State Fair adding contest for cold-weather wines

Cold-weather winemakers will face off at the 2009 Minnesota State Fair in a new professionally judged international wine competition.

The Minnesota Grape Growers Association, the State Fair and the University of Minnesota are partnering to present the new competition. The university developed several of the cold-hardy grapes that local winemakers use.

Judges will do a blind tasting of the wines before the State Fair begins, awarding gold, silver and bronze medals. The winning wines will be displayed at the fair.

“Cold-hardy wine grapes represent a niche agriculture market with significant economic potential for the Midwest,” Minnesota Grape Growers Association President Thomas Martell said in a statement. “A professional international competition spotlighting these varieties will accelerate consumer awareness and acceptance of these new wines. It will also encourage winemakers to develop and market high-quality wines featuring these new varieties.”