6,417 Wines at San Francisco Chronicle Wine Contest
It’s another record breaking year with 28 states and 6,417 wines entered at the annual San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. It now ranks as the largest competition of American wines in the world. A contest that began at Cloverdale Citrus Fair kept growing, and growing, and becoming so big that one day the event planners knew they needed to do something! 15 years ago in 2000 the Cloverdale Citrus Fair entered into a title naming sponsorship agreement with the San Francisco Chronicle newspaper with the award tasting of the medal winning wines to take place in San Francisco. The public tasting on Feb. 14, 2015 at Fort Mason still has tickets as of this posting. Cost $65 pre, $80 (winejudging.com)– it usually sells out! Also on Feb. 14 & 15 at the Cloverdale Citrus Fair you can taste some of the award-winning wines starting at 1 p.m.
Highlights
- 151 Best of Class Awards (most are from California)
- 9 Chardonnays under $10 in Gold Category
- 11 Awesome Ports in Gold Category range from $20-50
- 59 Wine Judges traveled to Cloverdale (Sonoma County) Jan. 5-9 to rate the wines
- Varietals were divided into several categories and subcategories, with chances to rate entries as Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Double Gold (equivalent to a unanimous rating by all panel members).
- Eight entries were honored with Sweepstake Award in the categories of Sparkling, White, Pink, Red, and Dessert/Specialty wines.
- A label contest was held independent of the wine competition.
