Award Categories
Best of Class of Region Awards
After all awards and numeric scores have been entered, we locate the highest scoring varietal from each of the regions. This high score will designate a wine for an individual award called the “Best of Class of Region” or in other words, the highest scoring varietal from this region or appellation. There could be a Best Chardonnay from Sierra Foothills, a Best Chardonnay from Napa, a Best Chardonnay from South Central Coast, etc. from each of the eleven regions.
Generally speaking, these categories will be determined based on the total amount of entries, usually a minimum of 15 to 20 wines that were entered. Each of the varietals listed below will be recognized in each of the 11 regions. All medal winning wines, regardless of their medal, are eligible for this special recognition, which includes an individual wine which may only be a Bronze or Silver — but it will be the highest awarded varietal within that region!
Best Varietal of the State
After the judges have finished awarding medals and numeric scores, all the Gold and Double Gold winners within certain varietals will compete for the Best Varietal in the State. For example, there will be one Chardonnay chosen as the Best Chardonnay in the State, one Merlot, one White Zinfandel, etc. These varieties are chosen based on the amount of wines entered in each class. Approximately thirty (30) entries or more in any class will qualify a varietal to be eligible.
The following 18 varietal classes may be tasted in 2009 for this special award:
- Chardonnay
- Viognier
- Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Gewurztraminer (all styles)
- White (Johannisberg) Riesling (all styles)
- White Zinfandel
- Varietal Rosés
- Sparkling Wine
- Red Generics
- Sangiovese
- Barbera
- Meritage
- Merlot
- Cabernet Franc
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Red Bordeaux Varietal Blend
- Zinfandel
- Pinot Noir
- Syrah
- Petite Sirah
- Muscats
- Port Wines
Best of Region
On the final tasting day, judges will be divided into four panels of 10 to 12 judges each. They will taste all the Gold and Double Gold wines. New in 2008, the judges chose two wines —Best of Region White Wine and Best of Region Red Wine. Judges did not know which region they were judging. These awards represent the best example of a varietal (class) type from each of the eleven regions. The overall winning red and white wines will have the most votes and become eligible to represent its region for the Best of Show.
Best of Show Award
All judges will become a panel of one. A “Best Red” and “Best White” will then be selected from the eleven “Best of Region” red and white wines by all judges present. A computer tallies the results of the judge’s scores and a majority decides the two “Best of Show” wines. The Best of Show awards take precedence over all other awards.
Narrowing the Field
Narrowing the Field: There are many scoring “systems” that can be used during the Best of Region and Best of Show tasting to find the one “best” wine. The following example illustrates the method used by the California State Fair Wine Competition: If there are 15 to 20 wines being tasted as a group, the judges are allowed to “vote” for their top ten choices. No ranking, just the 10 best wines that each judge likes. The computer then tallies all 12 judge’s scores and retains the top ten (or 8, or 9 or 11 or 12}. (The number retained depends on the “grouping” of the wines, it could be 8 or possibly 12 wines brought back.) These ten wines are tasted and the judge’s will “vote” for their top three. Three (or 2, or 4) wines are brought back and the judge’s “vote” for one.
Golden State Winery of the Year Award
The California State Fair will recognize the winery that has the greatest number of wines winning the highest number of awards. A minimum of 10 wines must be entered by a winery to be eligible for this award. The award will be based upon a combination of two calculations:
- The total number of Double Gold, Gold, Silver, Bronze, Best of Class of Region, Best Varietal of State, Best of Region and Best of Show awards won by the winery.
- The percentage of entered wines versus the number of wines winning awards by the winery.
Each calculation will be weighted as 50% of the total score.
Awards To Be Presented
Double Gold, Gold, Silver, and Bronze .........................................Rosette
Regional Best of Class ...................................................................Rosette
Best Varietal of State .....................................................................Plaque
Best of Region ...............................................................................Plaque
Best Dessert Wine ........................................................................Plaque
Best Value Wine ...........................................................................Plaque
Golden State Winery of the Year Award .................................... Large Golden Bear Trophy
Best Red ..................................................................................... Rosette and Large Golden Bear Trophy
Best White ..................................................................................Rosette and Large Golden Bear Trophy
Viticultural Awards
Single Vineyard Grape Growers and Estate Vineyard Managers
It is the policy of the California State Fair to recognize the agricultural contribution of single vineyard wine grape growers and vineyard managers (for wineries that grow their own grapes and estate bottle their wine) for award winning wines. This viticultural contribution is recognized, with award certificates to the single vineyard grape grower (or winery vineyard manager of estate bottled wines) if the award winning wine carries a single vineyard designation or an estate bottled designation on its label, and is so identified on the entry form.
These viticultural awards will be given for all award categories.
