Wine Committee

As part of the Rockton Agricultural Society which promotes and supports all forms of agriculture in Ontario; the Wine Committee is tasked with the promotion and support of individuals making their own wine and the industry around that endeavor. To that end the Wine Committee organizes and oversees a yearly competition for people who have made their own wine either at home or at one of the many area wine shops. That competition occurs every October and is part of the Rockton World’s Fair.

For an Individual
For a Wine Shop Owner
The Competition

Why Should You Enter?

It’s fun. Everyone who enters gets invited to the evening of judging which includes a free light buffet dinner and you get to sample the winning wines in each category. Our judging sommeliers are known for their whit as well as their knowledge. It is a fun filled evening.
Throughout the evening the judges and others will provide general hints on how to improve wine making. As for your submission; the competition is structured so that the entries are kept confidential. When you submit; your bottle(s) will be assigned a number that only you will know. That way when the judges make comment only you will know those comments are about your wine. This way it is constructive not embarrassing.
All entrants receive a gift and there are cash prizes for the top wines of each class.

Why Should You Become Involved:

Every wine shop that displays one of our competition posters will:
- Be acknowledged on this web site.
- Receive two tickets to the judging event described above.
- At the judging your support will be acknowledged to the crowd both in print and by the Master of Ceremonies.
- If any of the winners were wines made in your shop you will receive a certificate acknowledging that achievement which can be displayed in your shop.
But most importantly; by supporting the Wine Committee you are helping grow your own industry and client base. – And its FREE.

The categories of wine are:

White
Rosé
Red
Mead
Country
Social
Dessert
Sparkling

Refer to the Rockton World’s Fair prize list for the competition rules and regulations. This year’s competition is here they need to be submitted in September.

PAST COMPETITION

2019 Wine Prizebook

Rules & Regulations

SECTION 82
WINE

CO-CHAIRS: Dennis & Ena Kerr 905 627-5269
COMMITTEE: Jim Alton, Mike & Marie Cowlin, Joe & Terry Betzner, Ruth Lee, Dave & Janis & Maria Leslie, Robert & Elaine Pasuta, Kayla Pasuta-Lacey, Beth Robertson, Michael Tombolini
VOLUNTEERS: Kaitlin Catney, Margaret Tombolini

The Province of Ontario, through the L.L.B.O., has authorized the Rockton Agricultural Society to hold an Amateur Winemaker’s Competition with the co-operation of the Amateur Winemakers of Ontario. For the purpose of this show, provided the rules are followed (note in particular the entry requirements), it will be legal to transport homemade wine from the competitor’s home to the office of the Rockton Agricultural Society.

Rules and Regulations:

There will be a registered judge.
All wines judged must be made by amateur winemakers.
All wine entry forms are to be submitted to the General Manager by…..September 21, 2020.
Late entries will be charged $1.00 late fee per bottle.
All competitors must pay the required exhibitor’s fee of $10.00 to the R.A.S.
When the amount of prize money won by an exhibitor is $20.00 or over, $10.00 will be retained by the Society as the exhibitor’s fee for the following year, and a fair pass worth $15.00 will be enclosed with the new prize book.
A $1.00 fee must be paid per bottle submitted for competition.
Each entry must bear a tag supplied by the R.A.S.
All competitors must comply with all L.L.B.O. requirements.
No wines will be displayed, none will be returned.
Wine bottles must be standard green, clear, or amber, with either a cork or screw cap finish. Non-standard wine bottles will not be accepted.
Volume must not exceed one litre.
No distinguishing marks or labels on bottles.
Entries will be accepted at the Fair office, September 30, 2020, between. 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. No entries will be accepted after this date and time.
Judging commences at 7 p.m. sharp, October 2, 2020. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Each exhibitor may bring one guest. Attendance at the judging is by invitation only.
No single wine may be entered in more than one category. Only one entry per exhibitor per class, (e.g. only one bottle of white table wine per white table wine class).
Judging will be based upon the following criteria: colour, clarity, bouquet, flavour, balance, quality and sparkle where appropriate.
An entry not in its appropriate section will be disqualified.
All wines judged will become the property of Rockton World’s Fair, and will be disposed of according to the L.L.B.O. direction.
Any disputed judgment will result in the immediate disqualification of the disputant’s wine.
Please remember your exhibitor’s number.
If there are more than 20 entries in any one category, the category could be divided and judged into two or more sections, at the discretion of the judge(s). Winners will be picked from each of the sections of the same category.

Special prizes:

White Wine Special Prize: $25 Gift Certificate

Sponsor Main West U Brew Wines, Hamilton

Red Wine Special Prize: $25

Sponsor Don Graham

Champion Best of Show Prize: Gift

Sponsor Dennis & Ena Kerr

Chosen from 1st prize winner in each catagory

Reserve Champion Best of Show Prize: Gift

Sponsor: Robert & Elaine Pasuta

Chosen from remaining 1st prize winners in each category.

Most Points in Wine Prize: Gift

Sponsor R.A.S.

Classes:

1.	White Table Prizes: 1st: $25, 2nd: $20, 3rd: $15, 4th: $10 A wine to be served with lighter flavoured foods. The colour range from colourless to straw or golden. Bouquet is fresh and crisp. Sweetness may range from bone dry to medium. Made from grape or grape concentrate, contains 9% to 12% alcohol. Residual sugar must not exceed 2%.
2.	Rose Table Prizes: 1st: $25, 2nd: $20, 3rd: $15, 4th: $10 A wine to be served with food. Pale pinks, oranges, purples, and light reds are acceptable. Rose wines are light to medium-bodied and have an alcohol content of 9% to 12%. Delicate in bouquet and flavour with a clean, refreshing aftertaste.
3.	Red Table Prizes: 1st: $25, 2nd: $20, 3rd: $15, 4th: $10 A wine to be served with richly flavoured foods. The colour range is from light red through ruby and garnet with the tawny edge of a well-matured wine. Medium to full-bodied with an alcohol content of 10% to 13%. Bouquet should be rich and full. A varietal bouquet is very acceptable.
4.	Mead Prizes: 1st: $25, 2nd: $20, 3rd: $15, 4th: $10 A wine made from honey. It can be flavoured with fruits, flowers, herbs, or spices. There are two main ways to make Mead. One is balanced as a table wine to be consumed with food, and the other is a social wine to be consumed on social occasions rather than an accompaniment of food. Either is acceptable for judging.
5.	Country Prizes: 1st: $25, 2nd: $20, 3rd: $15, 4th: $10 Wines in this class must be made at least 95% from non-grape ingredients. Oxidized and herbed wines are not acceptable. A wide latitude of colour is permissible but the colour must be attractive. The wine should be still; however, where appropriate, a slight touch of spritz is permissible. The bouquet must be delicate and inviting. Sweetness may range from dry to sweet. Alcohol must be in balance with the character of the wine.
6.	Social Prizes: 1st: $25, 2nd: $20, 3rd: $15, 4th: $10 Non-sparkling wines of any colour, body, or alcoholic content. Wine should be drank alone rather than accompaniment of food. Any sweetness is acceptable.
7.	Dessert Prizes: 1st: $25, 2nd: $20, 3rd: $15, 4th: $10 A wine to be consumed with dessert. Alcohol is 13% to 15%. Alcohol is derived from fermentation. Any attractive colour is acceptable. The bouquet is fruity and full. Medium to full-bodied. Sweet and in character with dessert. Aftertaste is clean but persistent.
8.	Sparkling Prizes: 1st: $25, 2nd: $20, 3rd: $15, 4th: $10 Produces small bubbles that rise continuously throughout the duration. Any colour is acceptable providing it is attractive. Clarity is imperative. Dry to sweet wines are acceptable. Light to medium-bodied with 8% to 12% alcohol.

PAST WINNERS OF THE WINEMAKERS COMPETITION