The London Wine Competition (LWC) has announced the results of the 2022 judging. According to the LWC, “this is a competition where wines are judged based on their suitability for end consumers.” The wines are rated across three main criteria: quality, value and packaging. To win a medal, wines must score a top rating in each of the three categories, although the score for quality is given disproportionate weight. ...These wines won the Best Wines by Country award: United States - Silverado Vineyards Mt. George Vineyard Merlot 2018 ...

...Organisers say that the 2022 London Wine Competition saw one of the most heated judging processes yet. Finally, the judges did come together to pick the crème de la crème of these contesting wines. Best Wines by Country award winners: Australia – Gralyn Estate Artizan Rare Muscat Italy – Le Bastìe Rosso 2012 Portugal – Vila Jardim Selection 2020 Spain – La Pujada Vieilles Vignes 2015 France – Besserat de Bellefon Reserve Collection 1990 United States – Silverado Vineyards Mt. George Vineyard Merlot 2018 Georgia – Mukuzani 2018 Moldova – Late Harvest Rhein Riesling 2017 South Africa – Piekenierskloof Bergendal Chenin Blanc 2020 Romania – Cuvée Uberland 2020 ...

Silverado Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon “Solo” 2018 (Stags Leap District, Napa Valley) - Founded in 1981 on the west side of the Silverado Trail, this estate has been among the most consistent of all Cabernet Sauvignon producers in Napa Valley, yet rarely gets the attention of many of its neighbors. Bright, deep ruby red; aromas of black plum, black raspberry and a hint of cocoa powder. Medium-full with a rich mid-palate offering beautifully ripe black currant and black cherry fruit, backed by very good acidity, medium-full tannins that are well-rounded. The wood notes are beautifully integrated and there is excellent persistence. Beautiful overall harmony, classic varietal purity and typicity and a wine of excellent structure. This should drink well for another 12-15 years, and could peak a few years after that. (95) ...

2021 Borreo Sangiovese Rosa, Napa Valley, California $28 Rosé is a year-round sipper in my house and this unique California version is one to seek out. Made by the team at Napa’s famed Silverado Vineyards, the Borreo line is a tribute to Felix Borreo, an Italian immigrant who in 1888 planted grapes and olives at his property in Napa. The Miller family of Silverado purchased the site in 1992. The stylish label was designed by Walt Disney’s great-granddaughter, Annabelle Rey Miller—a fourth-generation winery owner. This wine is made from the Italian grape variety Sangiovese, lending a rich spiciness to the already juicy yet dry, fruit-forward pink. Pour it alongside brunch dishes from egg casserole to smoked salmon or piquant fare from fiery burritos to Thai curry. ...

The Fish Friendly Farming Certification Program has enrolled over 200,000 acres of farmland in California including the majority of vineyards in Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino counties ...

The reason wine from Napa Valley has been touted as world-famous isn’t because of the people who make them — it's because of the widely diverse range of soil types sitting beneath the surface. In our little 30-by-five-mile valley, half of the world’s soil orders are represented, with more than 100 variations spread across the agricultural areas. A result of volcanic activity over the last 150 million years, the valley regions soak up sediment from the alluvial fans pouring off the hillsides, with the mountaintops creating a rocky environment to foster highly-concentrated and stressed out grapes. At Silverado Vineyards, which has nine varietals planted across six different vineyard locations, their team of vintners also geek out when it comes to the sexy topic of soil. Russ Weis, president of Silverado Vineyards, is a sort of subject matter expert on the topic, and is pleased that the brand can source grapes from so many different types of vineyards. “Volcanic eruption, erosion and flood events created the tossed salads that resulted in complex layers of soils that are found at different sites all over our Napa vineyards,” said Weis. “If we are talking about our soil structure in our vineyards, it is mostly granitic.” ...