Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/552044
{ SOMMjournal.com } 89 { SOMMjournal.com } 89 { SOMMjournal.com } 89 Smiley Quick, Wine Specialist at Vendome Wine & Spirits in Toluca Lake, CA. Jessie Birschbach, Sommelier at Spago in Beverly Hills, CA. Andrew Coffou, Sommelier at La Bottega in Vail, CO. Dan Vogel, Head Sommelier at Café Kandahar in Whitefish, Montana, with "Best No-Oak" winner Dieter Cronje, wine- maker at Presqu'ile Winery. (left to right) Mike Sinor, winemaker at Sinor La Vallee and advisory committee member for The International Chardonnay Symposium; Rick Laughead, Proprietor, Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa, and co-creator of The International Chardonnay Symposium; Linda Parker Sanpei, founder of Parker Sanpei and Director of The International Chardonnay Symposium; John King, proprietor, The Boutique Collection and co- creator of The International Chardonnay Symposium; and Brian Talley, proprietor, Talley Vineyards and advisory committee member for The International Chardonnay Symposium. 32 Chardonnays, 12 Sommeliers and 5 hours: The Chardonnay Symposium's Blind Tasting Sommelier Challenge was a labor of love, to be sure, but one that was eye-opening and perhaps too much fun to put to print. Here are the categories and winners. BEST CLASSIC STYLE Talley Vineyards 2013 Estate Chardonnay, Arroyo Grande Valley SOMM'S CHOICE AWARD Dalrymple 2012 Cave Block Chardonnay, Tasmania Imported by Negociants USA BEST OLD WORLD STYLE Cotiere 2013 Murmur Vineyard Chardonnay, Santa Maria Valley BEST NO-OAK Presqui'ile 2013 Chardonnay, Santa Maria Valley BEST NEW WORLD STYLE Capensis 2013 Chardonnay, Western Cape, South Africa BEST OF SHOW Mattina Fiore 2012 Murmur Vineyard Chardonnay, Santa Maria Valley (left to right) Executive Chef Jacob Moss of Lido Restaurant at Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa in Shell Beach, California, Brian Talley, owner of Talley Vineyards, and special guest Ari Kolender, Executive Chef of Leon's Oyster Shop and Saint Alban, Charleston, South Carolina. La Paulée Dinner and Sommelier