Guys! It's been too long. I apologize for the delay. My full-time career has been rather hectic and it's been hard getting back into the swing of things. It had been over a year since I stopped blogging regularly. And I was recently on a leave of absence due to a life-long disease I battle. Anyhow….
On Saturday, November 10th, I had the honor of attending the Kentucky Wine Association 2018 Competition. Can I just start by telling you how AMAZING of an opportunity this was?!?!?! So naturally, this blog post is dedicated to my friends at KWA & Kentucky Proud.
For those of you that don't know me; I work in the financial industry in Louisville, Kentucky at a large financial institution. I live in Mount Washington, Kentucky. There are no amount of miles I'm unwilling to drive over the weekend for a new wine experience. So naturally, I found a way to make this happen. Nearsighted Destiny doesn't like to drive alone in general. Much less at night. But this was an opportunity I couldn't pass up. I woke up early, put my war paint on, picked out an outfit I could wear to work and then to the competition. I made it to Lexington in under forty-five minutes. Please don't ask how many traffic laws were violated to make this blog possible. *Insert silly emoji here*
When I arrived, Miss Kentucky was leaving the competition. Not only is she absolutely beautiful, she also loves wine. If I remember correctly, she was carrying a whole case. By no means judging. And it wasn't until then that I learned she was employed by the state and her role was primarily to promote Kentucky Proud. How cool?
I was greeted by my new friends with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. Hospitality at its finest, might I add. I was given a brief introduction to all, including the judges. And then I began observing the processes. And well...…tasting! I by no means had the opportunity to visit every winery in the state to date. Not all wineries even compete. But the ones that did, I must say I'm proud to say I'm a Kentuckian! We have Jalapeño wine. That's right... I didn't stutter. And although I cannot try it due to my previously mentioned health condition, I must say I was surprised it was even an option. It would've made much more sense in Northern San Diego. AKA an hour North of the Mexico border. I also had the opportunity to try all of the wines from University of Kentucky. They were not entered into the competition but I will say they make me want to start rooting for the Cats. I'm a Tar Heel fan......
I arrived towards the end of the flights and didn't have the opportunity to interview all of the judges. Yes, flights. Not tastings.... This was no easy task. They had industrial size spit buckets and very little time to recover in between flights. This sounds like a dream gig. But it's no joke. I am by no means a light weight. I can guarantee you that I wouldn't have made it to the last flight myself. And I pride myself on how well I GENERALLY handle indulging in wine and even at times in mass quantities. Every year, I attend an eighteen barrel wine tasting. Which is usually a breeze for me and my fellow wine enthusiasts. To some, designated drivers are a requirement.
The Commissioner's Cup is the highest recognition award across the state. In order to qualify, a wine must be awarded a gold metal in the Kentucky Commonwealth Commercial Wine Competition AND be produced of minimally 75% Kentucky grown fruit. Additionally, the KCCQWC requires that at least 100 cases be available for sell to the general public to qualify.
The winner of the most awards was easily Purple Toad. Likely followed closely by Prodigy simply based on the amount of wines they enter annually.
And the winners are......
Best Rose'/Blush: StoneBrook Winery, Dry Rose
Best Red Wine: Wildside Winery, Cabernet Franc. DELICIOUS. By far the best I've tried thus far in the state.
Best Sweet/Dessert Fruit: Prodigy Vineyards & Winery, Vidal Blanc
Best Boutique Wine: Up the Creek Winery, Burley Blend II 2016
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