chambourcin. 20 different wineries submitted entries.
The panel had a busy morning, tasting sparkling, white, rosé and red wines. In the afternoon, it zeroed in on the top 20% of wines that had moved on from the first round. All the wines were scored based on:
- Appearance
- Aroma and bouquet
- Taste and texture
- After taste
- Overall impression
The panel tasted wines blind, but were aware of varietal, vintage and grape varietals for each wine. The winery names, bottle prices and growing regions were not disclosed to the judges.
Scott Zoccollilo, Director of Restaurants at Method Co., has been an instrumental contributor to this event since its inception. Zoccolillo says, “The 2024 PA Somm Judgement was the best so far. Having so many new faces take part of the event, all excited to see what Pennsylvania producers are offering was very motivating. The quality of the wines being produced in Pennsylvania continues to increase, and their wines stand side by side with any growing region, both domestically and abroad.”
The top 10 wines represented a diverse list of varietals from all over the state from many wineries we have featured on PA Eats like The Inn at Grace Winery for its 2023 Pinot Gris, Karamoor Estate Vineyard & Winery for its 2021 Merlot, Mural City Cellars for its 2023 Sauvignon Blanc, Penns Woods Winery for its 2021 Chambourcin Reserve, and Waltz Vineyards for its 2020 Baron Red. Other top 10 ranked wines include the 2021 Estate Merlot by Bella Terra Vineyards, 2020 Chambourcin by The Winery at Long Shot Farm and the 2020 Reisling by Mazza Wines.
And now, a huge congratulations to the winners of this year’s Sommelier Judgement:
- Best Sparkling: 2021 Blanc de Blanc, Binah Winery in Allentown
- Best White: 2023 Pinot Gris, The Inn at Grace Winery in Glen Mills
- Best Hybrid: 2021 Chambourcin Reserve, Penns Woods Winery in Chadds Ford
- Best Red: 2020 Cabernet Franc, Armstrong Valley Vineyard & Winery in Halifax
Thank you to the Pennsylvania Winery Association for its continued advocacy of our state’s fantastic wine, winemakers and wineries!
- Photos: East Folk Creative
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