6 replies to this topic

[WVMountaineerJack]

We got 2 golds for meads this year, one for our pure juice (60% black raspberry + 40% elderberry) plus tulip poplar honey from our own farm and a dried elderberry with tulip poplar honey. One complaint is that WMM seems to miss the uniqueness of the honey source when they record the results. They dont miss the little differences in recording the differences in the grapes used in other parts of the comp but for the mead section honey is not just honey, to bad they dont seem to get that. Did any other WP member have meads in this year? Crackedcork

[Juniper Hill]

Great Job CC! I'm starting to grow elders and am keep to try out some of your recipes.

[Lin Dixie]

Congrats on the medals! That's awesome!

As a beekeeper, I understand your frustration about the uniqueness of the honey not being recognized. I think most people still think "all honey is just honey" ...whether is comes from another country or the winemakers own yard. I hope with more people moving towards local food sources, more people will become educated about the difference, value and quality of what's available.

60-40 black raspberry/elderberry sounds amazing and very unique. :-)

Lin

[Steve mead]

We got 2 golds for meads this year, one for our pure juice (60% black raspberry + 40% elderberry) plus tulip poplar honey from our own farm and a dried elderberry with tulip poplar honey. One complaint is that WMM seems to miss the uniqueness of the honey source when they record the results. They dont miss the little differences in recording the differences in the grapes used in other parts of the comp but for the mead section honey is not just honey, to bad they dont seem to get that. Did any other WP member have meads in this year? Crackedcork

I think it's the lack of knowledgeable (about honey) judges. Palates can be trained, but some of the judges have never tasted varietal honey and know nothing of the sometimes subtle differences. I judge meads in BJCP competetions and very few other judges can taste the differences in varietal honey. You should try a straight sack mead with your poplar honey. It needs considerable aging, but the result is amazing!

[The Jay]

Not to hijack the thread, but where do you find out about wine and mead competitions? I'd love to enter some next year.

[NJvintner]

Winemaker magazine runs the worlds biggest amateur wine competition every year. You can check them out on winemakermag.com Their magazine also list other competitions. Your local supplier of grapes might also know about competitions - sometimes they even run their own competitions - the big supplier in NJ, Corrado's does their own competition. The American Wine Appreciation society also does something in some states.

[geohen]

In Wisconsin there are a few county fairs that have wine competitions. I have been making wine for only a couple years, but I'll have six entries in our county fair this year.