Illinois State Fair Wine Competition

Sponsored by: The Illinois Grape Growers & Vintners Association

Held June 7-9, 2010
University of Illinois Campus, Urbana, IL

> Click here for the 2010 wine competition results (pdf)

About the Competition
The Illinois State Fair Wine Competition was open to only Illinois commercial wineries and Midwest amateur winemakers. The competition was held at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign on June 7-9. The competition consisted of 125 amateur entries and 278 commercial entries.

Judging was based on color, balance, aroma, clarity, taste and finish. Entries are judged against themselves on a point system. Twenty being the highest point mark, all wines with a score of 17 and above receive a gold medal, 15 and above receive a silver medal and wines 12 and higher are awarded a bronze medal. All consensus gold medal winners then competed for Best of Show. The special recognition of “Governor’s Cup” is awarded to the best red, white, sweet, blush, fruit and dessert wines produced from Illinois fruit.

Best of Show was awarded to Prairie State Winery in Genoa for their Cabernet Franc, 2008. The grapes were sourced from Two Oaks Vineyard in Benton, Illinois.

Best of Show and Governor’s Cup winners will be recognized at a special luncheon on August 17th “Agriculture Day” during the Illinois State Fair.

This competition not only raises the value of Illinois wines but also brings national recognition and credibility to their products. Many Illinois wines have not only won medals in the Illinois State Fair Wine Competition, but have won national and international competitions in their categories.

For more information on the Illinois State Fair Wine Competition, please contact University of Illinois Extension Specialist Bradley Beam at (217) 244-1042.