Forgottonia White Wins Big
Winners were announced for the 2023 International Eastern Wine Competition which took place September 12-13 in Santa Rosa, CA. Spoon River Junction Winery, located in Canton, IL, entered their new Forgottonia White Vermouth winning a Double Gold medal with a score of 97, and both Best of Class and Best of Show for vermouths. Judges mentioned “Floral and herb notes. Excellent beautiful texture, pure on its own” and calling it “stunning.”
“People often think of vermouth as something only used in cocktails, but really it’s just a broad term for any grape wine that is stronger in alcohol and infused with herbs,” said winemaker and Forgottonia White creator Bradley Beam. “This one has intense notes of flowers, citrus, and honey, and they balance each other perfectly. The palate is sweet without being syrupy, and it has great body and a nice long finish.”
The competition began in 1975 and is the oldest wine competition still in operation. Forgottonia White beat out hundreds of entries from Central and South America, Europe, Africa, Mexico (mainland), Canada (except British Columbia), and 41 U.S. states. Winning wines from the International Eastern Wine Competition will go up against winners from the West Coast Wine Competition in the East Meets West Taste Off.
“The International Eastern Wine Competition has always been at the top of my list, as far as competitions go,” says Beam. “Since I started my journey with grapes and wine in the late 90’s, it’s been the one you want to be in, and it still has that level of prestige. To get any medal in this competition is a big deal, but to take a top award - truly unbelievable.”
Known for making creative wines including bourbon-barrel aged wines, an Illinois Rosé, and their famous, seasonal Cranberry Frost, the Forgottonia Vermouth just made its debut - the newest of 10 offerings from Spoon River Junction Winery. Says Beam “I like it best over ice with a splash of tonic or soda and garnished with a little orange peel, but it’s also fantastic all on its own. I’m really proud of the work all of our staff put in to make this wine so special. It’s a huge honor, and we couldn’t be more thrilled!”
Order your Forgottonia White here on the website or in our Tasting Room open Friday-Sunday!
Find more info on the competition at https://www.winecompetitions.com/east-meets-west-2023-results
