We are now accepting submissions for our 11th Annual Best of the Northwest! After hosting the competition for 10 years, we thought it time to do a deep dive into the competition process and give it a refresh based on learned experiences and feedback from producers and judges. So NEW this year:
- No more waiting months to find out the results. The Best of the Northwest for each specific beverage category will be digitally released within 30 days of the competition to our 40,000+ followers and opt-in subscribers. The quick turnaround should allow for product inventory to be more readily available for Sip Magazine readers to try. Additionally, the full list of winners will be featured in the annual print issue of Sip out in January.
- Tasting Notes will be provided for each product submitted; this will give you feedback from the judging team that blindly tasted your product.
As in previous years, all submissions will be tasted blind, by a panel of the Northwest’s top palates made up of sommeliers, wine buyers, producers and wine industry professionals. The top four from each category will be awarded Platinum, Double Gold, Gold or Silver. The larger categories will have Judges’ Picks which are the next highest-ranking beverages after the four medalists (Platinum, Double Gold, Gold and Silver). At the end of the competition readers will gain further insight to the Pacific Northwest craft beverage scene and an expertly curated shopping list of what to drink for the next year.
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To submit wines to the 2022 Best of the NW, please follow the rules below:
1. Cost of entry is $75 for each individual product submission. Payment is accepted by credit card when submitting via the Enofile software or by check via mail to 1335 N. Northlake Way, Suite 101, Seattle, WA 98103. All applicable submission fees must be paid in full by Tuesday, September 13 to be entered in the judging.
2. Please submit your wine by clicking HERE (or by copying the link below into your browser**). If paying with a credit card, you will pay here. The submission will not be entered in the judging unless the Enofile form is completed.
3. Send three (3) samples of each submission of 750ml or four (4) samples of each submission of 500ml or less. For dessert wines, send two (2) samples of each.
For canned wines, send four (4) samples of each.
4. List the price of the product based on suggested retail price before taxes.
5. The product must be currently available through the calendar year of 2022.
6. All products must be produced in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana or British Columbia with fruit grown in one of those regions/states.
7. Submission receiving deadline is Tuesday, September 13th, 2022.
*Submission form and Credit card payment link: CLICK HERE or copy the link into your browser https://enofileonline.com/landing.aspx?competitionID=2877
** NOTE: If you are submitting through the Wine Growers British Columbia (WGBC) Consolidation Program, please reach out to them directly for submission requirements and deadlines. Click here for details.
THE 2022 CATEGORIES* ARE:
Red Wines
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Sauvignon
Carménère *New Category
Grenache
Malbec
Merlot
Nebbiolo *New Category
Petit Verdot
Petit Sirah *New Category
Pinot Noir
Red Blend – GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre) *New Category
Red Blend – Bordeaux-style – Cabernet Leads (a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and/or Carménère) *New Category
Red Blend – Bordeaux-style – Merlot Leads (a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and/or Carménère *New Category
Red Blend – Bordeaux-style – Other BDX Style grape Leads (a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and/or Carménère *New Category
Red Blend – Proprietary (a blend that uses red varieties that originated from all over, “a kitchen sink” blend)
Red Blend – Rhone-style (a blend of the red grapes of Rhone Valley origin; Syrah, Mourvèdre, Grenache, Counoise, etc.)
Red Single Varietal (Dolcetto, Barbera, Gamay Noir, etc.)
Sangiovese
Syrah
Tempranillo
White Wines
Albariño
Chardonnay — Oaked
Chardonnay — Unoaked
Chenin Blanc
Gewürztraminer
Grüner Vetliner
Pinot Blanc
Pinot Gris/Grigio
Riesling
Roussanne
Sauvignon Blanc
Viognier
White Blend
White Single Varietal (Semillon, Madeleine Angevine, Siegerebbe, Muller Thurgau, Marsanne, etc.)
Sparkling Wines
Traditional
Non-Traditional Sparkling
Pét Nat
Rosé
Blends
Single Varietal
Canned Wines
White
Red
Rosé
Dessert
All types (including fortified/Port-style, late harvest, ice wine, etc.)
*Though unlikely for most, all categories are subject to change if submissions are too low or too high. In the case of lower submissions, wine would be merged into an appropriately fitting category; for higher submissions, a category of its own would be created. Additionally, wines submitted into the wrong category will be moved to the correct category.
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SHIPPING INSTRUCTIONS:
1) Carefully package wine as shipping companies are not always gentle.
2) Please do not use packing peanuts or popcorn.
3) Ship all entries to the following address:
Sip Magazine c/o Seattle Wine Storage
ATTN: Best of Wine
9401 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103
For personal delivery, please email Melissa Miller at melissa@sippublishing.com
Sip Magazine is an award-winning publication covering the wine, beer, spirits and cider of the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
