International Eastern Wine Competition
Rules & Procedures
2010 International Eastern Wine Competition
Location: Watkins Glen, NY
Competition: May 19-21, 2010
GENERAL INFORMATION:
The 35th International Eastern Wine Competition takes place May 19-21, 2010 in the Finger Lakes region of New York. Completed entry forms must arrive by April 15, 2015.
OBJECTIVES OF THE EVENT: The IEWC was established in 1975 to judge and promote all wines marketed in the US and Canada and give recognition to the wines produced in the many different wine regions of the world. Today, it is one of the largest and most competitive tastings in North America. Judges are wine-knowledgeable professionals and media specialists who represent major East Coast markets from Miami to Toronto, and include winemakers. IEWC is proudly sponsored by the leading trade magazine Vineyard & Winery Management.
RULES AND ELIGIBILITY:
(1) The Competition is open to all commercial wines and grape or other fruit distilled spirits marketed in the U.S. and Canada. (a) Certain classes will be subdivided by price (not revealed to judges). (b) Certain classes will be subdivided by degree of residual sweetness, and by level of oak flavor to assist judges in their evaluation. Break points in residual sugar percentages are: (0-0.90, 0.91 - 2.0, 2.1 - 4, 4.1) and over. Wines will be presented to judges in ascending order of residual sweetness, as stated by the entrant. CAUTION: Any wine considered by the judging panel to significantly differ from its stated residual sweetness may be marked down by the panel. Please note: residual sugar is notated here as percent of the total, not in g/L (10 g/L = 1%). (2) Products must be bottled or available to the consumer in North America at the time of judging. (3) All products must have their label of commerce attached. (4) A product may be entered in a single class only. (5) Wines entered as varietals must be made of min. 75% of stated varietal. (6) Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc wines will be classed by their relative degree of oak flavor. Please choose accordingly; wines judged as not typical of the class will be marked down. (7) Entry forms or wines which arrive after stated deadlines cannot be guaranteed placement in the correct class or in the competition.
RETAIL PRICE:
Price information required is the suggested retail price per 750ml on the American or Canadian market, whichever is most applicable. Wine available only in other sized bottles should be so specified.
ROSÉ AND BLANC DE NOIRS:
Wines should be <2% residual sugar; blush class should be used for sweet pink wines and those labeled "white" (red varietal).
DESSERT WINES:
Dessert wines are sherry, port and similar types with alcohol over 15%. Late Harvest including Icewines with natural residual fruit sugar Dessert Wines will be flighted by residual sugar with wines of the same variety instead of looking for dessert class for white wines put in the correct varietal class (except "red icewine"; all these varietals use class #399).
FRUIT WINES:
Variety-specific fruit wines are entered under their names, except where sparkling or distilled. Ciders may either be still or sparkling. Blended fruit wines must use class #930. Fruits not listed must use class #995 ("other fruit").
ENTRY FEES:
Fees are $55 for entries sent to either Groskopf or Elmira Distributing (see SHIPPING INFORMATION). All wineries or their agents paying by check must pay in U.S. funds drawn on a U.S. Bank; credit card entries are also welcome.
NOTIFICATION:
Medal recipients will be notified immediately after the competition, not later than June 30, 2010.
INTERNET:
Winners will be posted at www.vwm-online.com. You may link all of your results to your web site for a one-time fee of $55.
MEDALS:
Double Gold, Gold, Silver and Bronze medals with neck ribbons will be awarded. They read "International Eastern Wine Competition" with the name of the medal level. Attracative pressure-sensitive embossed foil medallions will be available to medal recipients for use on their wine bottles in commerce. The foil medallions will be distinguished by double gold, gold, and silver designations. Price is $50 per roll of 1,000.
SPECIAL AWARDS:
Double gold medal wines will be eligible to compete for sweepstakes awards in five broad categories; White, Red, Dessert, Sparkling and Fruit categories.
RIESLING CHAMPIONSHIP:
The tenth Riesling Championship will provide prizes and special publicity for winners of four categories of Riesling; dry, semi-dry, semi-sweet and sweet. The four category finalists will compete for the top Riesling Cup award.
HOW TO ENTER:
Send the entry form first! Fill in the requested information and specify the class for each wine, sign the certification statement below, and fax the form to: 707.577.7705. Then mail your form original with a check or money order (alternatively, entry may be done online); credit card payment must be included for online entries). Make check payable to Vineyard & Winery Management and note "IEWC 2010 Entry Fees" in the memo portion of your check. Entry forms and payment must arrive by April 15, 2010.
Please make copies of the entry form if you plan to enter more than ten wines. Mail entry form with payment to International Eastern Wine Competition, P.O . Box 2358, Windsor, CA 95492. If you have any questions regarding your entry, call 434-293-6230. No refunds for cancellations can be made after May 6th.
SHIPPING INFORMATION:
Overseas wineries: consult with your importer on whether to ship entries to the East Coast or West consolidation points, and be sure to comply with the Bioterrorism Act protocols (see usda.gov for more details). Canadian wineries must arrange for shipping through licensed U.S. importers, or investigate consolidation and shipment through provincial organizations, where available. Please ship four bottles of 750 ml entries, five each for 500 ml and six for 375 ml. This ensures sufficient volume for tasting through the final "Sweepstakes" round,and for any off-bottles. All customs, transport or broker fees for any delivery of wines to the consolidation points must be paid by the winery or their agent, or wines may be returned or refused. Neither Groskopf Warehouse, Elmira Distributing, nor Vineyard & Winery Management/IEWC will accept C.O.D. shipping charges.
WINE SHIPMENTS:
Save a copy of your entry form as an inventory debit memo and for the shipping manifest. We recommend requesting a confirmation of receipt from your shipper. Western and other wineries concerned about reciprocal rules: As a convenience, IEWC is using a bonded California consolidator. You may ship your wines to arrive at Groskopf Warehouse in Sonoma, CA by April 15 at the latest. Otherwise ship direct to the NY wholesaler (Elmira Distributing Company, a bonded wholesaler) with wines to arrive no earlier than March 15 and no later than April 23, 2010. You do not have to be brand-registered in New York.
For specific shipping requirements via private shippers, visit Shipping Protocol for Carriers.
Wineries using Groskopf Warehouse must mark their shipments:
I.E.W.C. c/o Groskopf Warehouse
(BW 5147) 20580 Eighth Street East
Sonoma, CA 95476 800-479-9459
Wines not shipped to Groskopf are sent to:
I.E.W.C. c/o Elmira Distributing
(NYS LL00103 28)
374 Upper Oakwood Ave.
Elmira, NY 14903 607-734-6231Wines must arrive here by April 28, 2010.
For specific shipping requirements via private shippers, visit our website and open "Shipping Protocol for Carriers".
Gain Extra Exposure!
The 2010 Int'l Eastern Wine Competition will be advertising medal winners for the entire month of June 2010 through a link on Food & Wine magazine's website at: foodandwine.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the procedure for home-made wines?
Answer: All other instructions for commercial entries apply, except for two things: 1) non-commercial (home-made) wines must be so identified in the second column on the entry form (or with a Y/N answer on the online entry); and 2) home winemakers may submit one 750 ml sized sample and one 375 ml sized sample.
What class do I enter it in?
Answer: First read broad category headings like “vinifera red (or white)”, “interspecific varietals”, or “dessert, fruit wines” to find individual varietal classes.
1. The wine has two different grapes, each 50%, or it has several varieties.
Answer: Consider the larger category. There are various classes for blends, whether in vinifera or hybrid generic categories (all non-varietal hybrids and labrusca wines use red or white generic or blend options), stylistic blend categories in vinifera such as red Rhone, Bordeaux or Italian blends, white Bordeaux blends, cabernet/shiraz/syrah blends(#370) or “other white (or red) blend” classes. Cabernet/merlot blends should use class #380 or #385 depending on price. All blended fruit wines use class #930.
2. How are apple wines entered?
Answer: There are classes for still and sparkling apple cider, and still apple wine. Apple wine is usually higher than 7% alcohol, and has residual sugar; check the legal labeling parameters for “cider” vs. wine.
3. How many bottles do we need to submit?
Answer. Please submit four bottles of 750 ml wines, five of 500 ml wines, and six of 375 ml wines. The quantity is necessary for two reasons; to replace any bottles which may be corked, and to have sufficient quantity to last through the final sweepstakes round, when all 30 judges are tasting the wines to determine Best of Category awards. Recently, a wine which won a Best of Category award had a corked bottle and barely had enough to pour for the sweepstakes round.
Will unopened bottles be returned to me?
Answer. Vineyard & Winery Management does not have a shipping license for alcohol (only licensed three-tier members are eligible), and does not receive the incoming wine, which is sent to a NY State licensed distributor, Elmira Distributing.
How do I send the wines?
Answer: Wines should be shipped by commercial carriers (not via the USPO), following their protocols for packaging liquid and glass contents. FedEx has a fleet license to ship into New York, and for qualified shippers holding a bonded winery license, FedEx has a protocol to follow that will ensure the shipment satisfies legal requirements as well as packaging requirements. Wineries are asked to contact their local FedEx account executive and apply for the protocol to ensure compliance. We recommend doing this by early March at the latest to ensure meeting the shipping deadline to Elmira Distributing by April 27th (entry forms must be received online or by fax by the same date). UPS policy is to ship intra-state (not across state lines), but does ship intra-state in New York. Please consult other carriers directly for their policies.
Where do I send the wines?
Answer: Save a photocopy of your entry form as an inventory debit memo and for the shipping manifest. We recommend requesting a confirmation of receipt from your shipper. Western and other wineries concerned about reciprocal rules: As a convenience, IEWC is using a bonded California consolidator. If you prefer, ship your wines to arrive at Groskopf Warehouse in Sonoma, CA by April 15th at the latest. Otherwise ship direct to the NY wholesaler (Elmira Distributing Company, a bonded wholesaler) with wines to arrive no earlier than March 15 and no later than April 24. You do not have to be brand-registered in New York to enter.
What is the shipment protocol for Canadian wines?
Answer: British Columbia wines will be consolidated c/o the BC Wine Institute for shipment to the States; contact them for more details. Wineries in other Canadian provinces must arrange for shipping through licensed U.S. importers, or investigate consolidation and shipment through provincial organizations, where available. Entry fees for Canadian wineries have been lowered to the standard rate in view of wineries’ shipping costs. Be sure to get a FURLS number and have your winery registered with the U.S. FDA to comply with the Bioterrorism Act of 2002.
Do I send payment with the wines?
Answer: DO NOT send payment with the wines. Payment can either be by credit card on the entry form, faxed or entered online, or mailed in with the entry copy after being faxed, to: IEWC c/o V&WM, P.O. Box 2358, Windsor, CA 95492. Payment should be received by April 29th. No refunds or cancellations can be made after May 6th.
Customs and Bioterrorism Act information for non-U.S. producers: What are the requirements of the Bioterrorism Act of 2002 and how does it affect wine imports?
Answer: In addition to existing customs paperwork, producers or import agents for all wines entering the U.S. from abroad need to acquire a FURLS number from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (identifying them as a specific producer). This number is then used to comply with the Act: all individual wines and quantities of same must be described on importation paperwork and refer to the FURLS number that identifies the specific producer. This number is available free by visiting the FDA website and registering at http://www.fdaregistrar.com/new1/signup_land.jsp, making sure to read documentation on how to be in complete compliance.
All imported wines must have paperwork filed with U.S. customs on their behalf by a licensed registered U.S. import agent. In addition to the FURLS number above, it is imperative for import agents to file "prior notice" paperwork with the FDA (Food & Drug Administration) and "sample waiver" paperwork with the TTB (Tax and Trade Bureau). We recommend all non-U.S. wineries work through their provincial, regional or national wine promotion boards in the U.S. for the best information on import protocols and whom to use as U.S. import agents.
What if I cannot get my wines through customs?
Answer: Please note that the IEWC does NOT provide customs clearing services and will not accept charges for same. All customs, transport or broker fees for any delivery of wines to the consolidation points must be paid by the winery or their agent, or wines may be returned or refused. Neither Groskopf Warehouse, Elmira Distributing, nor Vineyard & Winery Management/IEWC will accept C.O.D. shipping charges. You do not have to be brand-registered in New York to enter, but the brands must be processed through customs at the time the entry form is submitted to be eligible. If the wines are held up in customs, IEWC accepts no responsibility and will issue no refunds after May 6th.
When will results be released?
Answer: Medal recipients will be notified by mail or fax immediately after the competition. Be sure the fax number and name of person to receive award notice are on your entry form. Results will be posted on this website within 10 days of the competition’s completion (6/5). You may hotlink all of your results to your (brand-specific) home page for a one-time fee.
When will we receive our awards?
Answer: Medals should be received by June 30th.
OFFICIAL CLASSES OF ENTRY
VINIFERA GENERIC & SPARKLING
100 Vinifera Red Blends (Economy)
110 Vinifera White Blends (Economy)
120 Vinifera Rosé (dry)
130 Vinifera Blush/Blanc de Noirs (still)
(white zin: use #295)
140 Vinifera Sparkling (Bulk and Transfer)
150 Vinifera M champenoise
VINIFERA/HYBRID BLENDS
160 White
170 Pink
180 Red
VINIFERA WHITE
200 Chardonnay, low/no Oak to $15
201 Chardonnay, low/no oak over $15
202 Chardonnay, Oak Style to $15
203 Chardonnay, Oak Style over $15
210 Chenin Blanc
220 Gewurztraminer
230 Muscat Varieties (Black: use #397)
240 Riesling dry (0–0.90 r.s.)
241 Riesling semi-dry (0.91–2.0% r.s.)
242 Riesling semi-sweet (2.1–4.0% r.s.)
243 Riesling sweet (over 4.0 % r.s )
250 Sauvignon Blanc, low/no Oak
251 Sauvignon Blanc, Oak Style
270 Viognier
272 Pinot Blanc/Auxerrois
274 Pinot Gris
275 Pinot Grigio (Italian style)
280 Other Vinifera White Varietal
285 Other Vinifera White Blend
295 Zinfandel, White
VINIFERA RED
300 Cabernet Sauvignon to $25
305 Cabernet Sauvignon over $25
310 Merlot to $20
315 Merlot over $20
320 Cabernet Franc
322 Malbec
324 Petit Verdot
325 Petite Sirah
330 Pinot Noir to $20
335 Pinot Noir over $20
340 Zinfandel, Red to $20
345 Zinfandel, Red over $20
350 Sangiovese
352 Barbera
355 Other Red Italian Varietal/blends
360 Syrah/Shiraz to $20
365 Syrah/Shiraz over $20
380 Red Bordeaux Blends to $25
385 Red Bordeaux Blends over $25
390 Other Red Vinifera Varietals
395 Other Red Vinifera Blends
399 Red Ice Wine, all varietals
INTERSPECIFIC (HYBRID) GENERIC/
BLENDS & SPARKLING
400 Hybrid Red blends
410 Hybrid White blends
420 Hybrid Rose blends
430 Hybrid Blush/Blanc de Noirs (still)
440 Hybrid Sparkling
INTERSPECIFIC VARIETALS
510 Cayuga
520 Seyval
525 Traminette
530 Vidal Blanc
540 Vignoles
550 Chardonel
560 Other White Varietal (blends use #410)
610 Chambourcin
640 Marechal Foch
645 Frontenac
650 Other Red Varietals (blends use #400)
NATIVE GENERIC/BLENDS AND
SPARKLING
710 Labrusca White
720 Labrusca Red
725 Labrusca Rosé/Blush
730 Labrusca Sparkling
740 Muscadine Sparkling
750 Muscadine Red/Rosé/Blush
760 Muscadine White
NATIVE VARIETALS
810 Concord
820 Catawba
830 Niagara
840 Norton/Cynthiana
850 Stover/Blanc du Bois
DESSERT, FRUIT WINES
900 Sherry
905 Port (Ruby, NV blends)
906 Port (White)
908 Port (Tawny)
909 Port (Vintage)
910 Madeira
915 Other Dessert Wine (over 15% alc.)
925 Honey Wine/Mead
930 Blended Fruit Wine
935 Sparkling Fruit Wine
940 Cider
950 Apple still wine
955 Blackberry
960 Blueberry
965 Cherry
970 Elderberry
975 Cranberry
985 Raspberry
990 Strawberry
995 Other Fruit
997 Sake
1000 Distilled Beverages—grape
1001 Distilled Beverages—other fruit