Joe Fiola, Principal Agent and Extension specialist in viticulture and small fruits
Image Credit: Edwin Remsberg
Wines produced by University of Maryland Extension experts and made from grapes grown at the university’s research and education centers proved popular during a recent national competition. Nine Extension wines were entered in the 2014 American Wine Society Amateur Wine Competition held October 28 – 30 in Concord, North Carolina. University of Maryland wines received five bronze medals, three silver medals and one “Double Gold” – the highest honor awarded by the judges. The competition is exclusively for winemakers who produce wines that are not for sale. Dr. Joseph Fiola, Principal Agent and Extension specialist in viticulture and small fruits, made the wines submitted in the competition.
The College of AGNR’s viticulture (grape growing) and enology (winemaking) research and Extension program works with existing vineyard and winery owners to increase production and improve the quality of wine throughout the state of Maryland. Fiola works to expand the wine industry in Maryland by educating new vineyard owners, testing new and imported varieties of grapes, and exploring cultural practices and health benefits of winemaking.
The award-winning wines listed below were made from grapes grown at both the Western Maryland Research and Education Center (WMREC) in Keedysville, Md. as well as the Wye Research and Education Center (WREC) in Queenstown, Md.
University of Maryland Extension wines entered in 2014 American Wine Society Amateur Wine Competition:
2012 Cabernet Franc WMREC – Double Gold
2012 Cabernet Sauvignon WMREC – Silver
2010 Barbera WMREC – Silver
2011 Cabernet Sauvignon WMREC – Silver
2011 Chambourcin Amarone WMREC – Bronze
2012 Albarino & 54-36-34 WREC – Bronze
2010 Malvesia Negra WMREC – Bronze
2012 Chenin Blanc & XX1551 WREC – Bronze
2012 Linea WREC – Bronze
