4,318 entries
803 wine flights
1,511 total judging hours
50 American states
8 Canadian provinces
7 Countries
From April 20 to 22, 2012, a total of 4,318 different wines were judged at the Equinox Resort in Manchester, Vermont. This year’s competition was again the largest wine competition of its kind in the world. The 4,318 entries arrived from hobby winemakers living throughout North America in all 50 American states and 8 Canadian provinces and as far away as Malta and Spain. Over the course of three days, experienced judging panels worked through 803 flights, examining each wine using the UC-Davis 20-point wine scale evaluating appearance, aroma, taste, aftertaste and overall impression. The wines were entered in 50 different categories and included an astonishing array of varietals and wine styles. Kit wines competed alongside fresh-grape entries in this blind tasting. Entries were awarded gold, silver, bronze and best of show medals based on the average score given by the judging panel. The Grand Champion wine medal was the top overall scoring wine across all categories. The Club of the Year was given to the club whose members won the most medals and the Retailer of the Year and U-Vint of the Year awards were given to the winemaking supply stores whose customers outperformed other similar shops. Finally the Winemaker of the Year award was given to the individual entrant who had the highest average score across their top 5 scoring wines in the competition.
Congratulations to everyone who won a medal, and a sincere thanks to our sponsors, judging director Gene Spaziani, competition director Ric Quental, our judges, competition volunteers and of course everyone who took time to enter.
Grand Champion Wine
Rex Johnston and Barbara Bentley • Walnut Creek, CA
100% Dessert Style Red Raspberry 2011
Best of Show Kit/Concentrate
Mary Ann McKinnon • Vancouver, BC
100% Winexpert Selection Limited Edition Pacifica White 2010
Best of Show Red
Jack Ruscilli • Columbus, OH
90% Zinfandel, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Best of Show White
Kelly Bronn • Ridgeville, ON
100% Winexpert Selection Estate German Mosel Valley Gewürztraminer 2010
Best of Show Dessert
Stephanie Devison • Guelph, ON
100% RJ Spagnols Cru Select Specialty Coffee Port 2011
Best of Show Country Fruit
Joseph Wann • Williamstown, NJ
80% Pineapple, 16% Mango, 2% Coconut, 2% Orange 2011
Best of Show Estate Grown
Werner Keuhnis • Traverse City, MI
100% Pinot Blanc 2010
Best of Show Mead
Dr. Godwin Meniru • Canton, OH
Wildflower Honey, Orange Zest, Cinnamon, Vanilla, Cloves, Nutmeg, Allspice, Juniper, Anise and Ginger 2011
Best of Show Sparkling
Callie McHarg • 100 Milehouse, BC
100% RJ Spagnols Cellar Classic Gewürztraminer 2011
WineMaker of the Year
Dr. Godwin Meniru • Canton, OH
U-Vint of the Year
Grapes 4 U • British Columbia
Retailer of the Year
Quality Wine and Ale Supply • Elkhart, IN
Club of the Year
Sacramento Home Winemakers California
For a full list of all our medal winners please visit our webpage that offers a downloadable pdf of the complete award results: winemakermag.com/competition
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