FORESTVILLE, NY (October 6, 2011) -This year has proved very successful in the way of awards for Merritt Estate wines. Merritt recently received honors from the 2011 World Value Wine Challenge and the 3^rd Annual NextGen Millennial Wine Competition for Millennial Wine Drinkers.

            The 2011 World Value Wine Challenge took place in early August at the Beverage Tasting Institute's new tasting room in Chicago, Illinois. The competition prides itself on being the most comprehensive for wines with prices in the $20 and under range. This is intended to award wines that offer the most value to a potential customer. Wine entries were divided in to four different categories. These categories included $20 and under, $15 and under, $10 and under and $8 and under. Surprisingly, 90% of all wine sold in the United States falls in this price range. Wines are judged on a 100 point scale and given awards and recommendations based on their score.

Merritt Estate Winery took home two awards from the competition. Bella Rosa, a sweet, full-bodied Lambrusco style red wine and Merritt's best-seller received a Bronze medal with a score of 83 points. Bella Ice, a sweet red wine with intense Concord grape flavor received a Bronze medal as well with a score of 84 points.

            The NextGen Millennial Wine Competition for Millennial Wine Drinkers was held on August 11 and 12 in Sonoma County, California. This wine competition differs from many others in its judging style. The judging panel for the competition is made up of wine industry professionals between the ages of 21 and 35. These "Millennial" wine drinkers are proven to differ in many ways from people in the same age group ten to twenty years ago. Some of these differences include their "looser, less competitive" style of judging and their interest in the history of each brand over the taste and quality of its wine alone.  This shift in perspective over the last decade shows the impact that the ever changing economy has had on the wine industry and its experts.

            Over 760 wines were entered in to the competition from wineries throughout the United States, New Zealand and France. Merritt Estate Winery took home one award from the competition. Bella Ice won a bronze medal in the Ice Wine category.

For more information on Merritt news and events, visit www.merrittestatewinery.com or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/merrittwinery.

Merritt Estate is located in Lake Erie Wine Country, the largest grape growing region of New York State located along the shores of Lake Erie. The grapes and wines produced under Merritt rival the quality of premium vintages throughout the world.