#PDNCWC
HOW TO ENTER
QUALIFICATIONS
This challenge rates wines exclusively produced and bottled in select California North Coast AVAs including Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Sonoma, and Marin and Solano County. Any bottled wine labeled with the above AVAs as their main source of grapes and whose winery is in California, is eligible for entry.
Questions? Email Debra DelFiorentino debra@winecompetitions.com
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WINE Submission
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An official entry shall consist of 4 bottles, each bottle no less than 750 ml in volume. For containers larger than 1 liter in volume, an official entry shall consist of 2 units. An official entry of wines, such as dessert wines, that are bottled only in 375ml bottles shall consist of 6 bottles, each no less than 375ml. If packaged in cans, please send 8 per entry.
An invitational tasting will be produced and hosted by The Press Democrat at a later date after the judging.
In the event your wine wins gold or above, you may be contacted by The Press Democrat to pour your medal-winners and participate in the tasting.
Reserve six (6) 750 ml bottles (or equivalent) per wine type.
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INSTRUCTIONS For Entry Form
If submitting a paper entry, please make sure you include the following in your entry form:
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Class number (Category)
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Vintage
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Wine name/type
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Appellation
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Varietal composition by percentage
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Vineyard designation (if any)
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Production
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Price
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Residual sweetness*
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Any other significant information
Entrants should specify class number of entry, or a class will be selected at the discretion of the Chief Judge.
A wine can be entered in a single class ONLY. All entered wines must be available to the general public.
Certain classes will be subdivided by price, at the discretion of the Chief Judge. Entrants must specify the winery suggested retail price (SRP) for each wine entered.
*Entrants must specify residual sweetness accurately as a percentage, as judges may reject a wine with a sweetness level that does not correspond to the entry form.
WINE SHIPMENT & Pre-Addressed Labels
Please ship four (4) 750 ml bottles (or equivalent) per wine entry to:
2022 Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge
C/O Express Wine Delivery
7970 Cameron Dr.
Windsor, CA 95492
SHIPPING DEADLINE: All shipped wines must arrive by March 28th, 2022.
Clearly mark boxes on all sides "2022 PDNCWC". Mark boxes 1 of 2, 2 of 2, etc. to ensure entire shipment is received. Call our offices for late entry information.
JUDGING Methodology
Wines will be designated the ranking of Best of Class by Category, Best of County, and ultimately the Best of the Best as top award. Panels will be comprised of qualified members of wine media, wine buyers, sommeliers, winemakers, and wine educators. Majority will rule in reaching a consensus. New bottles will be opened for medal-round tasting. Judges may ask for a new bottle to be poured if they believe a wine to be "flawed." Medals awarded will be Double Gold and Gold. Golds will be converted into a point score above 90 and all 90+ point wines will get a marketable positive comment from the judging panel it was judged by. The Wine Challenge will be introducing a new approach to award designations. Wines will be designated the ranking of Best of Class by Category, Best of County, and ultimately the Best of the Best as top award.
MEDALS & Notification
Award recipients will be notified within 7 working days of the last day of the competition.
Best of Show and Best of Class will receive Medals/Plaques.
Gold medals will be available on request.
A Media Kit with Digital Medals / Press Release / Achievement in Winemaking Certificates / etc., will be available on the website.
The media kits will be available after the results are released.
Exclusive promotional items such as bottle stickers are available.
Only Gold Medals and above are published in The Press Democrat, on this website within ten (10) working days of the final judging day. Silver and bronze awards will only be listed on Enofile.
DISCLOSURES
Any wine remaining at the conclusion of the judging becomes the property of
Wine Competitions Management + Productions.
QUESTIONS
Please contact Director of Wine Competitions, Debra Del Fiorentino
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Or fill-in our CONTACT form by clicking below.