2011 New York World Spirits Competition: THE RESULTS!

2011 Spirit Competition Results (By Brand)

Gold Medal Balcones Brimstone, US

Double Gold Medal-- Best Whisk(e)y-- Best Brown Spirit Balcones Single Malt, US

Silver Medal Balcones True Blue (Cask Strength), US

Gold Medal-- Bes White Spirit Balvarte Blanco Tequila, Mexico

Silver Medal Balvarte Espicial Reposado Tequila, Mexico

Silver Medal Bama Vodka

Silver Medal Barsol "Mosto Verde-Italia" Pisco, Peru

Bronze Medal Bartlett Apple Brandy, US

Bronze Medal Bartlett Pear Eau-De-Vie, US

Bronze Medal Black Beard Spiced Rum

Silver Medal Blanton Single Barrel Bourbon, US

Bronze Medal Breckenridge Bourbon, US

Silver Medal Cask & Cream Chocolate Temptation California, US

Bronze Medal Cask & Cream Original Temptation California, US

Silver Medal Chinaco Anejo, Mexico

Silver Medal Chopin Potato Vodka Polomos Sledlce, Poland

Bronze Medal Cirrus Vodka, US

Silver Medal Colorado Premium Vodka, US

Silver Medal Cooranbong Vodka, Australia

Silver Medal Crav Vodka, US

Gold Medal Crop Organic Artisanal Vodka, US

Gold Medal-- Best Flavored Vodka Crop Organic Cucumber Vodka, US

Bronze Medal Cruzan Aged Dark Rum

Gold Medal Cruzan Single Barrel Rum

Silver Medal Cuestion Tequila Anejo, Mexico

Bronze Medal Cupcake Vodka Citrus

Gold Medal Cupcake Vodka Devil's Food

Gold Medal-- Best Vodka Cupcake Vodka Original

Bronze Medal Cupcake Vodka Vanilla Frosting

Silver Medal Dancing Pines Distillery Brulee Colorado, US

Silver Medal Don Q Gran Anejo, Pueto Rico

Bronze Medal Don Q Passion Fruit, Pueto Rico

Silver Medal Don Q Anejo, Pueto Rico

Bronze Medal Don Q Cristal, Pueto Rico

Bronze Medal Downslope Distilling Spiced Rum, US

Gold Medal Dry Fly Gin, US

Silver Medal Dry Fly Vodka, US

Silver Medal Dry Fly Washington Wheat Whiskey, US

Bronze Medal E& J Distillers VS Brandy, US

Silver Medal E& J Distillers XO Brandy, US

Gold Medal-- Best Rum English Harbor Rum, Antigua

Gold Medal Faretti Biscotti Chocolate Liqueur, Italy

Double Gold Medal Faretti Biscotti Liqueur, Italy

Double Gold Medal Few White Whisky, US

Bronze Medal Kra-ze Vodka & Four Berry Liqueur, US (Other Misc Spirits)

Double Gold Medal Kra-ze Vodka & Four Berry Liqueur, US (Fruit Liqueur)

Silver Medal Kra-ze Vodka & Lemon-Lime Liqueur, US (Other Misc Spirits)

Bronze Medal Kra-ze Vodka & Lemon-Lime Liqueur, US (Flavored Vodka)

Silver Medal Kra-ze Vodka & Lemon-Lime Liqueur, US (Fruit Liqueur)

Bronze Medal Little Black Dress Black Cherry Vanilla Vodka, US

Bronze Medal Little Black Dress Original Vodka, US

Bronze Medal Little Black Dress Pineapple Honey Vodka, US

Gold Medal Lucky Dog Vodka, US

Double Gold Medal-- Best Other Liqueur-- Best Liqueur Luxardo Amaretto, Italy

Silver Medal Luxardo Cherry Liqueur, Italy

Double Gold Medal-- Best Fruit Liqueur Luxardo Triplum (Triple-Sec), Italy

Gold Medal Mama Vodka, Denmark

Silver Medal Montoya Distillers Oro, US

Bronze Medal Montoya Distillers Platino, US

Bronze Medal New Amsterdam Gin, US

Gold Medal -- Best Gin NO 3. London Dry Gin, UK

Silver Medal Old New Orleans Rum Amber, US

Silver Medal Old New Orleans Rum Cajun Spice, US

Bronze Medal Old New Orleans Rum Crystal, US

Bronze Meal Paul Masson Grande Amber Brandy VSOP, US

Silver Medal Plantation Vodka, US

Gold Medal Premier Soul Brazilian Premium Cachaca, Brazil

Bronze Medal Reve Vodka, US

Bronze Medal Ridge Distillery Extrait D'Absinthe Verte, US

Silver Medal Tamborine Mountain Distillery Cherry Liqueur

Silver Medal Tamborine Mountain Distillery Jaffa Liqueur Mandarins and Chocolate

Bronze Medal The King's Ginger, UK

Silver Medal Vesica Vodka, Poland

Silver Medal Zacbe Joven, Mexico

Silver Medal Zacbe Reposado, Mexico

2011 New York World Wine Competition: THE RESULTS!

2011 Wine Competition Results (By Winery)

Bronze Medal Almaras Memento 2008, Grenada, Spain

Bronze Medal Almaraes, Spain

Bronze Medal Ballatore NV Rosso Spumante, California, USA

Double Gold Medal—Best Sparkling Wine Ballatore NV Gran Spumante, California, USA

Bronze Medal Barefoot Bubbly NV Rosé Cuvée, California, USA

Bronze Medal Barefoot Bubbly NV Pinot Grigio Champagne, California USA

Silver Medal Barefoot Bubbly NV Moscato Spumante, California, USA

Gold Medal Barefoot Cellars NV Pinot Grigio, American, USA

Silver Medal Barefoot Cellars NV Chardonnay, California, USA

Bronze Medal Barefoot Cellars NV Merlot, California, USA

Bronze Medal Barefoot Cellars NV Zinfandel, Lodi, USA

Silver Medal Barefoot Cellars NV Shriaz, California, USA

Bronze Medal Barefoot Cellars NV Cabernet Sauvignon, California, USA

Silver Medal Barefoot Cellars NV Riesling, California, USA

Silver Medal Barefoot Cellars NV Sauvignon Blanc, California, USA

Bronze Medal Barefoot Cellars NV Moscato, California, USA

Bronze Medal Barefoot Cellars NV Sweet Red, California, USA

Bronze Medal Bella Sera 2009 Pinot Grigio, IGTV, Italy

Bronze Medal Bella Sera 2009 Chianti, DOCG, Italy

Gold Medal Black Swan 2010 Chardonnay, SE Australia

Bronze Medal Black Swan 2010 Pinot Grigio, SE Australia

Bronze Medal Black Swan 2010 Moscato, SE Australia

Bronze Medal Black Swan 2010 Riesling, SE Australia

Bronze Medal Black Swan 2010 Shiraz, SE Australia

Silver Medal Black Swan 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, SE Australia

Silver Medal Bodega Elena de Mendoza 2009 Malbec, Mendoza

Bronze Medal Bodega Elena de Mendoza 2009 Chardonnay, Mendoza

Bronze Medal Bodegas Montalvo Wilmot 2009 Syrah, Spain

Bronze Medal Bodegas Montalvo Wilmot 2008 Tempranillo Cabernet, Spain

Bronze Medal Campo Marin 2010 Young Red, D.D. Carinena, Spain

Silver Medal Campo Marin 2007 Crianza, D.D. Carinena, Spain

Silver Medal Campo Marin 2005 Reserva, D.D. Carinena, Spain

Bronze Medal Campo Marin Gran Reserva, D.D. Carinena, Spain

Bronze Medal Campo Marin Baron de Lajovosa 2001 Gran Reserva, D.D. Carinena, Spain

Bronze Medal Castello Banfi 2007 Chianti Classico, Riserva, DOCG, Italy

Silver Medal Castello Banfi 2009 Rosso di Montalcino, DOCG, Italy

Silver Medal Castello Banfi 2008 Belnero, Proprietors Reserve, Toscana IGT, Italy

Bronze Medal Castello Banfi 2010 Pinot Grigio, San Angelo, Toscana IGT, Italy

Bronze Medal Castello Banfi 2008 Rosso, Centine, Toscana, Italy

Gold Medal Castello Banfi 2009 Chianti Superiore, Toscana, Italy

Bronze Medal Castello Banfi 2009 Chianti Classico, DOCG, Italy

Gold Medal – Best Cabernet Sauvignon Charles Krug- Peter Mondavi Family 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, USA

Bronze Medal Charles Krug- Peter Mondavi Family 2008 Merlot, Napa Valley, USA

Bronze Medal Charles Krug- Peter Mondavi Family 2009 Chardonnay, Carneros, Napa Valley, USA

Double Gold Medal—Best Pinot Noir—Best Red Wine Charles Krug- Peter Mondavi Family 2009 Pinot Noir, Carneros, Napa Valley, USA

Silver Medal Charles Krug- Peter Mondavi Family 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Vintage Selection, Napa Valley, USA

Double Gold Medal Charles Krug- Peter Mondavi Family 2008 Generations, Napa Valley, USA

Double Gold Medal—Best Dry White Wine Cheteau Ste Michelle 2009 Riesling, Eroica, Columbia Valley, Washington, USA

Bronze Medal Cheteau Ste Michelle 2010 Dry Riesling, Columbia Valley, Washington, USA

Silver Medal Cheteau Ste Michelle 2010 Riesling, Cold Creek Vineyard, Columbia Valley, Washington, USA

Silver Medal Cheteau Ste Michelle 2009 Chardonnay, Canoe Ridge Estate, Horse Heaven, Washington, USA

Silver Medal Cheteau Ste Michelle 2008 Merlot, Canoe Ridge Estate, Horse Heaven, Washington, USA

Double Gold Medal—Best White Wine Cheteau Ste Michelle 2008 Late Harvest Riesling, Ethos Reserve, Columbia Valley, Washington, USA

Gold Medal Cheteau Ste Michelle 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Ethos, Columbia Valley, Washington, USA

Gold Medal Cheteau Ste Michelle 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Cold Creek Vineyard, Columbia Valley, Washington, USA

Bronze Medal Cheteau Ste Michelle 2007 Meritage, Artist Series, Columbia Valley, Washington, USA

Bronze Medal Chateau Tanunda 2008 Shiraz, Grand Barossa, Barossa, Australia

Silver Medal Chateau Tanunda 2010 Riesling, Grand Barossa, Barossa, Australia

Bronze Medal Cecchi 2008 Chianti Classico, Italy

Bronze Medal Cecchi 2009 Bonizio, Sangiovese di Maremma, Toscana IGT, Italy

Silver Medal Columbia Crest Winery 2007 Merlot, Grand Estates, Columbia Valley, Washington, USA

Bronze Medal Columbia Crest Winery 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Grand Estates, Columbia Valley, Washington, USA

Double Gold Medal – Best Bordeaux Columbia Crest Winery 2008 Amitage, Grand Estates, Columbia Valley, Washington, USA

Gold Medal Columbia Crest Winery 2009 Chardonnay, Grand Estates, Columbia Valley, Washington, USA

Silver Medal Concha Y Toro Casillero del Diablo 2010 Carmenere, Reserva, Chile

Gold Medal—Best Chardonnay Coyole Moon Vineyards 2009 Chardonnay, Naked, USA

Bronze Medal Coyole Moon Vineyards 2010 Biranna, USA

Bronze Medal Coyole Moon Vineyards 2010 River Time, USA

Bronze Medal Coyole Moon Vineyards FRONTENAC, Twisted Sister, USA

Bronze Medal Coyole Moon Vineyards Fire Boat Red, USA

Gold Medal – Best Rose Coyole Moon Vineyards River Run, USA

Bronze Medal Domaine Ste. Michelle NV Brut, Columbia Valley, Washington, USA

Bronze Medal Domaine Ste. Michelle NV Blanc de Blancs, Columbia Valley, Washington, USA

Bronze Medal NV Domaine Ste. Michelle Blanc de Noirs, Columbia Valley, Washington, USA

Bronze Medal Domain Lauriga Merlot, Taj Mahal, Pilocene Hills, Italy

Bronze Medal Dos 2 Estacas Melbec

Bronze Medal Emiliana 2008 Coyam, Chilie

Bronze Medal Emiliana 2010 Chardonnay, Natura, Casablanca Valley, Chilie

Bronze Medal Gallo Family Vineyards NV Sweet Red, California, USA

Silver Medal Gallo Family Vineyards NV Chardonnay, California, USA

Bronze Medal Gallo Family Vineyards NV Merlot, California, USA

Silver Medal Gallo Family Vineyards NV Sweet Chardonnay, California, USA

Silver Medal Gilberts 10 Year Old Porto, Portugal

Silver Medal Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards 2010 Semi Dry Riesling, Fingerlakes, USA

Silver Medal Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards 2008 Cabernet Franc, Fingerlakes, USA

Silver Medal Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards 2010 Chardonnay, Fingerlakes, USA

Silver Medal Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards 2009 Gewürztraminer, Fingerlakes, USA

Silver Medal Kooksoondang Brewery 2011 Draft Makkoli, Gangwon-Do, South Korea

Silver Medal Martha Clara Vineyards 2010 Viognier, North Folk of Long Island, USA

Bronze Medal Martha Clara Vineyards 2010 Estate Riesling Reserve, North Folk of Long Island, USA

Silver Medal Maschio Prosecco Brut, Treviso DOC, Italy

Bronze Medal Maschio Cadoro Moscato Spumante, Italy

Bronze Medal Mencal 2010, Grenada, Spain

Bronze Medal Merritt Estate Winery Bella Ice, Lake Erie, New York, USA

Silver Medal Milbrook Vineyards 2007 Cabernet Franc, Proprietors Special Reserve, Hudson River Region, USA

Gold Medal Milbrook Vineyards 2009 Chardonnay, Proprietors Special Reserve, Hudson River Region, USA

Bronze Medal Red Rock Winery 2009 Merlot, Reserve, California, USA

Silver Medal Red Rock Winery 2009 Pinot Noir, California, USA

Silver Medal Red Rock Winery 2009 Malbec, California, USA

Bronze Medal Riunite Moscato, Movendo, Puglia, Italy

Bronze Medal Sherwood House Vineyards 2007 Cabernet Franc, North Fork of Long Island, USA

Bronze Medal Sherwood House Vineyards 2006 Sherwood Manor, North Fork of Long Island, USA

Silver Medal Sherwood House Vineyards 2009 Chardonnay, Oregon Road, North Fork of Long Island, USA

Bronze Medal Stag's Leap Wine Cellars 2008 Chardonnay, Karia, Napa Valley, USA

Bronze Medal Toffo 2010 Valpolicella, Italy

Gold Medal Trivento Malbec, Reserve

Bronze Medal Trivento 2010 Torrentes, Reserve

Silver Medal Turning Leaf Vineyards 2009 Chardonnay, California, USA

Bronze Medal Turning Leaf Vineyards 2010 Pinot Grigio, California, USA

Silver Medal Turning Leaf Vineyards 2010 Sweet Riesling, California, USA

Bronze Medal Turning Leaf Vineyards 2009 Merlot, California, USA

Silver Medal Turning Leaf Vineyards 2009 Pinot Noir, California, USA

Silver Medal Turning Leaf Vineyards 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, California, USA

Bronze Medal Ty Ku Sake Black, Japan

Gold Medal Ty Ku Sake Silver, Japan

Silver Medal Vertijana 3 2008, Grenada, Spain

Silver Medal Villa Maria Estate 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, Cellar Selection, Marlborough, New Zealand

Bronze Medal Vinicola Decordi 2010 Sangue di Giuda, Urban Taj, Lombardy, Italy

Gold Medal Vigne Regali Rosa Regale 2010 Branchetto, d'Acqui DOCG, Italy

Bronze Medal Wild Fox 2008 Shiraz, South Australia

Silver Medal Wild Fox 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, South Australia

Taste of the Upper West Side

The last weekend before Memorial day is shaping up to be a weekend of tasty treats around Columbus avenue. It’s the fourth annual Whole Foods Market New Taste of the Upper West Side. Spanning May 20th and 21st, the event showcases some of the best culinary talents from the neighborhood. Friday launches the weekend with the Singha Beer Comfort Classics, which showcases 35 chefs reinvigorating comfort foods. Saturday features VIP events that honor Dana Corwin, the Editor in Chief of Food & Wine Magazine. All in all, over 80 of New York’s best chefs will be cooking in several events, including John Faraser of Dovetail, Ed Brown of Ed’s Chowder House, and Daniel Boulud. For more information, and to purchase tickets, visit NewTasteUWS.com. This is a great way to taste your way through New York.

A lot of matzoh

This year, Passover begins April 19th. And I can tell you, I’m already daydreaming about all the treats to be had. To prep for the holiday, be sure to pick up the new 5 pound bag of matzoh available from Kosher foods provider Osem. It’s a whole wheat matzoh that is delicious, and comes in a stay-fresh pouch that will help keep its contents crisp for the whole 7 days. If you also want your matzoh to come with a mitzvah, be sure to pick up the 5 pound package. This year, $2 from each 5lb matzoh purchase will be donated to the Jewish National Fund, to plant trees in the recently fire-ravaged Mount Carmel region. For more information, visit osemUSA.com.

Bar hopping in Brooklyn

Not only has the restaurant scene come alive in Brooklyn, but the bar scene is thriving as well. Here are a couple to check out: DRAM at 177 South 4th Street in the Williamsburg section. This very popular bar offer an excellent list of creative cocktails such as the Lafayette Buck, Behind God’s Back and Thieves Like Us. All contain at least six ingredients and cost $9 – reasonable in this day of $15 cocktails. SYCAMORE is located at 1118 Cortelyou Road in Ditmas Park. It is an interesting combination – a flower shop by day and a swinging bar at night. The bar is good and a little dive-y and downstairs you can sip your drink and listen to live jazz. The ambiance is funky but friendly. It’s nice to know that Brooklynites will never go thirsty.

David Chang comes to midtown

MA PECHE is the Momofuko founder's first venture uptown. The space - formerly TOWN - is odd to begin with: a windowless basement that feels like eating in an empty swimming pool. The food at lunch is similar to the downtown grub - just a bit more self-conscious. Summer rolls with pork are fresh and crunchy and given interest by a smooth peanut sauce. Pork ribs in a sweet, sticky sauce are terrific - meaty, tender and gooey delicious. Banh mi chicken with greens on a baguette is a nice fusion sandwich. Sun chokes and tongue is interesting but gnarly. The service style is minimalist. If you want dessert go upstairs and buy it at the counter. Although it doesn’t quite hit the mark, MA PECHE is worth a visit to experience David Chang’s quirky style.

Brooklyn eats

Ditmas Park is an up-and-coming neighborhood in the far reaches of Brooklyn. There is a very good restaurant there called THE FARM ON ADDERLEY. Located at 1108 Cortelyou Road, this charming place specializes in locally obtained organic foods. There’s a friendly bar and, ready for spring, a cozy garden. The food is quite skillful and the prices, for both food and wine, are very reasonable. Try the grilled squid with olives or the Jerusalem artichoke soup with apples to start. For main courses there is tender roasted Amish chicken with braised cabbage, grilled char with potatoes and leeks, lovely pan-roasted skate in brown butter, and an excellent farm burger served on an English muffin. THE FARM ON ADDERLEY is open from breakfast, lunch and dinner and it’s definitely worth a trip to Ditmas Park.

Travel by Taste

I’ve travelled across the world and back, and one of the best ways to remember a trip is by focusing on regional food. One of the best ways to get some Americana in your diet is to visit Foods Across America.com. An online specialty food retailer, this is one-stop shopping for some of the best regional treats our country has to offer. In the mood for a Nawleans treat? Café Du Monde sells their famous chicory coffee, as well as beignet mix. Maryland crab cakes are fresh to order, and even Key Lime Pie is available to ship. Transplanted New Yorkers in LA are sure to love seeing Fox’s U-Bet Chocolate syrup, to recreate vintage egg creams and sodas. Price and selection varies, so be sure to keep checking Foods Across America.com - your tastebuds will be well traveled.

The wearing of the green

Today is March 17, a day when all of us feel just a wee bit Irish. St. Patrick’s Day is a holiday not just for those of Irish heritage, but for anyone who has ever seen a leprechaun, picked a four-leaf clover, danced a jig, or read a story by James Joyce. This day of celebration falls on a Thursday this year . . . ah, the luck of the Irish! Most of us will be celebrating in our favorite drinking establishments. But be sure to stay safe while you’re enjoying the festivities. Designate a non-Irish driver – if you can find one. If not, take a cab. Or maybe you’re lucky enough to have an Irish pub just around the corner. In any case, have a safe, happy St. Patrick’s Day.

Radical Greens

A few decades ago, you’d be hard pressed to find more than one leafy option for your salad in chain grocers. Luckily, times have changed, and I’m happy to report that greens are going radical—and I highly suggest moving outside of your comfort zone in color, too. Red radicchio is a great addition to your salad repertoire. Now that sweater season is leaving us, radicchio is a great way to add some variation to your diet. Radicchio has a bright and bitter taste that, when added to salad blends, is a nice accompaniment to juicy iceberg or fresh spinach. Temper it with a light vinaigrette for a fresh and summery staple, or even sautée it in olive oil to add atop a grilled flatbread pizza. Just give radicchio a try. You’ll be glad you did.