{"id":14875,"date":"2017-12-12T09:42:32","date_gmt":"2017-12-12T14:42:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/winetrailtraveler.com\/blog\/?p=14875"},"modified":"2018-01-02T15:05:47","modified_gmt":"2018-01-02T20:05:47","slug":"2017-maryland-governors-cup-award-event","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/winetrailtraveler.com\/blog\/2017\/12\/12\/2017-maryland-governors-cup-award-event\/","title":{"rendered":"2017 Maryland Governor\u2019s Cup Award Event"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>

2017 Maryland Wine Governor\u2019s Cup Awards<\/p><\/div>\n

Yesterday, Kathy and I attended the awards event for the 29th Annual 2017 Maryland Wine Governor\u2019s Cup Awards<\/a>. The awards were handed out by Maryland\u2019s First Lady, Yumi Hogan<\/a> at the Old Maryland Grill<\/a>, across from the University of Maryland\u2019s main campus in College Park. The First Lady talked about the growing number of wineries in Maryland and the importance of wine tourism in the state. She commented, \u201cI\u2019m pretty good at tasting too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Governor\u2019s Cup was awarded to Cool Ridge Vineyard for their 2015 Cool Red showing Yumi Hogan, Al Spoler, and Gerhard and Suzanne Glocker of Cool Ridge Vineyard.<\/p><\/div>\n

This year\u2019s Governor\u2019s Cup was awarded to Cool Ridge Vineyard for their 2015 Cool Red. A recent new award, The Jack Allen Cup is awarded to the best fruit wine, cider or mead. Great Shoals Winery 2016 Hard Plum won this award.<\/p>\n

Best in Class awards were handed out to several of the state\u2019s over 70 wineries.
\nBest Sparkling: Turkey Point Vineyard \u2022 Elk Neck Bubbly 2016
\nBest White: Boordy Vineyards \u2022 Pinot Gris 2016
\nBest White Blend: Cool Ridge Vineyard \u2022 Cool White 2016
\nBest Ros\u00e9: Crow Vineyard & Winery \u2022 Barbera Ros\u00e9 2016
\nBest Red: Big Cork Vineyard \u2022 Cabernet Franc 2015
\nBest Red Blend: Cool Ridge Vineyard \u2022 Cool Red 2015
\nBest Sweet: Dove Valley Winery \u2022 Mr. Bentley\u2019s Choice 2014
\nBest Dessert: Black Ankle Vineyards \u2022 Terra Sol 2016
\nBest Cider: Willow Oaks \u2022 Gloaming NV
\nBest Fruit: Great Shoals Winery \u2022 Hard Plum 2016<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Old Maryland Grill’s wall of Maryland wines<\/p><\/div>\n

The Governor\u2019s Cup, Jack Allen Cup and Best in Class awards were handed out by Yumi Hogan and Al Spoler of WYPR, co-host of \u201cCellar Notes.\u201d After the awards were given, wines that won these awards were available for tasting. Accompanying the tasting were appetizers prepared by Old Maryland Grill. The restaurant is in the newly opened The Hotel at the University of Maryland<\/a>. Restaurant owner Mike Franklin spoke to the assembled group and said that he decided to focus on Maryland cuisine and Maryland wine, beer and spirits. Along one wall of the restaurant, there are wine bottles from Maryland wineries. This wall of Maryland wine is unique in the state\u2019s restaurants.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

The 2017 Governor’s Cup Award Cool Ridge Red<\/p><\/div>\n

We tasted a few of the wines. The Governor\u2019s Cup winner, Cool Ridge Vineyard 2015 Cool Red was a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon 45%, Cabernet Franc 20%, Merlot 20% and Petit Verdot 15%. The wine had a translucent ruby color. Black fruits were noticed on the aroma. The taste included cassis, blackberries, leather, licorice and an earthiness. The medium\/full bodied wine had medium\/bold tannins. The finish was a blend of fruit and oak.<\/p>\n

The Jack Allen Cup was awarded to Great Shoals Winery 2016 Hard Plum. The wine had a plum aroma and taste. It had some effervescence and a very pleasant aftertaste.<\/p>\n

If you have not had a chance to visit these Maryland wineries, winter time is an excellent time to visit. Meanwhile, search for these Maryland wines for your holiday meals.<\/p>\n

Cheers,
\nTerry<\/p>\n