Results from the Sept. 6 Gold Medal Mini-Tasting are in. With 10 wines evaluated by 160 people across 10 host sites, the results show a clear hierarchy among the wines. The ratings, which were tallied to determine a total score, highlight several standout performers. The 2023 Petit Verdot by ZD Wines emerged as the undisputed champion, accumulating the highest total score of 111 total points with seven of the 10 sites ranking this wine in their Top 3. The Malbec from Lucas & Lewellen scored the 2nd highest points with a total of 101 with six of the 10 sites placing this wine in the top three. This was followed by a Cabernet Sauvignon by Honig, which scored 81 points, with four sites ranking this wine in the Top 3. The Sauzao, from Lewis Grace is a wine varietal with Portuguese origins that was rated the 4th highest scoring wine, with four sites scoring it very high offset by four sites that scored it very low.
As one would expect from this Gold Medal Tasting, where nine of the 10 wines were rated as Double Gold, each of the 10 wines were rated in the top three when looking across the 10 host sites. In fact, five of the 10 wines received votes for being a No. 1 choice, and seven of the wines received second place votes. Of the 10 wines, nine were scored as a No. 3 choice. These results support the common notion that great wine is what you like.
I hope everyone enjoyed the selection of wines for the event, and look for the article on the next Mini Tasting scheduled for Nov. 15.
–Don Mayer, OCWS Mini-Tasting Chair
CHEFS OF THE EVENING
| Chef | Dish |
| Maia Pehrson | Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms |
| Ann Jay | Ashkenazi |
| MaryDee Kienstra | Egyptian Barley Salad |
| Joe Barrett | Smoked Salmon Appetizer |
| Cherrl Baker | Veggie & Cheese Enchiladas |
| Alexandra Chebil | Blue Fin Tuna |
| Dan Martinez | Lasagna |
| Shelley Cohen | Chicken Parmesan |
| Mark Prendergast | Ratatouille |
| Jim Burk | Cassoulet, Bean Stew with Pork, Sausage, and Duck |