2021 American Fine Wine Competition – Texas Results

The American Fine Wine Competition is pleased to announce the results of “The Invitational,” the new name of its flagship competition for U.S. wines invited by the acquisition team. This year marks the 14th of this competition and the first year of the “All Americas” competition for wines submitted from North and South America. Both competitions took place on Memorial Day weekend this year, delayed since January for the pandemic lockdown. The third of three AFWC competitions held annually, THE Rosé, was held on June 18th.

The Invitational took place May 29 – 31 at the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University, Biscayne Bay Campus. More than 550 wines from 125 wineries vied for top honors at this INVITATION-only event. The Judging – conducted by a 28-member blue ribbon panel from across the wine industry, included educators, restaurateurs, retailers, journalists, and top sommeliers from across the country.

Co-founder and President Shari Gherman said, “At AFWC, we look for the very best wines the country has to offer, and so they must be vetted before being invited. Our acquisition team of wine professionals spends a great deal of time several months each year visiting with winemakers and vintners, and tasting numerous wines from across the USA, identifying wineries they deem to be crafting the best wines in North America to invite to this competition. This year was challenging since the country was pretty much shut down. But with some creativity we persevered, and as one can see by the results, we found stunning wines yet again.”

Greg Miseyko, Chief Judge and Judging Coordinator attributes the depth of quality to “the cumulative success of our selection process, but more importantly to the expertise of U.S. winemakers who keep lifting the state of the art, along with wonderful recent vintages, fires and all. We only invite wines we think would win Gold medals at similar competitions.”

“Our four-team judging panels evaluate, describe, debate and assign medals and scores. Our Judges take their time and really care about getting it right,” observed Miseyko. Wines earn Gold, Silver, or Bronze medals and “Double Gold” honors when every judge agrees the wine deserves Gold. Points from a 100-point scale are also awarded. Miseyko added, “We want to direct the public to America’s finest wines.”

Remember, “Quality wines can happen at many price levels.”

Becker Vineyards was the only Texas winery at the 2021 “The Invitational” wine competition.

Winery	Wine	AVA	Category	Vintage	Score	Retail	Medal
Becker Vineyards	Wilmeth Vineyard	Texas	Cabernet Sauvignon	2017	86	$40	Silver
Becker Vineyards	Chevaux Noir	Texas High Plains	Red Bordeaux Style Blends	2016	95	$40	Double Gold
Becker Vineyards		Texas Hill Country	Petite Sirah	2018	90	$40	Gold
Becker Vineyards		Texas High Plains	Viognier	2018	91	$22	Gold

The other competition, The Rosé, took place June 18th, 2021, in South Florida. Over 150 wines were evaluated and judged by a 16-member judging panel of wine industry educators, journalists, and sommeliers.

These are the Texas winery results for The Rosé:

Winery	Variety	AVA	Category	Vintage	Retail	Medal
Becker Vineyards	Tempranillo 96%, Syrah 2%, and Grenache 2%	Texas	Dry Rosé	2019	$20	Silver
Float Wines	65% Cinsault, 22% Carignan, 13% Grenache	Texas High Plains	Dry Rosé	2019	$22	Silver
Juniper Cove Winery	Carignan	Texas High Plains	Dry Rosé	NV	$25	Silver