Zinfandel is a full bodied wine with layers of spice and rich black fruit. 2018’s Ultimate Wine Challenge Chairman’s Trophy winner in the zinfandel category, Gallo Signature Series Zinfandel 2015 Dry Creek Valley, is from California, where the warmer climate plays to the naturally robust character of the grape.
Pisco is an unaged grape brandy made in Chile and Peru. 8 different varieties of grapes are used and include some aromatic varieties like moscatel and torontel, which make fruitier end products. Ultimate Spirit Challenge 2018’s Chairman’s Trophy winner with 95 Points in the Pisco category was Caravedo Puro Torontel Pisco from Peru made from the aromatic torontel grape.
Fortified wines continue to be underappreciated considering how value driven and downright delicious they can be. One of 2018’s fortified wine entries to Ultimate Wine Challenge with a high score of 94 Points was Claque-Pepin Pommeau de Normandie.
The heritage of this beloved beverage dates back to 1872 in the Graves region of Bordeaux France. It was the only wine aperitif of the region blended with fruit macerations, at that time called Kina Lillet. The name Lillet comes from the ancestors of the merchants who came to the area in the 1600s.