18
ultimate beverage challenge
2012
guide to the world’s BEST SPIRITS, COCKTAILS &WINE
W
e all know the sinking feeling of walk-
ing into a wine merchant and being
confronted with hundreds, often thousands
of wine choices. The world of wine is the
most complex of all beverage alcohol seg-
ments in terms of the number of wine prod-
ucts available and the wide variety from
many regions in many countries.
Ultimate Wine Challenge exists to cut
through the rhetoric, the advertising and
the clutter so astute buying choices can
be made by anyone, no matter their level
of wine acumen.
Ultimate Wine Challenge occurs once
each year when the world’s leading author-
ities, including Masters of Wine, somme-
liers, authors and journalists, come
together to methodically assess the
latest releases of wines from around
the world. Using New York City’s
ideal setting, Astor Center, Ultimate
Wine Challenge judges painstakingly
examine hundreds of wines to assess their
quality and price/value ratios. Multiple
panels sample each wine entry to gain an
accurate and fair evaluation.
This collection of data, with easy-to-un-
derstand scores on the 100-point scale and
tasting notes, provides for consumers
all the pertinent information they
require to make informed and
money-saving wine selections in
wine stores. Gone are the days
of wine intimidation. Gone are the
days of fumbling yourway through aisles
of wines without knowing where to begin.
Ultimate Wine Challenge takes the
mystery and anguish out of buying wine
by supplying everyone with the most
accurate results available today.
Ultimate Wine Challenge 2012
Champagne/Sparkling
Champagne, France
Award
Score Product Name
Accolade
PRICE GV
Chairman's Trophy
94
Moet & Chandon Imperial Brut NV Epernay (France)
Excellent, Highly
Recommended
$45.00
Finalist
91
Gosset Champagne Brut Grand Blanc de Blancs Chardonnay NV Champagne (France)
Excellent, Highly
Recommended
$100.00
Champagne/Sparkling
World
Award
Score Product Name/ Accolade
Accolade
PRICE GV
Chairman's Trophy
94
Domaine Carneros Brut Rosé 2008 Carneros, Napa (United States)
Excellent, Highly
Recommended
$36.00
Finalist
93
Chateau Frank Blanc de Noirs Sparkling Wine 2006 Finger Lakes (United States)
Excellent, Highly
Recommended
$29.99
Finalist
92
Gloria Ferrer Brut Sparkling Wine NV Sonoma County (United States)
Excellent, Highly
Recommended
$20.00
Finalist
91
Domaine Carneros by Taittinger Brut Methode Champenoise 2008 California (United States)
Excellent, Highly
Recommended
$26.00
Finalist
91
Mionetto Il Lambrusco Lambrusco NV Veneto, IGT (Italy)
Excellent, Highly
Recommended
$9.99
90
Vinkara Ya asın Kalecik Karası 2009 Southern Anatolia (Turkey)
Excellent, Highly
Recommended
€ 23.40
White Wines
Chardonnay, World
Award
Score Product Name/ Accolade
Accolade
PRICE GV
Chairman's Trophy
94
Quails' Gate Stewart Family Reserve Chardonnay 2010 Okanagan Valley (Canada)
Excellent, Highly
Recommended
$24.00
Finalist
92
Davis Bynum Chardonnay 2010 Russian River Valley (United States)
Excellent, Highly
Recommended
$25.00
Finalist
92
J. Lohr October Night Chardonnay 2010 Arroyo Seco/Monterey (United States)
Excellent, Highly
Recommended
$25.00
Finalist
92
Wild Horse Winery & Vineyards Chardonnay 2010 Central Coast (United States)
Excellent, Highly
Recommended
$16.99
Finalist
91
Alexander Valley Vineyards Estate Chardonnay 2010 Alexander Valley (United States)
Excellent, Highly
Recommended
$18.00
Finalist
91
Buena Vista Winery Chardonnay 2009 Carneros (United States)
Excellent, Highly
Recommended
$19.00
