Illinois wine industry growing strong

Wine competitions highlight best Illinois wines and promising up-and-comers

[JULY 19, 2005]  SPRINGFIELD -- Amateur and commercial winemakers from around the state are vying for top honors at the 2005 Amateur and Commercial Wine Competitions at the Hilton Hotel in Springfield on Tuesday and Wednesday. More than half of Illinois' wineries are represented at this year's competition, with nearly 300 entries for commercial wines alone.

"The wine industry in Illinois is one of the fastest growing sectors of Illinois agriculture," said Chuck Hartke, director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture. "Today there are 55 wineries operating in Illinois, up from only 12 in 1997. These wineries are producing quality products that are recognized not only here in Illinois, but also across the nation. With the support and financial assistance Governor Blagojevich has committed to the wine industry, Illinois has the potential to compete with states like California, which are known worldwide for their quality wines."

A panel of commercial winemakers from Illinois wineries will judge wines in the amateur competition. The commercial competition will be judged by 10 certified wine judges from across the nation, including chief judge Ray Pompillio, former director of the International Eastern Wine Competition and wine writer from Ithaca, N.Y., and Linda Jones McKee, publisher of Wine East Magazine and a wine judge of national and international wine competitions over the last 20 years.

"In this competition Illinois wines compete for status," enologist Dr. Richard Carey said. "Because the wines are judged against themselves and not compared to other wines, a gold medal wine made in Illinois would hold that same status in California or anywhere else it was sold. The recognition Illinois wines gain at this competition brings credibility to Illinois products."

Wines are judged on color, balance, aroma, clarity and finish. The commercial wines will be judged on a point system and then awarded gold, silver and bronze medals in accordance with their score. All gold medal winners will compete for Best of Show, and a special recognition of Governor's Cup will be awarded to the best red, white and fruit wines produced from Illinois-grown fruit. Entries in the amateur competition will be awarded either red, white or blue ribbons for placement.

"This competition is a great test for the amateur winemakers in Illinois," said William McCartney, executive director of the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association. "A top-placing wine can catapult them to the next level, and we may see them down the road in the commercial competition. It's also a great opportunity for those who don't place to get some direction from professional winemakers in Illinois who may have once come across the same stumbling blocks."

The competitions are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and from 8 a.m. to noon on Wednesday.

The event is hosted by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association.

[Illinois Department of Agriculture news release]