General Rules to Wine Competition

1. Entries in all categories and classifications are open to all nations unless otherwise stated. An entry consists of: 750 ml or larger – 6 bottles; 500 ml – 9 bottles; 350 ml – 12 bottles.

2. All entries must be on official forms furnished by the Long Beach Grand Cru, properly filled in and signed, and must reach the Grand Cru office before the specified entry closing date. Entry fees must be enclosed with entry form. The form may be photocopied or downloaded from here (click for form). If more than one page or winery entered, photocopy or download the form as many times as necessary.

3. After an entry is made, the entry fee will not be refunded.

4. Wines entered that are eligible in more than one category/classification shall be entered and judged in the classification for which it best qualifies. Wines not properly entered may be placed in the proper class based on the decision of the Chief Judge. Designate Alcohol and Residual Sugar level as a percentage.

5. All medal-winning wines from this year’s competition will be featured at the public tasting on August 16, 2008.

6. Cases of wine sent by mail, freight or express must be prepaid. No wines will be accepted for which carrier charges have not been prepaid.

7. Eligibility: wine or brandy produced on bonded premises. All wine exhibited must conform to BATF regulations and standards of identity.

8. Shipping: Wines will be received from March 21 through June 16 2008. (Enclose a copy of the entry form – see “How to Enter.”) Shipments will be received any weekday 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. All wines entered must be shipped prepaid to Long Beach Grand Cru, c/o Pageantry Event Services, Attention: Steve McAllister, Downey Studios, 12214 Lakewood Blvd., Downey, CA 90242.

9. Please mark the name of the winery in large, clear, legible letters on the outside of each case.

10. The Long Beach Grand Cru offers Sweepstakes, Chairman's Best of Class, Gold, Silver and Bronze medals where warranted. We have learned that many wineries prefer a certificate only instead of a bronze medal, which they use for archival purposes. The wineries indicated they want to offer the cost savings to the charity supported by the "Grand Cru" * the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles. Please indicate on the entry form if you would like to receive a bronze medal or certificate.

11. All wines entered in the competition will become the property of the Long Beach Grand Cru.

12. The Long Beach Grand Cru management or its Board of Directors is not responsible for errors in entries. No winery shall be entitled to an award which has been disallowed as a result of the winery’s error.

13. Wineries/entries found in violation of rules or ethical practices will forfeit awards and other privileges as deemed appropriate by the Long Beach Grand Cru management and the Chief Judge.

The judging process is structured as a double-blind and follows the concepts found in "Wines: Their Sensory Evaluation", by Amerine and Roessler. Each entry is assigned its own number which identifies the wine from start to finish no matter how many times it may be judged. In the event a winery lists an incorrect classification for their entry the Chairman of the Competition will move it to the correct classification.

The number of panels is determined by the number of wines entered. A panel consists of four (4) judges who evaluate the wines assigned to them by vintage, type, style, class, and wine making techniques. Each panel member judges approximately 120 wines per day. The flights are structured so that each panel has a variety of white and red wines to avoid palate fatigue. Wines are not judged in price categories as judges may be swayed which could lead to faulty results. Judges are asked to pay attention to all styles of wine and to award medals based not only on power but to consider sublety, delicacy, varietal character, terroir and breeding. The judges discuss their findings and a vote is taken to determine if the wine is worthy of a medal. The judges' decision is final and results are never altered when this decision is made. It is during this process that a determination is made to award Gold, Silver, Bronze or Chairman's Best of Class medal and a Sweepstakes nomination.

There are five awards given in the Sweepstakes category: BEST sparkling, white, red, rose, and dessert wine. Wines nominated for the Sweepstakes award are served to all the judges.

Note: Fund-raising is a critical factor of the Long Beach Grand Cru. Funds raised benefit the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, Long Beach Office which provides legal help for low income and poor people in civil matters only. Wines not used in the competition will be featured in the public tasting. To avoid running short of award-winning wines at the public tasting, we request that medal winners make an additional donation of wine to allow your wine and winery to be seen and experienced by the approximately 1,400 guest who attend. We recommend you send a winery representative to pour or we can assign a volunteer pourer. All remaining wine after the public tasting will be used for charitable Fund-raising and marketing benefits throughout the following year.