Texas Rolls Out the Silver for New Mexico's Largest Winery

The 2008 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ International Wine Competition has awarded Southwest Wines (formally known as New Mexico Wineries Inc.) an amazing 10 Silver medals for the New Mexico winery in one competition. The fifth annual International Wine Competition tastings were held in November and featured wines from Texas, across the United States, and around the world. The Roundup and Best Bites Wine awards were presented on Presidents Day evening, Monday, Feb. 18th on the floor of the legendary Reliant Astrodome in Reliant Park.

Houston, TX (PRWEB) February 19, 2008 -- The 2008 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ International Wine Competition has awarded Southwest Wines (formally known as New Mexico Wineries Inc.) an amazing 10 Silver medals for the New Mexico winery in one competition. The fifth annual International Wine Competition tastings were held in November and featured wines from Texas, across the United States, and around the world. The Roundup and Best Bites Wine awards were presented on Presidents Day evening, Monday, Feb. 18th on the floor of the legendary Reliant Astrodome in Reliant Park.

When Baron Philippe de Rothschild famously said, "To develop character, great wines must go through great hardship .... there must be suffering to produce it," he was not thinking of Southwest Wines vineyards in Lordsburg, New Mexico. Yet the high altitude summer sun of the Winery's 180 acres would do the Baron proud. The grapes' suffering is tempered by the cool New Mexico nights ... Florent Lescombes, vice president of the family-owned Southwest Wines, that runs the St. Clair Winery and tasting room east of Deming, NM, says, "The main thing I've learned about grapes in 25 years is that vines are like people, they like the heat but also like to have some cool downtime."

Southwest Wines produces multiple brands and won the following Silver medals in this years competition: DH Lescombes- 05 Cabernet Sauvignon and Imperial Kir (Natural Raspberry infused sparkling wine), with 'Special Awards' in Silver category: DH Lescombes 06 Chenin Blanc (Silver Reserve Medal) and DH Lescombs 06 Chenin Blanc (Silver Reserve Champion). The St. Clair brand won Silver awards for the 06 Petit Verdot, 06 Reserve Mourvedre, and Bellissimo. The Blue Teal brand won a Silver award for its 06 Muscat Canelli. Southwest Wines also produces what they call their "fun wines" which also took Silver award medals for the Plum Loco and Summer Peach wine brands.

"Receiving acknowledgements for our wines in competitions like this show distributors and large retailers that wines from New Mexico have come a long way in recent years ... the most common comment we get at tastings and large events now is 'Wow, this wine is from New Mexico? It's delicious!'" says Sarah Hixon, sales representative at Southwest Wines.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is a Section 501(c-3) charity, benefiting youth, supporting education and facilitating better agricultural practices through exhibitions, support and presentation. Since 1932, the Show has committed more than $220 million to Texas youth! The support of the community, including media outlets in Houston, is a major reason for its success in helping Texas young people. Southwest Wines is proud to help support their efforts.

http://www.stclairvineyards.com

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