Pennsylvania’s reputation as a wine-making state has come a long way in the past decade or so, a fact further evidenced by the results of this year’s PA Sommelier Judgement. This event, a blind tasting of nearly 100 PA wines from 25 wineries by a panel of 23 of the region’s top wine experts, was held on April 29, 2019, at Talula’s Garden in Philadelphia.
“The PA Sommelier Judgment is both a valuable marketing and educational opportunity for the wineries to receive feedback from the tasting panel, which can shape production, pricing and positioning for future vintages. It’s also a chance for the participating sommeliers to discover local producers for their programs,” explained Jennifer Eckinger, executive director of the Pennsylvania Winery Association.
Now in its third year, the PA Sommelier Judgment only considers vinifera wines produced in the state using grapes grown in the state. Over the course of two tasting rounds by the panel, the top wines, which are covered to obscure any information or identification, are unwrapped to reveal the results. In 2019, of the top 10 scoring wines, there were a few distinct varietal highlights: Albariño, Carmine, Saperavi, Teroldego, Rieslings, Cabernet Franc and Rosé. The range and quality of these wines demonstrate the evolution, imagination and ambition of Pennsylvania’s wine producers.
The Top Wines of the 2019 PA Sommelier Judgment (listed in alphabetical order):
- Chaddsford Winery 2017 Cabernet Franc (Chadds Ford, PA)
- Fero Vineyards & Winery 2017 Saperavi (Lewisburg, PA)
- Fero Vineyards & Winery NV 1812 (Red Blend) (Lewisburg, PA)
- Flickerwood Wine Cellars 2017 Riesling (Kane, PA)
- Galen Glen Winery 2018 Riesling (Andreas, PA)
- Galen Glen Winery 2018 Cabernet Franc, Stone Cellars (Andreas, PA)
- Galer Estate Vineyard & Winery 2018 Rosé (Kennett Square, PA)
- Maple Springs Vineyard 2018 Albariño (Bechtelsville, PA)
- Mazza Vineyards 2017 Teroldego (North East, PA)
- Vynecrest Vineyards & Winery 2016 #39 (Red Blend) (Breinigsville, PA)
- Wayvine Winery 2016 Carmine (Nottingham, PA)
Honorable Mention Wines of the 2019 PA Sommelier Judgment (listed in alphabetical order):
- Galen Glen Winery 2017 Grüner Veltliner (Andreas, PA)
- Grace Winery 2017 Dragonfly (Red Blend) (Glen Mills, PA)
- Grace Winery 2017 Pinot Gris (Glen Mills, PA)
- Grandview Vineyards 2016 Merlot (Mount Joy, PA)
- Karamoor Estate Winery 2015 Cabernet Franc (Fort Washington, PA)
- Karamoor Estate Winery 2016 Chardonnay (Fort Washington, PA)
- Mount Nittany Vineyard & Winery 2017 Cabernet Franc (Centre Hall, PA)
- Mount Nittany Vineyard & Winery 2018 Rosé (Centre Hall, PA)
- Penns Woods Winery 2018 Rosé (Chadds Ford, PA)
- Presque Isle Wine Cellars 2018 Grüner Veltliner (North East, PA)
- Shade Mountain Winery 2016 Lemberger (Middleburg, PA)
- Stony Run Winery 2017 Brut Sparkling Wine (Kempton, PA)
- Stony Run Winery 2017 Viognier (Kempton, PA)
- Tolino Vineyards 2017 Cabernet Franc (Bangor, PA)
Alexandra Cherniavsky, beverage manager for The Love in Philly, as well as the new Pennsylvania Wines Ambassador, says of the 2019 PA Sommelier Judgment: “There are so many wines to love in this lineup. Red wines did better than they ever have in this tasting and some of the whites were true showstoppers. There was one wine, in particular, that made it to round two that had the sommeliers stopping in their tracks. I was excited to see so many styles of Riesling show up in the competition, as well. There was a dry example, one with just a touch of sugar, and a fully sweet one, all scoring in the top 26 — literally a Pennsylvania Riesling for every palate!”
Alexandra Cherniavsky, Beverage Manager for The Love, and the new Pennsylvania Wines Ambassador
In October, during Pennsylvania Wine Month, the awards for Best in State, Best Red and Best White will be announced! Keep an eye out to see which PA wineries take home the top awards, and, this spring and summer, enjoy exploring all that Pennsylvania wines have to offer.
- Photos: Ted Nghiem courtesy of Pennsylvania Wines
