A Fresno State wine made to commemorate former Fresno State President John Welty won a silver medal at the 2014 Consumer Wine Awards in Lodi.
The “Legacy — President’s Reserve Classic Chardonnay 2012,” is labeled in honor of former Fresno State president John D. Welty. It was created by students at the Fresno State Winery and released last April to celebrate Welty’s retirement and his commitment to viticulture and enology programs.
Under Welty’s 22-year tenure, the Fresno State Winery became the first student winery on a university campus to sell its wines and has won more than 500 awards in commercial competition.
The wine was made from chardonnay grapes grown in Linden and aged in oak. Out of the 225 cases of the wine that were created, only 55 cases are left.
Kevin Smith, businesss and marketing manager at Fresno State Winery, said consumers judged the wine instead of professional judges.
Smith said the wine won the medal for its color, taste and balance.
“Balance is the whole experience of the wine,” Smith said. “Taste is something most consumers look for. It’s a very vague word but everyone has their own taste, and the chardonnay has a good taste.”
Fresno State Winery also offers a picaresque in honor of former U.S. Poet Laureate Phil Levine, who taught at Fresno State from 1958 to 1992.
Mitchell McSorley, a tasting room associate at the Rue and Gwen Gibson Farm Market, said the wine is a popular choice among the 25 different bottles offered to the public.
“The Legacy has more of a rich buttery taste of a chardonnay, which people like a little more,” McSorley said. “The biggest thing people like is that it is made in honor of President Welty.”
Smith said the wine pairs well with fruits like melons, light cheeses, light chicken, pastas and fish dishes.
“If I’m going to take some wine home for the weekend and if I have some guests coming over, the Legacy would be one I would go home with,” Smith said.
The wine costs $14.95 and is sold at the Rue and Gwen Gibson Farm Market and online at http://store.fresnostatewinery.com/.