If you have ever considered getting feedback on your wine and/or sharing your wine making skills this may be your best opportunity. As part of the Kitsap County Fair, this years judging will be done by you. We call it peer judging. What I envision is, wine entrants also acting as judges in an open evening of wine tasting and scoring. The fair has given us access to the Eagles Nest conference rooms (across from the fair grounds) on Sunday, August 1, from 5 to 7p. Entrants will be invited to bring in their wines, pay fees, fill out entry forms, then act as judges themselves for each others wines, filling out score sheets, and giving feedback.
What's the difference between this and a party? Not much, except it's short, structured, and has a paper trail. Scores will still be totaled and averaged, awards will still be given and bottles displayed at the fair. If you can't attend, entries will be accepted from July 25 to July 31 at Olympic Brewing.
This is a first attempt so I'm expecting some anarchy but definitely a good time.
Details below:
Kitsap County Fair
HOMEMADE WINE COMPETITION
Sponsored by Olympic Brewing Supplies
www.olybrew.com
SPECIAL RULES & REGULATIONS
Peer Judging: Beginning this year judging will not be done by a panel. Instead, you, the wine making community will judge each others wine. Wine entries will be accepted, fees paid, and judged at a community tasting 3 weeks before the fair. At this tasting each entrant will be eligible as a Community Judge. Judges will taste each others entries, complete score sheets, and discuss it's merits. Wine makers will get immediate feedback on their wines. Score totals and awards will be announced at the fair. If you can't attend, wine entries will be accepted at Olympic Brewing Supplies from July 25 to July 31.
This years Peer Wine Judging will be at the Eagles Nest Conference Center across the street from the Kitsap County Fair Grounds on Sunday, August 1, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
Judging and Awards: Entries will be scored using a point system. Highest score in each category will be awarded 1st Place. All 1st Place wines will be entered into their respective Best of Show division. Highest score in a category does not guarantee a Best of Show award. There will be a range of scoring for 1st place and the Best of Show awards will encompass a range of categories. (Please note: Mead and Cider will be judged with the Homebrew Beer Competition.) Winning wines will be displayed at the Presidents' Hall.
Awards for each classification:
Best Red Wine Best White Wine
Best Fruit Wine Best Berry Wine
Best Novelty Wine Best of Show
Best Label
Eligibility: This competition is open to all amateur winemakers 21 years or older.
Entry Requirements:
Still wines must be in standard 750 ml corked wine bottles not longer than 12 inches. They must appear sterile and be suitable for display.
All entries become the property of the Kitsap County Fair and no wines will be returned.
It is the entrant's responsibility to select the proper category.
Dry wines should have less than 2% sugar (Sp. G 1.002 and under). All other wines are deemed sweet.
Misclassified wines will be judged but will not be eligible for awards.
Improperly completed entry forms or wines arriving after the deadline will be judged, but will not be eligible for awards.
Entry Forms: Entry forms are available from Olympic Brewing Supplies beginning July 25. Wine entries and forms will be submitted at Olympic Brewing Supplies or the day of the judging at the Eagles Nest.
Entry Form Info:
Name, address, & phone number of wine maker
Category of the wine and primary ingredient
Ending specific gravity and alcohol content.
Entry Fees: Entry fee is required and must be paid in cash or check payable to "Kitsap County Fair." You may submit up to 6 wines for one entry fee. Entry Fees are also the cost of a Fair ticket good for one day. Adult - $7.00, Senior - $5.00.
Entry Deadline: Entries must be submitted to Olympic Brewing Supplies by Saturday, July 31 or at the Eagles Nest on Sunday, August 1.
Exhibition: Entries will be displayed at and for the duration of the Fair with awards attached.
CATEGORIES
1.1 Dry Red Vinifera Grape
1.2 Dry White Vinifera Grape
1.3 Sweet Red Vinifera Grape
1.4 Sweet White Vinifera Grape
2.1 Dry Red Concentrate Grape
2.2 Dry White Concentrate Grape
2.3 Sweet Red Concentrate Grape
2.4 Sweet White Concentrate Grape
3.1 Dry Red Country Grape *
3.2 Dry White Country Grape *
3.3 Sweet Red Country Grape *
3.4 Sweet White Country Grape *
4.1 Dry Fruit Wines **
4.2 Sweet Fruit Wines **
5.1 Dry Berry Wines ***
5.2 Sweet Berry Wines ***
6.1 Novelty Wines ****
7.1 Best Label, all entries qualify
* Country Grapes are local grown such as Island Belle, Concord, or wild grape; where additional sugar is used in the wine
** Fruit Wines to include Apple, Peach, Cherry, Melon, Plum, etc.
*** Berry Wines to include Raspberry, Blueberry, Blackberry, Cranberry, Boysenberry, etc.
**** Novelty Wines to include Vegetables, herbs, and flowers
JUDGING RULES
Each entry will get a score sheet with comments.
Grape wine entries must contain only grapes and may not be blended with any other fruit. At their discretion, judges may disqualify any wine they feel violates this rule.
All wines will be disposed of after judging leaving only the empty bottles for display.
Labels entered for Best Label must accompany a wine being entered and must have been produced by an amateur artist. Label may have been hand drawn or produced on a computer and must accurately depict the contents of the bottle. All art remains the property of the artist. By entering the label in the competition, the artist gives the Kitsap County Fair permission to use it in any of their promotions.
Wines will be judged and awarded points on the following criteria:
Sight - Clarity and Color (0-4)
Aroma and Bouquet (0-6)
Taste, Balance, Legs (0-6)
Finish (0-2)
Overall (0-2)
Creative and Artistic Label
Points will be awarded for each category, 20 points being the highest total score
