Alto Vineyards win Jefferson Cup award

ALTO PASS, Ill. -- Alto Vineyards's 2001 Chambourcin wine received one of five Jefferson Cup awards presented during a recent competition.

The award was presented in the category for red wine. The Jefferson Cup is presented to some of the most compelling wines made in America.

In his judges remarks, sommelier Doug Frost said, "I defy anyone to taste that wine blind and tell me that it is a less important or less delicious wine, simply because it's made from a hybrid grape, the Chamberoucin."

The Jefferson Cup competition allows every wine-producing region of the nation to vie for an award. For the first time since it began three years ago, the judging was held in Missouri. All wines invited to the competition have proven their merits in earlier competitions and tastings.