Spirits & Wine Award Winners, Top Scoring Products, Beverage Industry Trends and Best Wine and Spirits Lists

Although the same grape variety, Pinot Gris is a more aromatic incarnation of its more popular twin, Pinot Grigio. Known for its refreshing minerality and expressive fruit and floral characteristics, it makes a wine that is well suited for pairing with intricate meals just as much as casual drinking on its own. While it is best known from colder European regions like Alsace and Germany, the 2018 Chairman's Trophy winner, Balletto Vineyards Pinot Gris, comes from the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County, California. This United States wine scored an impressive 95 Points.

Eastern Europe has been making high quality wine for longer than its better known Western European neighbors. Because of tumultuous political borders and social turmoil, many of the regions were not able to focus on commercial winemaking and promotion until relatively recently. Luckily, many of the traditional winemaking techniques as well as grape varieties are alive and well and being passed down to younger generations.

Rosé is a category of wine that continues to grow with all wine drinkers. Loved for its freshness, versatility, and range of styles, any occasion pairs well with rosé. From four different countries and offering a visually stunning range of pink hues, our top scoring rosés in 2018 scored between 91 and 95 Points. 

Moet & Chandon Grand Vintage 2009 Champagne is 2018's Chairman's Trophy winner for the Champagne category. This offering from the iconic Champagne house is a benchmark example of what vintage Champagne should be, garnering an impressive 96 Points and an Ultimate Recommendation, as well a Tried & True Award for consistent quality year after year.