the_rules.cfm

It is mandatory that you check the list of
 Wine Competition category codes
and include the proper code for each wine you intend to enter.

Entering:
A complete entry is comprised of five (5) 750ml bottles, or the equivalent. Grape varieties, residual sugar, appellation, vineyard designation, proprietary names, retail price and alcohol level must be listed on the entry form with each entry.

Please fill out the entry form completely and accurately. The winery's telephone number, email address and contact person are important. Winners will be notified shortly after the end of the Competition by email, telephone or regular U.S. mail.

IMPORTANT: Be careful to enter each wine in the proper category. If a category does not exist for your wine, leave the category field blank and the Director or Chief Judge will assign the wine to the correct category or create a new category, if necessary, using the varietal composition and residual sugar level as a guide.

Wines entered in the wrong category will be moved to the correct category by the Director or Chief Judge.

IMPORTANT: Enter the wine's name as it appears on the label. The wine's label will determine how the wine is identified to consumers and industry when awards are announced.

Awards:
Judges will award a Critics Silver to wines that demonstrate the high standards of quality and personality that would earn a "buy" recommendation. Critics Gold will be awarded to wines that rise above a straightforward "buy" recommendation. The most profound of the Critics Gold winners will be accorded the Critics Platinum award.

All Critics Platinum wines will be evaluated to determine Best of Show wines in the white, red, sparkling, dessert, rose and grape-based spirit categories.

Best of Show winners will participate in the vote to determine the Wine of the Year.

Entry fees:
The Competition entry fee is $80 until April 25. The fee for late entries is $90.Make checks payable to Critics Challenge. Visa, Master Card and American Express are acceptable forms of payment.

Judges & judging:
Judges for the Critics Challenge International Wine Competition are renowned wine journalists respected globally for their professional tasting skills and integrity.

The 2008 lineup: Michael Apstein; Gerald Boyd; Stephen Brook; Elin McCoy; Mary Ewing-Mulligan, MW; Michael Franz; Paul Lukacs; Ed McCarthy; Linda Murphy; Nick Passmore; Leslie Sbrocco; Bruce Schoenfeld; Marguerite Thomas; and Robert Whitley.

Judges' Comments
Excerpts from the judges' tasting notes will be edited and posted on the website, www.criticschallenge.com, following the competition. Wineries also may request an emailed Excel file that contains all of the CC results, including judges' comments. Please forward requests to criticschallenge@aol.com.

When and where to mail entries and fees:
Mail entry form and fee separately to:

Critics Challenge International Wine Competition
1034 W. Quince St.
San Diego, Ca. 92103

Deadline for entry forms: April 25, 2008
Deadline for wine deliveries: May 2, 2008

When and where to ship wines:

Ship wines to:
Critics Challenge International Wine Competition
Westgate Hotel
c/o Rich Cook
1055 Second Avenue
San Diego, CA. 92101

Alternative entry methods:
Enter by fax:
Attention: Robert Whitley
619-294-4878

Contact Information:
Robert Whitley (619) 804-0371

whitleyonwine@yahoo.com
criticschallenge@aol.com

Competition Director:
Website designed by
Chief Judges:
The Critics: