Health & Fitness
Ramona wines stomp the French!
Friday the 13th proved to be a magical number and evening for Ramona wine-makers, who swept the judges, people and French wines off their feet, with Ramona winning in every category, a clean-sweep.
Friday the 13th proved to be a magical number and evening for Ramona! Around 200 folks turned out at the wine bar, Fifty-Seven Degrees, where a panel of French and American judges, and the public, judged three local Ramona wines (selected by RVVA president John York),against three French wines, selected by the event partner, Alliance Francaise representative, John Alonge (wine heretic), in a tasting contest. The event was loosely based on the infamous 1976 France/America Wine Challenge (if you’ve not yet seen “Bottle Shock” I
highly recommend renting it!) Several local winemakers dressed up and
van-pooled down – a great idea in the pouring rain, with Susanne (Grant James
Vineyard) saying the excitement and anticipation made it “feel like prom
night!”
With Ramona well represented by three established vintners, a panel of American and French judges conducted a double-blind tasting; comparing three Ramona wines, against three French wines, while we, the public, tasted and voted for our favorite between each pair, and sampled great food. I was so proud to watch people try Ramona wines, hearing how great the Ramona wines were, and even prouder when as each contest winner was announced, it was Ramona, in a clean sweep of the event!
The official judging was done in accordance with American Wine Society rules and
guidelines. John Alonge (representing France) and John York (representing Ramona)presided as the stewards and assured everything was done according to the plan. The French wineries that we competed against have been making wine for several generations, with the smallest present making over 80,000 cases per year….we don’t make that much wine in all of Ramona (yet…)..
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The judges include:
Lum Eisenman – winemaker, author, teacher, and mentor
Find out what's happening in Ramonawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Lisa Redwine - sommeiler for The Shores Restaurant
Michele Malecot - chef and owner of the French Gourmet
Katie Grebow - chef of the Cafe' Chloe
Lindsey Pomeroy - owner of WineSmarties
Jeremy Manley - chef of Jeremy's on the Hill
The winning wines representing Ramona were a 2010 Sauvignon Blanc created by Jim Hart at Milagro Farm Vineyards and Winery; Steve and Marilyn Kahle’s Woof’n
Rose’s 2009 Cabernet Franc, with Beth and Victor Edwards of Edwards Vineyards and Cellars presenting their 2005 Syrah, which beat the 90-point French wine! In addition to the Ramona wines winning each category, Woof’n Rose’s 2009 Cabernet Franc also won the both the “Judges and People’s Choice awards.” Upon hearing the great news, Laurie from Ramona’s Turtle Rock Ridge Vineyard and Winery commented,“what a well-deserved win for two amazing people who continually share their wine-making experience and vineyard knowledge with the rest of us.”
Way to go Ramona!
