The Oregon wine industry made its mark among preeminent wine influencers this year at the TEXSOM International Wine Awards (TIWA). The producers of the annual TEXSOM conference, considered by many to be the most influential wine trade education conference in the U.S., are the force behind TEXSOM IWA.
Entries were blind-tasted and judged by 66 internationally renowned tastemakers from five countries, including 16 Master Sommeliers, 17 Masters of Wine and other category experts. Of these entries, the judges awarded 2,233 medals: 258 Gold medals (8% of total entries), 859 Silver medals (26%), and 1,116 Bronze medals (34%). Suggested retail pricing of medal-winning entries ranged from $2.99 to more than $700. Submitted vintages spanned eight decades, with the oldest white from 1991.
Oregon saw an impressive increase in winery participation and award-winning wines in 2019. Some highlights include:
- Award-winning Oregon wines increased 13% from 150 in 2018 to 170 in 2019
- The rare gold medal was awarded to 10 Oregon wines (only 258 total given out)
- 14 Oregon AVAs were represented by awarded wines
- Awards were given to Oregon wines made from Pinot noir and 16 other varieties
AVAs represented: Eola-Amity Hills, Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, Yamhill-Carlton, Ribbon Ridge, McMinnville, Chehalem Mountains, Applegate Valley, Umpqua Valley, Rogue Valley, Southern Oregon, Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Gorge, Oregon
Varieties Represented: Pinot gris, Pinot noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, Grüner Veltliner, Grenache, Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gewurztraminer, Touriga Nacional, Pinot blanc, Tempranillo, Malbec, Viognier, Auxerrois, Vermentino, Semillon, Sauvignon blanc