Mn State Fair Competition
Started by
IVAN Z
, Aug 22 2008 04:56 AM
25 replies to this topic
#1
IVAN Z
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Posted 22 August 2008 - 04:56 AM
Congratulations Steve on two second place wins at the MN state fair.
#2
IVAN Z
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Posted 22 August 2008 - 05:36 AM
QUOTE (IVAN Z @ Aug 22 2008, 06:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Congratulations Steve on two second place wins at the MN state fair.
Steve AKA (northernwiner)
#3
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Posted 22 August 2008 - 06:00 AM
Thanks Ivan.
I also have to give a shout out to WinePress member "Pudo" who did very well. He took a 1st in the cranberry wine category and 3rd in cherry. Possibly others - they won't post official results for a few days. I had two 2nd place winners and a 3rd place in white wine.
Competition was tough this year. I don't know how many entries there were altogether, but I stood there and counted cases of bottles, and by my count there had to be more than 400 entries. By comparison, the first time I participated was 5 years ago and I seem to recall about 150 entries at that time. I talked to quite a few first time participants yesterday too.
They've got an impressive new "Minnesota Wine Country" display in the Horticulture pavillion. I'll post some fair photos tonight in the Minnesota section of the forum.
I also have to give a shout out to WinePress member "Pudo" who did very well. He took a 1st in the cranberry wine category and 3rd in cherry. Possibly others - they won't post official results for a few days. I had two 2nd place winners and a 3rd place in white wine.
Competition was tough this year. I don't know how many entries there were altogether, but I stood there and counted cases of bottles, and by my count there had to be more than 400 entries. By comparison, the first time I participated was 5 years ago and I seem to recall about 150 entries at that time. I talked to quite a few first time participants yesterday too.
They've got an impressive new "Minnesota Wine Country" display in the Horticulture pavillion. I'll post some fair photos tonight in the Minnesota section of the forum.
Steve Kroll
President, Purple Foot Winemaking Club
"41 Years of Fine Winemaking"
www.purplefoot.org
Wine a little... and you'll feel much better!
#4
Northern Winos
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Posted 22 August 2008 - 06:58 AM
Congratulations on your wins at the Minnesota State Fair...
Now, please tell...where is the Minnesota section of the Forum????
Now, please tell...where is the Minnesota section of the Forum????
#5
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Posted 22 August 2008 - 08:21 AM
Actually Pudo did very well. They posted the results this morning. His haul:
It's in the seldom used "Wine Clubs" part of the forum. Every so often someone needs to go back there and dust off the cobwebs.
http://www.winepress...hp?showforum=83
- 1st - sparkling wine, 100% MN fruit
- 1st - any other berry
- 2nd - sparkling wine, any other source
- 3rd - cherry wine
- 3rd - dessert wine
QUOTE
Now, please tell...where is the Minnesota section of the Forum????
It's in the seldom used "Wine Clubs" part of the forum. Every so often someone needs to go back there and dust off the cobwebs.
http://www.winepress...hp?showforum=83
Steve Kroll
President, Purple Foot Winemaking Club
"41 Years of Fine Winemaking"
www.purplefoot.org
Wine a little... and you'll feel much better!
#6
IVAN Z
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Posted 22 August 2008 - 10:05 AM
QUOTE (NorthernWiner @ Aug 22 2008, 09:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Actually Pudo did very well. They posted the results this morning. His haul:
It's in the seldom used "Wine Clubs" part of the forum. Every so often someone needs to go back there and dust off the cobwebs.
http://www.winepress...hp?showforum=83
- 1st - sparkling wine, 100% MN fruit
- 1st - any other berry
- 2nd - sparkling wine, any other source
- 3rd - cherry wine
- 3rd - dessert wine
It's in the seldom used "Wine Clubs" part of the forum. Every so often someone needs to go back there and dust off the cobwebs.
http://www.winepress...hp?showforum=83
Steve i noticed that i put my wines into the MGGA MN category. I thought this was the grown in mn category. what is it then?
#7
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Posted 22 August 2008 - 10:28 AM
QUOTE (IVAN Z @ Aug 22 2008, 11:37 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Steve i noticed that i put my wines into the MGGA MN category. I thought this was the grown in mn category. what is it then?
You did? The MGGA (Minnesota Grape Growers Association) contests are special categories for commercial growers and winemakers... although I don't believe anyone else is prohibited from entering, provided that 100% of the fruit is grown in MN.
There are also "100% Minnesota Fruit" categories in the amateur wine class. That's where I assumed you had entered your wines.
You must have had to do some extra paperwork for the commercial class.
Steve Kroll
President, Purple Foot Winemaking Club
"41 Years of Fine Winemaking"
www.purplefoot.org
Wine a little... and you'll feel much better!
#8
IVAN Z
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Posted 22 August 2008 - 11:11 AM
QUOTE (NorthernWiner @ Aug 22 2008, 12:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
You did? The MGGA (Minnesota Grape Growers Association) contests are special categories for commercial growers and winemakers... although I don't believe anyone else is prohibited from entering, provided that 100% of the fruit is grown in MN.
There are also "100% Minnesota Fruit" categories in the amateur wine class. That's where I assumed you had entered your wines.
You must have had to do some extra paperwork for the commercial class.
There are also "100% Minnesota Fruit" categories in the amateur wine class. That's where I assumed you had entered your wines.
You must have had to do some extra paperwork for the commercial class.
Yes but none of the paperwork said anything about non armature or wineries only. Just MN grown grapes. Brix, ph acid ECT...
#9
NorthernWiner
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Posted 22 August 2008 - 11:59 AM
Ivan, I checked and technically there's nothing wrong with entering in the MGGA categories. According to the rules:
It's an open section, meaning that anyone can enter, but since they also have the same categories in the "amateur only" section, what you normally find is that the amateurs enter in the amateur section so they aren't competing with the professionals.
That being said, last year a member of our winemaking club, Gordon Rouse, an amateur (but who's also a certified AWS judge), won the MGGA red wine category. So I know it can be done - it's just a lot tougher is all.
But I certainly commend you for entering.
"In order to encourage greater exploration of wine making styles and techniques using grape varieties grown in Minnesota, the MGGA has decided to sponsor an additional section to the State Fair's annual wine contest. All Minnesota winemakers (commercial as well as amateur; MGGA members and nonmembers) are encouraged to submit wines. Participants will be required to submit a data sheet that describes their wine making protocol for each wine entered."
It's an open section, meaning that anyone can enter, but since they also have the same categories in the "amateur only" section, what you normally find is that the amateurs enter in the amateur section so they aren't competing with the professionals.
That being said, last year a member of our winemaking club, Gordon Rouse, an amateur (but who's also a certified AWS judge), won the MGGA red wine category. So I know it can be done - it's just a lot tougher is all.
But I certainly commend you for entering.
Steve Kroll
President, Purple Foot Winemaking Club
"41 Years of Fine Winemaking"
www.purplefoot.org
Wine a little... and you'll feel much better!
#10
Little Blind Guy
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Posted 22 August 2008 - 01:04 PM
Congratulations Steve and everyone else who won.
Great job!
Great job!
#11
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Posted 22 August 2008 - 03:40 PM
A few fair photos...
This is the entrance to the new "Minnesota Wine Country" pavillion in the horticulture building. They have a bar that serves samples of locally made wines, paired with different foods. They also serve wine ice cream.
2008MNSF_WineCountryExt.jpg 118.52K
26 downloads
Interior of the pavillion
2008MNSF_WineCountryInt.jpg 131.93K
28 downloads
Judging of the finalists in the wine competition
2008MNSF_Finalists.jpg 134.77K
36 downloads
And my favorite... weird food on a stick!
2008MNSF_StickFood.jpg 120.06K
25 downloads
This is the entrance to the new "Minnesota Wine Country" pavillion in the horticulture building. They have a bar that serves samples of locally made wines, paired with different foods. They also serve wine ice cream.
2008MNSF_WineCountryExt.jpg 118.52K
26 downloadsInterior of the pavillion
2008MNSF_WineCountryInt.jpg 131.93K
28 downloadsJudging of the finalists in the wine competition
2008MNSF_Finalists.jpg 134.77K
36 downloadsAnd my favorite... weird food on a stick!
2008MNSF_StickFood.jpg 120.06K
25 downloads
Steve Kroll
President, Purple Foot Winemaking Club
"41 Years of Fine Winemaking"
www.purplefoot.org
Wine a little... and you'll feel much better!
#12
pudo
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Posted 24 August 2008 - 11:31 AM
Thank you Steve for helping me enter my wines this year! Also, good job on your ribbons... I think there's a mistake though....Maybe they mixed me up with another Dustin Anderson from Duluth MN that makes the same wines? I should never have won 5 ribbons 
Besides last years one blue ribbon, that only ribbon ive ever won in my life was at vacation bible camp when I was 12. And you get a ribbon just for being there.
Thanks again Steve, See you at the fair sunday if you are there!
Besides last years one blue ribbon, that only ribbon ive ever won in my life was at vacation bible camp when I was 12. And you get a ribbon just for being there.
Thanks again Steve, See you at the fair sunday if you are there!
#13
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Posted 24 August 2008 - 07:39 PM
Congrats Pudo!! If you get the urge to share those ribbon winning wines remember that I'm only a few hours west of you.
what's brewing; 13gal local plum_12gal crabapple_6gal red raspberry_10gal local grape
#14
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Posted 24 August 2008 - 07:44 PM
Dustin, judging from your cranberry wine, which I tried tonight, I'm sure the five ribbons were deserved. Most cranberry wine I've had is so tart it puckers you up like a newborn calf trying to nurse, but yours is great... a real easy drinker.
Steve Kroll
President, Purple Foot Winemaking Club
"41 Years of Fine Winemaking"
www.purplefoot.org
Wine a little... and you'll feel much better!
#15
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Posted 25 August 2008 - 06:07 AM
Hey thanks for the comments on that wine... It's one of everyone's favorites, yet last year at the fair they gave it low marks. They also disqualified my Blueberry-Vanilla, which was so good my friends were about to petition Mcdonalds to have it on their menu...
I've been gettin a little burnt out on wine this last year... then I met the woman of my dreams, and she doesnt enjoy ANY wine, let alone maybe a light beer once a month. It's been a tough balance, but she sees my passion for it as of now and lets me play in the "winery" once in a while still.
Any advice?
I've been gettin a little burnt out on wine this last year... then I met the woman of my dreams, and she doesnt enjoy ANY wine, let alone maybe a light beer once a month. It's been a tough balance, but she sees my passion for it as of now and lets me play in the "winery" once in a while still.
Any advice?
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