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Technique

2012 WineMaker Competition Winners

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