Eastern Iowa Wine Club

2009 Wine Competition Press Release:

Eastern Iowa Amateur Wine Competition Gaining Regional Prominence

Announces 2009 Amateur Competition

Some people might think tasting and evaluating 55 different wines over a 4-hour period would be an easy and enjoyable task; however, for the judges of the 2008 Eastern Iowa Amateur Wine Competition it was all in a days’ work!

2008 Wine Competition Judges: (R) Matt
Braafart of Des Moines) and (L) Ken
Groninga owner & winemaker at Eagle
City Winery:

The Eastern Iowa Wine Club (EIWC) has teamed up with the Benton County Fair Board to host the 2nd Annual Eastern Iowa Amateur Wine Competition on July 23rd. Because of last year’s success and large expected turnout for the 2009 competition, event organizers are increasing the number of judges from two to four, and expanding the number of categories to cover grape and non-grape wines as well as meads and ciders to a total of 22 categories.

“We were impressed with the quality and quantity of wines received last year, a testimony to the skill and passion of Iowa home winemakers,” said Brad Johnson, EIWC Secretary.

During a 3-round judging process, the 2009 competition will recognize the top three wines of each category with blue, red and white ribbons. New this year: the top 5 wines judged as extraordinary will be awarded a Gold Medal. All wines receiving a Gold Medal will be eligible for Best of Show recognition. Another new feature to this years’ competition includes the Marechal Foch Award, a specially designed trophy to honor and elevate this locally grown red wine grape.

Following judging, visitors (of legal drinking age) will be allowed to taste the wines and judge for
themselves and vote for their favorite to determine the People’s Choice Award.

The Eastern Iowa Amateur Wine Competition is open to any amateur winemaker and is free to enter. “We encourage all home winemakers to enter their favorite wines into our competition. As a winemaker you’ll receive the completed judging scorecards, written comments, and a note of any detected and suspected flaws/faults with your wines” said Martin Blind, EIWC President.

Deadline to enter your homemade wines into the 2nd Annual Eastern Iowa Amateur Wine

Entries must be received at the fairgrounds between 2-8pm on July 22nd and judging will take place on July 23rd with awards presented at 7:40pm. Additional information may be obtained by contacting Martin Blind at 319-551-2075 or email.