Best of Show Tips

While none of the three panelists for this “Tips from the Pros” column are actually pros, their knowledge is second to none. We’ve accumulated three “Best of Show” winners from the 2019 WineMaker International Amateur Wine Competition to share their medal-winning advice. Kathleen Ondrus, Winemaker of the Year and Grand Champion Wine at the WineMaker International Amateur Wine Competition in 2018 and 2019. My Grand Champion Wine is a 2018 Muscat Canelli grown here in the Grand Valley AVA of Colorado. I source my grapes from several growers here in the Grand Valley but this grape was sourced through Talbot Farms, where they cool the grapes in their massive coolers until they are picked up and I have the time to process them. The grapes were medium sized, green in color with some sunburned skins. No mold or off odors were noted. Seeds brown with yellow centers. Liquid centers that do not hold onto seeds. Juice tart and sweet between granny smith and honey crisp with a nose of granny smith apples. Skins mellow flavor with no bitterness. Seeds were