St. James Winery “Grand Champion” at Pacific Rim Competition
Midwest wineries have been winning medals at California wine competitions with such regularity that it’s hardly surprising any longer. However, the way St. James Winery in Missouri dominated the recent Pacific Rim competition in Southern California is truly remarkable.
The Pacific Rim judges selected St. James Winery’s Friendship School White wine as its Grand Champion, besting approximately 1,200 other wines entered to be named top wine at the 29th annual competition, a two day event held April 23-24 in San Bernardino, California.
Friendship White is a blend of Cayuga and Vidal with about 4% residual sugar. Cayuga is a hybrid grape developed by Cornell University and Vidal blanc is a French hybrid developed during the ‘30’s.
In addition to Grand Champion, St. James Winery won four other Gold / Best of Class awards at Pacific Rim for Moscato, Riesling, Friendship School Red, and Strawberry. St. James Winery Peach wine also received a gold medal, and six other wines received silver or bronze medals.
Also taking Grand Champion honors was Ohio’s DeBonne Vineyards for their 2013 vidal Blanc Ice Wine.
According the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council, the following Michigan wineries won Best of Class awards at the Pacific Rim Competition:
Blustone Vineyards 2013 Pinot Blanc, Boathouse Vineyards 2012 Pinot Noir, Bowers Harbor Vineyards 2012 Block II Riesling, Brys Estate 2012 Cabernet Franc and 2012 Gewurztraminer, Forty-five North 2013 Unoaked Chardonnay,Leelanau Cellars 2012 Baco Noir, St. Julian Sweet Nancie, Tabor Hill 2011 Cabernet Franc and 2012 Gewurztraminer, and Verterra 2013 Pinot Noir Rose.