Royal Wine Competition calls for entries

Ontario wineries are invited to put their best vintages to the test

TORONTO, July 3, 2015 /CNW/ - The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is aiming to tap into the competitive spirit of Ontario wineries and shine a spotlight on their top vintages.

As it prepares for its 93rd annual Fair this fall, The Royal is calling for entries in its 7th annual wine competition.

The event, run in co-operation with the Independent Wine Educators Guild, serves up an opportunity for wineries to earn recognition from a judging panel of some of the province's most-respected experts.

"Canadian wineries have been getting a lot of great attention and acclaim on the international stage. This is an opportunity to recognize the finest Canadian wines at The Royal, where we have a long history of celebrating the very best in Canadian food and agriculture," says CEO John Core. 

The 2015 Royal Wine Competition will be managed by the Independent Wine Education Guild, recognized as the premier organization for wine and spirits education in Canada. Its experienced faculty have graduated thousands of students, many of whom have progressed to leading positions in the Canadian wine and spirits industry.

John Switzer, a renowned wine writer, educator and chief judge at the Guild, will oversee the judging panel at The Royal Wine Competition.

Wineries will be able to enter a range of classes for white, rose, red and dessert wines. There will be a Best in Show winner selected for each colour section and an overall Best in Show prize.

Winning wines will be served at dining venues at The Royal and featured at various events during the Fair's 10-day run from November 6-15, 2015 in the Direct Energy Centre and Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto.

Last year's Best in Show was a 2011 Sparkling Pinot Noir "Bubblehead" from Megalomaniac/John Howard Cellars of Distinction, which also won Best White. Stanners Vineyard 2011 Pinot Noir was Best Red, Henry of Pelham Family Estate 2013 Rose was Best Rose and Rockway Vineyards 2013 Vidal Icewine was named Best Dessert Wine.

The deadline for wineries to enter the competition is Wednesday, July 30 and judging will take place on Saturday, Sept. 13.  Entry forms and more information about the competition are available at The Royal's website at www.royalfair.org. Click on the For Exhibitors tab and select the Wine category.

Funding support for The Royal has been provided by the City of Toronto and the Government of Ontario.

About The Royal:

The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is the world's largest combined indoor agricultural and equestrian show.  This year, the 93rd Royal Agricultural Winter Fair runs November 6-15, 2015 in the Direct Energy Centre and Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto. For competition schedules, live webcasting, results and to purchase tickets, please visit www.royalfair.org.

SOURCE Royal Agricultural Winter Fair

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