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sofi™ Awards

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Official sofi Award coverage

2011's Gold Award Winners

View all of the 2011 finalists

sofi Round Two: That’s a Wrap!

Tasting complete, it's time to tally the scores.

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With stomachs full and palates pooped, Day 2 of sofi’s second round of judging has come to a close. The Silver Finalists for Outstanding New Product and Outstanding Product Line will be announced here next week. But until then, we have plenty of digesting to do.

Tasting and examining a total of 670 products and product lines over two days, the judges turned today to the latter title. Brands shined with their matched packaging, dressed to impress the judges as a whole—though flavor was still part of the game. Here are some trends we caught today.

Part Two Judging: Day 2 Trends

See trends from Day one here: sofi Awards: The Final Two.

Bold Colors are Back

After a wave of minimalism and retro, 2011 sofi Awards Part 2 Judging nostalgic packaging, bright colors and rich designs—drawn together with matching typefaces or art—are making a comeback. As the economy bounces back, it looks like brands are ready to flaunt the good stuff again.

Alcohol-as-Flavor Trend Continues

We saw wine-flavored ice-cream bars, in chocolate cabernet and Riesling with pear and Blood Orange vanilla; fig Cabernet and blueberry Limoncello jam pairings, as well as popcorn in bourbon and stout flavors, and whiskey-pepper steak sauce. Plus a BBQ favorite—seasonings made just for beer-can chicken. (See the Day 1 wrap up for more on this trend)

Blood Orange has a Pulse

Whether it’s permeating balsamic vinegar or sorbet, cookies or hard candies, blood orange is a sweet flavor trend that beams with stunning color. This sweet crimson-colored citrus fruit may soon have its moment in the spotlight.

The favorites among these final two categories will join the ranks of the 2011 sofi Silver Finalists, all who still have a chance at sofi Gold in July. Check in for the winners next week to update those grocery lists and give the best of the best a try for yourself.—Eva Meszaros