Latest news with #winecompetition
Forbes
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Virginia's Top Wines, According To The Governor's Cup Competition
Ripe juicy grape with glasses of red wine and white wine . getty The Virginia Governor's Cup Wine Competition is the state's premier wine judging event and one of the most rigorous regional wine competitions in the United States. Held annually, the competition selects the Governor's Cup Case, featuring the top 12 wines of the year. One standout wine earns the Governor's Cup, Virginia's highest wine honor. Below is a brief description and tasting notes on Virginia's top 12 wines of 2025. Barboursville, one of Virginia's iconic wineries, brings an Italian touch to the Monticello AVA. This vibrant Vermentino showcases their commitment to classic European varietals in Virginia's terroir and was the 2025 Virginia Wine Governors Cup winner. The wine has a bright straw hue, featuring aromas of lemon zest, white peach, and fresh herbs. On the palate, crisp acidity frames flavors of green apple, lime, and a hint of sea spray minerality. Clean and refreshing with a bright, zesty finish. Michael Shaps is renowned for Burgundy-inspired winemaking in Virginia. This single-vineyard Chardonnay highlights meticulous vineyard sourcing and French oak finesse. The wine is pale gold, featuring aromas of ripe pear, baked apple, and toasted brioche. The palate is rich yet balanced, showcasing layers of lemon curd, subtle butter, and a touch of flinty minerality. The finish is long and creamy, with bright acidity and lingering fruity notes. Potomac Point Winery, 2023 Albariño, 13% ABV. 750 ml. $39 Potomac Point crafts expressive, Mediterranean-style white wines. This Albariño, accented with Viognier, brings a juicy, aromatic twist to a classic Spanish varietal. The wine is pale straw-colored, showcasing notes of apricot, melon, and orange blossom. The palate showcases fresh peach, citrus zest, and a hint of honeysuckle. The finish is long with a brisk acidity and lingering fruity and floral notes. Valley Road Vineyards, 2023 Petit Manseng, 13.5% ABV, 750 ml. $30 Valley Road showcases Petit Manseng's bold, tropical character—the varietal is well-suited to Virginia's warm days and cool nights. The color is a rich golden yellow featuring intense tropical aromas of pineapple, mango, and honeycomb. It's lush on the palate, exhibiting flavors of candied citrus, dried apricot, and a hint of ginger spice, with a viscous texture and a zesty acidity. The finish is long with lingering fruity notes. A vineyard in Virginia's Piedmont region in Albemarle county, getty Veritas Winery, 2023 Monticello White, 13.2% ABV, 750 ml. $40 Veritas blends multiple varietals, including 50% Chardonnay, 22% Viognier, 17% Sauvignon Blanc, and 11% Petit Manseng, to create this versatile and aromatic white wine. It showcases the region's vibrant fruit and crisp freshness across four varietals that shine in Virginia. The wine is a pale straw, featuring a fragrant bouquet of pear, white flowers, and lemon verbena. It's light-bodied on the palate, showcasing notes of green apple, passion fruit, and a hint of honeysuckle. The finish is long, with brisk acidity and lingering fruit and floral notes. Winery at La Grange, 2023 Petit Manseng, Catherine's Vineyard, 13.6% ABV, 750 ml. $37 La Grange's Petit Manseng stands out for its balance of tropical fruit and naturally high acidity—an ideal match for Virginia's growing conditions. The color is brilliant gold, featuring aromas of pineapple, papaya, and honey. The wine is rich and slightly off-dry, featuring ripe tropical fruit, a touch of spice, and notable acidity. The finish is long, fresh, and lively with lingering citrus notes. Red and Sparkling Wines 50 West Vineyards, 2021 Aldie Heights Cuvée, 14.5% ABV, 750 ml. $70 This bold red blend reflects 50 West's focus on robust Bordeaux varietals. The wine showcases the strength and structure possible in Virginia Bordeaux blends. The wine is deep ruby, featuring aromas of blackberry, plum, and mocha. It's full-bodied on the palate, with firm, chewy tannins that express ripe black fruit, hints of black pepper, and tobacco. The well-integrated oak adds a touch of vanilla and spice. The finish is long with lingering notes of black fruit and a hint of spice. Barboursville Vineyards, 2017 Octagon, 13.5% ABV, 750 ml. $67 Octagon is Barboursville's flagship Bordeaux blend, named for the Jefferson-designed octagonal mansion ruin on the estate. Bordeaux blends have been a standout among Virginia's wine offerings and have become an icon of Virginia wine excellence. The wine is garnet with brick edges featuring a complex nose of black cherry, cassis, leather, and cedar. The palate is silky and structured, featuring ripe, well-ripened, polished tannins that showcase layers of plum, dark chocolate, damp earth, and dried herbs. The finish is long and elegant with lingering savory and fruity notes. DuCard Vineyards, 2023 Cabernet Franc Vintner's Reserve, 13% ABV, 750 ml. $61 DuCard emphasizes terroir-driven site expression and low-intervention winemaking. This reserve Cab Franc showcases the grape's spicy, bright personality in Virginia's Blue Ridge mountains. The wine is ruby colored, featuring aromas of red currant, dried herbs, and crushed peppercorn. The palate exhibits a brisk acidity and fine-grained tannins, showcasing red berry flavors and a subtle earthiness. The finish is long, with a brisk acidity and lingering herbal notes. Wine Glass with Red Wine in it With Grapes, Bread, and Cheese getty King Family Vineyards, 2021 Mountain Plains Red, 13.8% ABV, 750 ml. $85 One of King Family's signature blends, this Bordeaux-style red highlights the finesse of Crozet's foothill vineyards and precise, focused blending. The wine is a deep ruby, featuring a rich nose of black cherry, graphite, and baking spice. The palate features smooth tannins and balanced acidity, showcasing flavors of blackberry and plum, along with notes of cedar and espresso. The finish is long and polished, with lingering savory and fruity notes. Paradise Springs Winery, 2023 Cabernet Franc, Brown Bear Vineyard, Shenandoah Valley,14% ABV, 750 ml $43 Paradise Springs, one of Northern Virginia's standout producers, offers this single-vineyard Cabernet Franc showcasing varietal purity and site expression. The vineyard, situated on Little North Mountain, spans an elevation range of 1,100 to 1,540 feet above sea level. The wine is bright ruby, featuring aromas of raspberry, violet, and green peppercorn. The palate exhibits medium tannins and a hint of minerality, showcasing a core of fresh red fruit and delicate spice notes. The finish is long, crisp, and bright with lingering hints of herbal sage and subtle oak. Trump Winery, 2018 Sparkling Rosé, 12.5% ABV, 750 ml. $44 Trump Winery's sparkling program focuses on méthode traditionnelle techniques to produce crisp, elegant sparkling wines from classic Champagne varietals. The wine is a pale salmon pink, featuring aromas of wild strawberry, citrus peel, and brioche. On the palate, a fine mousse showcases flavors of red berries, white peach, and a hint of creaminess. The finish is crisp, dry, and elegant with a brisk and refreshing acidity. Virginia is one of America's most exciting wine regions. It's rapidly gaining a reputation for superlative, terroir-driven wines that showcase the region's diversity and adaptability. It particularly excels with Cabernet Franc and Bordeaux blends, as well as with cool-region whites like Petit Manseng and Viognier. If you love wine, you definitely should explore the best that Virginia has to offer. These top 12 wines from the Virginia Wine Governors Cup are an excellent place to start. More From Forbes Forbes The Top American Wines, According To The Decanter World Wine Awards By Joseph V Micallef Forbes The World's 50 Best Wines, According To The Decanter World Wine Awards By Joseph V Micallef
Malay Mail
09-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Castel Châteaux & Grands Crus Announces the Best Young Sommelier Competition – Asia Edition 2025 to showcase the talent of aspiring sommeliers across 10 regions in Asia
The Jury Panel for the Best Young Sommelier Competition by Castel Châteaux & Grands Crus – Asia Edition 2025 The Top 10 candidates competing in the semi-final and final rounds for the Best Young Sommelier Competition by Castel Châteaux & Grands Crus – Asia Edition 2025 HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM - Media OutReach Newswire - 9 May 2025 - Castel Châteaux & Grands Crus proudly announces the Best Young Sommelier Competition by Castel Châteaux & Grands Crus – Asia Edition 2025, a landmark event designed to cultivate and celebrate the next generation of sommeliers talent throughout Asia. This prestigious competition will serve as a crucial stepping stone for candidates, preparing them for future success on both local and international stages. This year, Vietnam will have the honor of hosting the competition, welcoming aspiring sommeliers from numerous regions, including China, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, to nurturing the next generation of wine professionals, the competition provides a platform for young sommeliers aged 18 to 30 to demonstrate their expertise and passion. Candidates will progress through three rigorous stages: preliminary selection, semi-finals, and finals. This year competition is particularly honored to have a distinguished judging panel of 8 renowned wine experts presiding over the semi-finals and preliminary selection round has successfully concluded across regions in March and April, indentifiying the top 10 young talents who will be representing their nations in the semi-final and final rounds, taking place in Vietnam from May 20th to 21st, 2025, at Mai House hotel in Ho Chi Minh preliminary round was notably supported by the esteemed local sommelier associations: the Hong Kong Sommelier Association the Sommelier Association of Malaysia , the Sommelier Association of Singapore , the Taiwan Sommelier Association and the Indonesia Sommelier Association , to organize the selections in their respective May 20th, the semi-finalists will participate in a private event featuring a thorough written examination and educational workshops to assess and elevate their knowledge and skills. The top three performers will proceed to the public final on May 21st. This final round will be a dynamic public showcase where finalists will demonstrate their expertise through live performances judged on wine region knowledge, sensory analysis, food pairing, and service winner will receive a special prize package: a five-day immersive experience in Bordeaux, exploring the prestigious Castel Châteaux & Grands Crus estates; a Château Montlabert gift box; and a bottle of Château Beychevelle. The winning association will also be awarded a case of Castel wines and an exclusive online masterclass."We are thrilled to host the Best Young Sommelier Competition – Asia Edition 2025, bringing together talented young sommeliers from across the region" stated Mrs. Stephanie Voy, APAC Senior Marketing Manager at Castel Châteaux & Grands Crus. "This initiative underscores our commitment to fostering strong connections within the Asian sommelier community and empowering the next generation of wine professionals. We aim to provide an enriching and unforgettable experience, offering valuable knowledge, insights into Bordeaux wines, and unparalleled networking opportunities for the candidates."Hashtag: #BestYoungSommelier The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About Castel Châteaux & Grand Crus Castel's Family Estates have traditionally been based in the Bordeaux region, although the family have made acquisitions in 3 other major French winemaking areas: the Loire, the Languedoc and Provence. This means that the family can offer a range of red, white, and rosé wines built around 11 AOCs and 1 PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) area. This collection is made up with more than 60 exclusive wines from the 20 Family Estates. These Great Wines' standards are extremely high, inspired and upheld by the family's commitment to excellence. Teams of experts are constantly at work to ensure that the products capture the quintessence of each one of these terroirs, hand-picked by the Castel family. One of the fundamental values close to the heart of the business as a whole is the preservation of the terroirs, reflected in Castel Estates and Vineyards' growing commitment to sustainability. To date, 1000 hectares of vineyard are either Terra Vitis accredited or certified organic. For more information about Castel Châteaux & Grand Crus, please visit: or About Apron Fine Wines & Spirits and Celliers d'Asie Vietnam Red Apron Fine Wines & Spirits and Celliers d'Asie Vietnam proudly serve as the official platinum sponsors for the competition, demonstrating their shared commitment to empowering the next generation of sommelier talent across Asia. Red Apron Fine Wines and Spirits is a leading wine company in Vietnam, offers over 3,000 wine and spirit selections, including renowned brands, estates, and chateaux, along with premium accessories. With 16 stores nationwide, they consistently aim to provide the finest wine experiences. Celliers d'Asie Vietnam is a leading wine importer and distributor in Vietnam and serves as the direct supplier for Red Apron Fine Wines & Spirits. Their sophisticated selection and premium accessories make them a comprehensive resource for wine enthusiasts, contributing to Vietnam's evolving wine culture. About Lucaris Lucaris is a world-renowned premium crystal glassware brand produced in Thailand, joining this year's competition as the official glassware sponsor. With world class quality and design, inspired by modern Asian cities lifestyle, Lucaris evokes the wining senses, enabling the wine to develop its full aromas and tastes, and creates an emerging paradigm in the art of pairing wines with modern Asian Cuisine. About KadeKa As the official wine chiller sponsor for the competition, KadeKa represents quality and innovation in wine preservation. Established in 1998, KadeKa revolutionized Singapore's wine chiller industry by introducing the first-ever 30-bottle wine chiller, catering to the evolving needs of a burgeoning wine-drinking community. With continual effort, KadeKa expands its product line, aiming for seamless home integration and an elevated lifestyle.
Zawya
09-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Castel Châteaux & Grands Crus Announces the Best Young Sommelier Competition – Asia Edition 2025 to showcase the talent of aspiring sommeliers across 10 regions in Asia
HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM - Media OutReach Newswire - 9 May 2025 - Castel Châteaux & Grands Crus proudly announces the Best Young Sommelier Competition by Castel Châteaux & Grands Crus – Asia Edition 2025, a landmark event designed to cultivate and celebrate the next generation of sommeliers talent throughout Asia. This prestigious competition will serve as a crucial stepping stone for candidates, preparing them for future success on both local and international stages. This year, Vietnam will have the honor of hosting the competition, welcoming aspiring sommeliers from numerous regions, including China, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam. Nurturing The Future of The Sommelier Community Dedicated to nurturing the next generation of wine professionals, the competition provides a platform for young sommeliers aged 18 to 30 to demonstrate their expertise and passion. Candidates will progress through three rigorous stages: preliminary selection, semi-finals, and finals. This year competition is particularly honored to have a distinguished judging panel of 8 renowned wine experts presiding over the semi-finals and finals. Competition Timeline and Structure The preliminary selection round has successfully concluded across regions in March and April, indentifiying the top 10 young talents who will be representing their nations in the semi-final and final rounds, taking place in Vietnam from May 20th to 21st, 2025, at Mai House hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. The preliminary round was notably supported by the esteemed local sommelier associations: the Hong Kong Sommelier Association, the Sommelier Association of Malaysia, the Sommelier Association of Singapore, the Taiwan Sommelier Association and the Indonesia Sommelier Association, to organize the selections in their respective regions. On May 20th, the semi-finalists will participate in a private event featuring a thorough written examination and educational workshops to assess and elevate their knowledge and skills. The top three performers will proceed to the public final on May 21st. This final round will be a dynamic public showcase where finalists will demonstrate their expertise through live performances judged on wine region knowledge, sensory analysis, food pairing, and service technique. The winner will receive a special prize package: a five-day immersive experience in Bordeaux, exploring the prestigious Castel Châteaux & Grands Crus estates; a Château Montlabert gift box; and a bottle of Château Beychevelle. The winning association will also be awarded a case of Castel wines and an exclusive online masterclass. A Commitment to the Asian Sommelier Community "We are thrilled to host the Best Young Sommelier Competition – Asia Edition 2025, bringing together talented young sommeliers from across the region" stated Mrs. Stephanie Voy, APAC Senior Marketing Manager at Castel Châteaux & Grands Crus. "This initiative underscores our commitment to fostering strong connections within the Asian sommelier community and empowering the next generation of wine professionals. We aim to provide an enriching and unforgettable experience, offering valuable knowledge, insights into Bordeaux wines, and unparalleled networking opportunities for the candidates."Hashtag: #BestYoungSommelier The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About Castel Châteaux & Grand Crus Castel's Family Estates have traditionally been based in the Bordeaux region, although the family have made acquisitions in 3 other major French winemaking areas: the Loire, the Languedoc and Provence. This means that the family can offer a range of red, white, and rosé wines built around 11 AOCs and 1 PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) area. This collection is made up with more than 60 exclusive wines from the 20 Family Estates. These Great Wines' standards are extremely high, inspired and upheld by the family's commitment to excellence. Teams of experts are constantly at work to ensure that the products capture the quintessence of each one of these terroirs, hand-picked by the Castel family. One of the fundamental values close to the heart of the business as a whole is the preservation of the terroirs, reflected in Castel Estates and Vineyards' growing commitment to sustainability. To date, 1000 hectares of vineyard are either Terra Vitis accredited or certified organic. For more information about Castel Châteaux & Grand Crus, please visit: or About Apron Fine Wines & Spirits and Celliers d'Asie Vietnam Red Apron Fine Wines & Spirits and Celliers d'Asie Vietnam proudly serve as the official platinum sponsors for the competition, demonstrating their shared commitment to empowering the next generation of sommelier talent across Asia. Red Apron Fine Wines and Spirits is a leading wine company in Vietnam, offers over 3,000 wine and spirit selections, including renowned brands, estates, and chateaux, along with premium accessories. With 16 stores nationwide, they consistently aim to provide the finest wine experiences. Celliers d'Asie Vietnam is a leading wine importer and distributor in Vietnam and serves as the direct supplier for Red Apron Fine Wines & Spirits. Their sophisticated selection and premium accessories make them a comprehensive resource for wine enthusiasts, contributing to Vietnam's evolving wine culture. About Lucaris Lucaris is a world-renowned premium crystal glassware brand produced in Thailand, joining this year's competition as the official glassware sponsor. With world class quality and design, inspired by modern Asian cities lifestyle, Lucaris evokes the wining senses, enabling the wine to develop its full aromas and tastes, and creates an emerging paradigm in the art of pairing wines with modern Asian Cuisine. About KadeKa As the official wine chiller sponsor for the competition, KadeKa represents quality and innovation in wine preservation. Established in 1998, KadeKa revolutionized Singapore's wine chiller industry by introducing the first-ever 30-bottle wine chiller, catering to the evolving needs of a burgeoning wine-drinking community. With continual effort, KadeKa expands its product line, aiming for seamless home integration and an elevated lifestyle. Castel Châteaux & Grands Crus
