dwightthewinedoctor: November 2014

Best of the Best 2014-Double Gold Medal Winners from the San Francisco International Wine Competition

NEW YORK- Tasting Panel magazine used the private dining rooms of Madison Square Park's eponymous SD26 restaurant to present its Double Gold Wine Competition and 2014 Spirits Competition winners from the prestigious 34th annual San Francisco International Wine Competition. Founded by famed wine expert, author and founder Anthony Dias Blue, the event is a showcase for some unexpected inductees into this now-hallowed category.

This year's competition was the largest ever, with 4,569 entrants from 26 states and 31 countries. Portfolio of the year was captured by Trinchero Family Estates of St. Helena, California in the heart of the famed Napa Valley. The Tasting Panel Magazine Winerry of the Year was awarded to Maryhill Winery of Goldendale, Washington, and The Andre Tchelistcheff Winemaker of the Year award went to Cinzia Merlie of Le Macchiole winery of Bolgheri, Italy. The Wide World of Wine was truly represented in this year's award winners!

D Roy with Silvercoin Tequila
Below: Katie Kozlowski Redemption Rye

Dwight Casimere with Nigel Avery, CEO Sileni Estates USA Inc. of St. Paul, MN

Lina Lenox-Prestige Wine and Spirits Group

Below: Dwight Casimere with Tasting Panel founder Anthony Dias Blue

34th Wine Spectator New York Wine Experience is Super Bowl for Wine Lovers

Event is a prelude to the unveiling of Wine Spectator list of Top 100 Wines of 2014

New York--Wine lovers call it the Super Bowl of Wine; the 34th Wine Spectator New York Wine Experience at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square. the Grand Tastings are a prelude to the announcement of the Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of 2014. A sold out gathering of wine connoisseurs sampled wines rated 90 points or better, poured by the winemakers themselves. Offerings came from around the world. All of the money raised goes to the Wine Spectator Scholarship Fund, which funds culinary and wine programs around the country.

The Wine Spectator has released its Top 100 list since 1988. This year, editors selected wines from among 18,000 tasted in 2014. The selections are prioritized according to quality, availability and value. The top 100 were determined from a field of 5,400 wines that rated as outstanding, 90 points or higher.

At the top of impressive list, which was dominated by European wines, was a port, Dow's Vintage Port 2011 ($82) from Douro, Portugal, which scored 99 out of 100 points. Two other Portuguese wines cracked the Top 10; Prats and Symington Douro River Valley ($55) at 97 points was No. 3, and Quinta Do Vale Maeo Douro ($76) garnered 97 points for number 4. The number 2 spot went to an Aussie, Mollydooker McLaren Vale Shiraz "Carnival of Love" 2012 ($75) at 97 points and another Australian wine, 2011 Leeuwin Chardonnay Margaret River Art Series ($89) with 96 points for number 5.

France, which is the world's top wine producer, came into the top 100 with two wines, the 2012 Clos des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape ($135), at 97 points, at number 7, and the classic Chateau Leoville Las Cases 2011 ($165) from Bordeaux to round out the top list at number 10.

Wine Spectator is the world's leading wine authority with more than 3 million readers worldwide. Here are some scenes from the Grand Tasting in Times Square.

Below: Dwight Casimere with Matteo Lunelli-CEO Ferrari, Trentino, Italy

The Year's Best Party: New York City Wine and Food Festival

Culinary extravaganza fights childhood hunger

Story and photo gallery by Dwght Casimere

New York--"In the wealthiest country in the world, there's no reason why any child should go hungry." That bold declaration was made by Lee Brian Schrager, Founder of the New York City Wine and Food Festival, the premiere culinary event in the country. He was addressing the Founder's and Sponsors Breakfast at the Hudson Hotel on the morning of the start of the nation's largest wine and food extravaganza. Featuring demonstrations from celebrity chef stars of The Food Network, such as Marcus Samuelsson and Bobby Flay and tasting led by the editors of Wine Spectator magazine, proceeds from the weekend-long extravaganza make a significant dent in the hunger problem. "Every dime that is raised at this festival goes to benefit the fight against childhood hunger. Thanks for that effort goes in large part to our sponsors who support us year after year," Schrager confirmed.

Among the festivals featured events was rachel Ray's 7th annual Boue Moon Burger Bash with celebrity chef Marc Murphy taking home the prize of Best Burger of the year for his unique Lamb-Marc burger made with spiced lamb meat and mint chimichurri oon a Martin's Famous Potato Roll. He was the winner among a field of 32 contenders.

The Grand Tasting presented by Shop Rite, featured Kitchen Aide Culinary Demonstrations presented by MasterCard.