SCOFF IF YOU WILL….
                WINE COMPETITIONS COUNT   

February 1, 2008

From time to time, among the wine cognoscenti that frequent the Forums here on neworleans.com, as well as when wine lovers gather to discuss whatever is the current topic that rocks their world, the subjects of Wine Competitions and Wine Judgings arise.

These are very ticklish topics, for people that often exhibit little sense of humor. To many folks the idea of following the numerical ratings of someone they have never met, or even had a discussion with, makes perfect sense.

But the overall impression of a wine, arrived at by committee, in a formal setting, is anathema.

Granted, we are comparing apples with cabernet sauvignon in that example, but there are roles to fulfill in both cases. Surprisingly, the end results of those differing roles are the same: products that runs off the retailer’s shelves, or products that end up in the Clearance Bin.

To a winery, a high score from a revered critic, and a Gold Medal in a respected competition, is the same, even though in many cases the competition’s award differs from the critic’s comments and scores.

As I said, to a winery, the result is the same. If a winery can note that Mr. Lofty Wine Reviewer gave the wine a 92, or if the winery can note that a particular wine won a Gold Medal at the revered Topeka Wine and Beef competition, the wine will move through the distribution channels and on to the consumer’s table.

The consumer, with so many choices in the Wine Aisle of their local Winn-Wiggly supermarket, is seeking guidance. And high wine scores or wine judging medals are good guides when all someone wants is to NOT make a mistake.

I mention all of this because, in full disclosure, I do a number of wine judgings every year. Six, if you are interested. From California to Florida, I am asked to participate in competitions that after several days of “I like it” to “Why don’t we just shoot the winemaker?” conclusions are reached. Gold Medals and Sweepstakes Awards are determined, and the agreements and disagreements among wine folks are unleashed.

Truthfully, wine judgings are committee-work, and you know how committees work, don’t you? Often in a judges’ gathering later, often accompanied by copious amounts of beers and margaritas, admissions are made that we all wish we could come back and taste a particular wine tomorrow, or five years from now. But that’s not the way it works. The wine has to be judged on what it is today. If someone goes to their grocery store and innocently picks up a wine that we have attached a Gold Medal to, and they take it home, open it up for dinner, and say, “What is wrong with those people?” we feel bad.

The wines awarded at a judging are awarded based on what they offered at the judge’s table today. The wineries enter their wines because they want to sell those wines today. And the consumer, in most cases, will be consuming those wines the day they are purchased, often within hours of the purchase.

Wine judging is nothing more or less than that knowledge.

Sweepstakes Winners in the 2008 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
An American Wine Competition
4235 Entries
Full Results at www.winejudging.com

Sparkling Wines (tie)
Gloria Ferrar Royal Cuvee Brut, 2000
Mumm Napa Blanc de Noir, NV

White
Merryvale Chardonnay Carneros, 2005

Rose
Bernard Griffin Rose Sangiovese, Columbia Valley, 2005

Red  (tie)
Rodney Strong Reserve Pinot Noir, Jane’s Vineyard, 2005
Savannah Chanel, Sonoma Coast, Pinot Noir, 2005

Dessert
S3X Russian River Valley, Late Harvest, Riesling, 2005