U.S. National Wine Competition
Greetings from the Chief Judge
U.S. National Wine Competition
Judging: April 9-12, 2012
Registration Closed
About the Competition
Greetings from the Chief Judge
Meet the Judges
Eligibility & Fees (See Rules and Wine Classes)
Rules and Procedures
Promotional Opportunities
Historical Footprint
The history of wine in the United States is almost as old as the country itself. As early as the 16th century, European settlers attempted to make wine from native varieties, only to be defeated by unfamiliar flavors and character.
European vinifera vines were first rooted in Virginia in the early 17th century. But unknown diseases, native pests and harsh climate meant failure once again for eastern grape growers. Earlier, Spanish missionaries had planted vinifera along the mission trail in California, including the Mission grape, a vinifera variety, often credited with giving birth to the California wine industry.
By the early 19th century, hybrid grapes were introduced in Pennsylvania, ultimately surviving persistent vineyard problems while providing the consumer with a wine more suited to the European palate.
Except for a few roadblocks such as Prohibition, grape growing and winemaking moved ahead quickly by the early years of the 20th century, but it wasn’t until the 1970s when wine popularity hit full stride in California. Today, there are wineries in all 50 states, with California, Washington, New York and Oregon leading the way.
In recognition of the vibrant U.S. wine market and the great potential for growth in the future, Vineyard & Winery Management presents the U.S. National Wine Competition, a comprehensive examination of wines from across the United States by a panel of experienced wine judges. Enter your wines now and be a part of the U.S. National Wine Competition.
Sincerely,
Gerald D. Boyd, Chief Judge
BIO
Gerald D. Boyd is a free lance writer specializing in wine and spirits, fine food and travel. Boyd is based in Sonoma County, California.
An avid wine collector since the 1960s, Boyd began writing about wine in 1971 for the Rocky Mountain News, The Denver Magazine and Wine World magazine, while serving in the U.S. Air Force.
Upon retirement from the U.S. Air Force In 1979, Boyd joined The Wine Spectator as Managing Editor and one year later he was promoted to Editor. Boyd resigned from The Wine Spectator in 1983 to return to free-lance writing, a career he has followed successfully since then, with a one-year break as Editor of Wine & Spirits Buying Guide, now Wine & Spirits magazine.
Boyd served as the staff wine and spirits writer for the San Francisco Chronicle, September 1993 to June 2002. His writing on wine and spirits appears regularly on the Internet at Wine Review Online and in Quarterly Review of Wines and Winestate of Australia. He has contributed to The Wine News, Decanter and to trade magazines Vineyard & Winery Management, Hotel Food & Beverage Management, Restaurant Hospitality, Sante and numerous other magazines.
In 2011, Boyd was honored by The Wine Media Guild of New York with induction into the Wine Writer’s Hall of Fame.
Since 1978, Boyd has served as a wine judge at international, national and regional wine competitions and is presently Director of the Best of the Bay & Zin Challenge (formerly the San Francisco Bay Wine Competition) at the Alameda County Fair. He is the former Chief Judge at the Pacific Rim International Wine Competition and Co-Founder and Chief Judge, The Gold Challenge wine competition. Boyd judges often on national panels in California, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington and international wine competitions in Australia, Belgium, Italy and China.
Boyd is an adjunct instructor on wine education at Santa Rosa Junior College and is a frequent lecturer and seminar panel member. He has been honored with induction into numerous wine and spirits associations, including Le Grand Counseil l’Academie du Vin de Bordeaux, Ordre des Coteaux de Champagne, Chevalerie de Vere Galant de Cognac and the Keepers of the Quaich, an international single malt Scotch whisky society.