The Pacific Coast Oyster Wine Competition has come to a close and the winning wines have been announced. The annual month-long event is described as a "dating service" and seeks to find the Pacific Coast wines most complimentary to the flavor of the region's oysters. Judges chew a kumamoto oyster while taking a sip of the wine and rate it based on the bliss factor--how well the wine compliments the oyster without overpowering. As competition founder Jon Rowley says, "It's more about the oyster than the wine."
Congratulations to all ten winners of the Oyster Awards, and especially to Washington's own Cadaretta, Chateau Ste. Michelle and Hogue wineries for bringing the bliss!
Brassfield Estate Winery 2009 Sauvignon Blanc (CA)
Cadaretta 2010 SBS (WA)
Chateau Ste. Michelle 2009 Columbia Valley Sauvignon Blanc (WA)
Hogue Cellars 2009 Pinot Grigio (WA)
King Estate Signature Collection 2009 Pinot Gris (OR)
Kunde Family Estate 2010 Sauvignon Blanc (CA)
Pine Ridge Vineyards 2010 Chenin Blanc + Viognier (CA)
Robledo Family Winery 2009 Sauvignon Blanc (CA)
Three Pears 2010 Pinot Grigio (CA)
Van Duzer Vineyards 2010 Estate Pinot Gris (OR)
The Pacific Coast Oyster Wine Competition is sponsored by Taylor Shellfish Farms. Be sure to read more about the judging and the history of the event in Ashley Gartland's story from our March/April 2011 issue, "The Bliss Factor: on the hunt for oyster wines."
