NZ Success in the Old Ebbitt Wines for Oysters Pairing Competition
Each year at this time the Old Ebbitt Grill in Washington, DC conducts the Wines for Oysters Pairing Competition. And each year the results confirm how well New Zealand wines pair with food, and in this case, New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs with fresh-shucked oysters. There were 233 wines submitted from 13 countries. The distinguished panel of judges included wine experts Michael Franz, Paul Lukacs, Marguerite Thomas and others; chef Jose Andres; and US Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.
New Zealand took the top three places and four of the top ten, six of ten silver medals, and thirteen of nineteen bronze medals.
Grand Champion Wine, Jules Taylor 2011 Sauvignon Blanc
1st Runner Up Wine, Villa Maria Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc
2nd Runner Up Wine, Wither Hills 2010 Sauvignon Blanc
Gold Medal Wine, Nautilus 2010 Sauvignon Blanc.
The Gold Medal wines were featured at the Oyster Riot which will took place on Friday 18th and Saturday 19th Nov with 1,000 consumers paying $135 to attend each session.
This is further proof that any restaurant that sells fresh-shucked oysters needs to feature New Zealand wines with them.
Go the All Blacks! Go New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc!
David Strada
New Zealand Winegrowers Marketing Manager USA
San Francisco