A total of 635 of America’s finest wines were invited to participate in the 5th annual American Fine Wine Competition recently held at the Boca Raton Country Club.  The arduous task of selecting the very “best of the best” wines, fell to a panel of 24 distinguished judges.  After two days of judging, the prestigious Best of Show and Best of Class honors were unveiled.

The Best of Show medals were awarded to two California wines – 2009 Il Passito, a late harvest dessert wine from Castello di Amorosa in Napa Valley and 2009 Manchester Ridge Pinot Noir from La Follette Wines in Mendocino County, California.

Best of Class medals were awarded to 12 wines in various categories:

  • Bordeaux Style Blend: 2007 “Miktos” Merriam Vineyards, Sonoma
  • Cabernet Franc: 2007  Reserve-Peju Province Winery, Rutherford
  • Cabernet Sauvignon: 2009  Reserve-Daou Vineyards, Paso Robles
  • Chardonnay: 2009  Mumm Napa, Carneros
  • Merlot: 2008  Rocca Family Vineyards, Yountville
  • Port: 10-year-old “Noble Companion” Tawny, Prager Winery & Port Works
  • Rhone Style Blend: 2009  ”Hell’s Kitchen” Jada Vineyard & Winery, Paso Robles
  • Riesling: 2010  ”Golden Bunches” Ferrante Winery, Grand River Valley, Ohio
  • Sauvignon Blanc: 2010  Ledson Winery & Vineyards, Napa Valley
  • Sparkling Wine: 2005  Mumm Napa DVX, Napa Valley
  • Syrah: 2008  Sol Rouge, Lake Country
  • Zinfandel: 2009  ”Gluttony” Michael David Winery, Amador County

The wine competition itself is the heart of this unique wine and food celebration and fundraiser sponsored by Patriot National Insurance Group. The AFWC will continue with a VIP event at Allied Kitchen & Bath in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday, March 8 ($25 donation to the Dan Marino Foundation), and a Consumer Challenge & Fundraiser ($35 per person with a portion going to the Youth Automotive Training Center) on Thursday, March 22 at Bogart’s restaurant in Boca Raton.

Events will conclude with the highly-anticipated Gala Dinner, Thursday, April 19 with famed chef Emeril Lagasse. The Gala Dinner will feature all of the wines entered into the competition – poured for guests tableside by their very own “Wine Angel”-  served along with a four-course dinner; the main course prepared by Emeril himself. It will also feature a silent auction, live entertainment and a live auction overseen by Alan Kalter, announcer for Late Night with David Letterman. The Gala Dinner will be held at the Boca Raton Resort & Club, located at 501 East Camino Real. Tickets are currently available for $300 per person. To purchase tickets or for more information please call (561) 504-VINE (8463) or visit www.americanfinewinecompetition.com