Photo Caption: Winners of 2017’s Illinois State Fair Wine Competition
Choosing great tasting, locally-produced wines can be a challenge, but don’t worry, you’ve got us! Your wine buddies here at Social Scene have enumerated some of the best wines of Illinois today. They are not only the best, but they also won the judges’ hearts in 2017’s Illinois State Fair Wine Competition.
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Illinois State Fair Wine Competition: What is it?
Illinois State Fair Wine Competition is a yearly event open to both amateur and commercial wine and hard cider producers in Illinois. Judging is based on the wine’s (or cider’s) color, aroma, taste, balance, clarity, and finish. Contest entries are judged using the Davis 20-point scorecard.The main goal of this competition is to improve the quality of wine throughout Illinois through the judges’ feedback. If a submitted entry did not receive a medal, chances are that judges might have some suggestions or comments as to what went wrong and how to fix the wine.
So now we have a bit of a background on the Illinois State Fair Wine Competition, here are some of the best wines of Illinois, according to the judges of the competition.
Cabernet Franc
The Cabernet Franc of Prairie State Winery has garnered the distinction of Best Red Table Wine in the Top Awards for Wines from any Appellation. This classic has great depth and tannins, yet not as overwhelming as the Cabernet Sauvignon. Steak and this Cabernet Franc is a match made in heaven.
See more of Prairie State Winery’s wines here.
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Norton
Norton hails from Hickory Ridge Vineyard and has bagged the Governor’s Cup for Illinois-Grown Fruit in the Red Table Wine Division. Norton boasts of aromas of cedar and powerful berry flavors that jumps out from the glass and into your nose. Norton is just one of the many top-quality wines Hickory Ridge Vineyard has to offer. Many have raved about its taste and texture. See their customers’ feedback on Norton, their other wines, and the winery itself in their FB reviews.
Pink Catawba
Winning the Best Dessert Wine in the Illinois Competition’s Governor’s Cup is the Pink Catawba of Willow Ridge Vineyards & Winery. Patrons of the winery have only good things to say about the wine and the winery. See their reviews here.
Rosé Wine
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Strawberry Dessert Wine
The winner of the Governor’s Cup for Illinois-Grown Fruit in the Fruit Wine Division is Pomona Winery’s Strawberry Dessert Wine. This dessert wine abounds of strawberry in taste. Its flavor comes to life when paired with chocolate or cheesecake. This and other award-winning non-grape wines of Pomona Winery is available in their shop.
The Secret Garden La Crescent
The Secret Garden Viognier
Another one from Galena Cellars Vineyard and Winery is The Secret Garden Viognier. It is the 2017 Illinois State Fair Wine Competitions Best of Show for the Commercial Division.
This dry wine is similar in style to that of a Chardonnay. Gallena’s Viognier spotlights layers of pear, peach and delicate aromatics of apricot. The grapes used in this wine are grown and sourced from Southern Illinois. See more wines like this from Gallena Cellars.
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Traminette
This Illinois Traminette of Galena Cellars has got the award for the Best White Table Wine for the category of Top Awards for Wines from any Appellation. This semi-dry white wine is a cross of the Seyval Blanc and Gewurztraminer grapes. It pairs well with spicy foods as this wine has notes of spice, yet with undertones of grapefruit and honeysuckle.
Unconditional Surrender Sweet Cider
Galena Cellars Vineyard & Winery has done it again as they have grabbed the 4th award in the 2017 Illinois State Fair Wine Competition. The Top Award for Wines from any Appellation, Best Fruit Wine goes to their Unconditional Surrender Sweet Cider.
Cheers to more wine!
With this knowledge of the best wines of Illinois, now it is time to get that locally-made wine. Maybe you can try each of the winners itemized in this list. Or you can do your own tasting and see if they indeed do belong on this list.
Your friends here at Social Scene have planned events featuring wines. It may be that these events are coming in 2019, but craft wines will be featured in our spirits tasting festivals happening later this year.
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Resources:
https://illinoiswine.com/event/illinois-state-fair-wine-competition-2/
https://illinoiswine.com/accolades/illinoiswine-competition/
Isis Macaraeg
Professional Content Writer
Social Scene
BeSocialScene.com
