A group of friends toasting with red wine glasses at dinner party
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The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) has announced the results of its 2025 Wine & Spirits Tasting Competition (WSTA). Four red wines made the final round. Three Best-in-Show wines automatically advanced to the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Below is a brief description of the four finalists, tasting notes, and their list price.
Querceto Chianti DOCG, 2022
The Querceto winery is in the heart of Tuscany’s Chianti Classico, a region renowned for producing some of the world’s best wines. The Querceto 2022 Chianti is crafted from primarily Sangiovese grapes, with a small proportion of other local varieties that add complexity and balance to the wine.
The wine opens with fresh aromas of red cherries, plum, and a touch of violet. It has a light earthiness, herbaceous hints of oregano and thyme, and subtle spices of cinnamon and cloves.
The wine is medium-bodied on the palate, with bright acidity and pronounced but ripe smooth tannins, which give the wine structure without overpowering the fruit. It features ripe fruit flavors of red berries, especially strawberry and cherry, and a subtle spiciness from the oak aging.
The finish is long, clean, and refreshing, with lingering red fruit and a touch of herbal complexity. It’s a well-balanced Chianti that pairs wonderfully with Italian dishes such as pasta, pizza, or grilled meats.
Castello di Querceto Chianti DOCG, 2019
Castello di Querceto was the Best in Show Chianti. The wine offers a more refined expression of Chianti, showcasing the depth and elegance that can be produced by extended aging.
The wine opens with an elegant bouquet of dark cherry, blackberry, and plum, with spice undertones of black pepper and cinnamon. A slight earthy character and subtle floral notes of violet round out the aromatic profile.
This Chianti is medium-bodied on the palate, with balanced acidity and pronounced but velvety tannins, providing structure without overwhelming the fruit. The wine features bright fruit flavors of red berries and dark cherries. The oak aging brings a touch of vanilla and smoky spice, while the Sangiovese backbone gives the wine a crisp, refreshing finish.
The finish is long and flavorful, with lingering flavors of black cherry, spice, and a touch of mineral freshness. It leaves a smooth and satisfying aftertaste.
View across the vineyards at the village of La Morra in the Piedmont region of Italy. The Nebbiolo grape variety is grown here and produces a distinctive full bodied red wine.
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Reva Nebbiolo D’Alba, DOC, 2019
The Reva Nebbiolo was the Best in Show Nebbiolo wine. The winery, based in Piedmont’s Langhe region, is famous for producing exceptional wines, particularly Nebbiolo. The Reva 2019 Nebbiolo is a prime example of this noble grape, showcasing the elegance and complexity that Nebbiolo is known for.
The wine is crafted using traditional methods, with fermentation and aging in oak barrels, which allow it to develop its full aromatic profile. The 2019 vintage represents a balance of fruit and structure, highlighting the unique characteristics of the Nebbiolo grape.
The nose is intense and complex, with aromas of red fruit, especially cherry, raspberry, and strawberry, along with floral notes of rose and violet. Subtle hints of tobacco, leather, and spice from oak aging add depth to the wine’s profile.
The wine is medium to full-bodied on the palate, with bright acidity and firm tannins. The fruit flavors are intense and concentrated, with cherry and plum at the forefront and spicy notes of cloves, licorice, and earthy flavors. The wine has a smooth mouthfeel, with the tannins providing structure while allowing the fruit to shine.
The finish is long and elegant, with lingering fruit, spice, and a hint of tobacco and leather. It leaves a refined aftertaste that is characteristic of Nebbiolo wines.
Traditional Chianti wine with salami, cheeses, olives, figs and peppers in out door picnic setting
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CoureRosso Sangiovese Blend, 2019
CoureRosso was the Best in Show Sangiovese Blend. The winery crafts wines highlighting the best of Tuscany’s indigenous grape varieties, focusing on Sangiovese. The 2019 Sangiovese Blend combines Sangiovese with other local varieties to create a well-balanced wine that expresses the best qualities of the region’s terroir.
The wine opens with aromas of ripe red fruit, particularly strawberry and raspberry, with hints of cherry and a touch of spice. There’s a subtle floral element, with notes of violet and a faint trace of herbal freshness, like oregano and thyme.
The wine is medium-bodied on the palate, with a balanced mix of red fruit flavors, including strawberry, cherry, and raspberry. It is well-structured, with soft tannins and a lively acidity that brings freshness to the wine. A hint of cinnamon spice and black pepper adds complexity to the fruit-driven profile.
The finish is smooth and clean, with lingering red berries and spice notes.
The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) is a leading trade organization representing wholesalers, distributors, and suppliers of wine, spirits, and related products in the United States. The WSWA’s Annual Wine and Spirits Competition brings together industry experts to recognize the best wines and spirits.
The 2025 competition, in conjunction with the Tasting Alliance (TA), showcased innovative and high-quality products. The panel of expert judges, supplied by TA and including sommeliers, mixologists, journalists, and industry professionals, brought their extensive knowledge and experience to the table, ensuring the credibility of the awards. These awards can significantly boost brand visibility and influence consumer choices.
These wines offer a fantastic range of Italian varietal expressions, each showcasing its unique character. Querceto 2022 Chianti provides a classic, balanced Chianti with fresh fruit and herbal notes, while its older sibling, the Castello di Querceto 2019 Chianti, brings depth, structure, and complexity with ripe fruit and spice. Reva 2019 Nebbiolo is a complex and elegant wine with red fruit, floral notes, and a tannin structure typical of Nebbiolo. CoureRosso 2019 Sangiovese Blend offers a fruit-forward yet structured wine, showcasing the versatility of Sangiovese in blends.
These wines are perfect for pairing with a range of Italian dishes, from pasta to grilled meats to cheese, and are ideal for enjoying with food or savoring on their own.
