The Taste NW Wine Awards (Seattle Wine Awards, Oregon Wine Awards and Idaho Wine Awards) is the largest and most prestigious wine recognition program in the state. Our thorough evaluation is of the highest integrity and our thoughtful process provides both our Tasting Panel and entries the best environment for tasting.
Each entry is personally received, reviewed, confirmed and entered into our program matrix. Each bottle is proofed for soundness by a team of certified sommeliers to ensure the wine/cider is true to its’ origin. All entries are checked for bottle variation and tainted wines (TCA, Acetic Acid or Oxidation) are never poured for our panel.
The Wine Awards Tasting Panel features top local and national wine professionals consisting of highly respected Masters of Wine, Master Sommeliers, wine buyers, wine directors, sommeliers and journalists.
Award winning wines must achieve professional consensus where they earn will one of the following awards: Double Gold, Gold, Silver and Bronze Grand Awards of Excellence in their respective price/style/variety categories.
A very special category “Diamonds of The Decade” is an evaluation of red wines from the 2006 vintage recognizing class, elegance, balance and beauty. Much like great Burgundy and Bordeaux wines, the Diamond of The Decade is a salute to longevity and world-class Idaho wines.
The Seattle Wine Awards offers Washington wineries and cideries an opportunity to be evaluated by a Tasting Panel of local, regional, national and international wine industry professionals in a single-blind setting proofed and vetted by certified sommeliers. Each sample has been tasted twice and confirmed sound by our sommelier pouring team prior to being presented to the Tasting Panel.
The Tasting Panel will sniff, swirl, sip, taste, consider and review each wine/cider for aroma, flavor, balance, typicity, correctness, character, complexity and finish. Scoring is reflected in the criteria via a modified 200 point scoring system with the top wines / ciders earning Double Gold, Gold, Silver and Bronze Grand Awards of Excellence. This recognition and subsequent accolades provide substantive marketing highlights and talking points which will further engage your club members, sales staff and tasting room customers alike. Each award-winning winery/cidery will receive a beautiful high-quality foil embossed award certificate and the opportunity to use logos for promotion.
The Oregon Wine Awards offers Oregon State wineries and cideries an opportunity to be evaluated by a Tasting Panel of local, regional, national and international wine industry professionals in a single-blind setting proofed and vetted by certified sommeliers. Each sample has been tasted twice and confirmed sound by our sommelier pouring team prior to being presented to the Tasting Panel.
The Tasting Panel will sniff, swirl, sip, taste, consider and review each wine/cider for aroma, flavor, balance, typicity, correctness, character, complexity and finish. Scoring is reflected in the criteria via a modified 200 point scoring system with the top wines / ciders earning Double Gold, Gold, Silver and Bronze Grand Awards of Excellence. This recognition and subsequent accolades provide substantive marketing highlights and talking points which will further engage your club members, sales staff and tasting room customers alike. Each award-winning winery/cidery will receive a beautiful high-quality foil embossed award certificate and the opportunity to use registered logos for promotion.
The Idaho Wine Awards offers Idaho wineries and cideries an opportunity to be evaluated by a Tasting Panel of local, regional, national and international wine industry professionals in a single-blind setting proofed and vetted by certified sommeliers. Each sample has been tasted twice and confirmed sound by our sommelier pouring team prior to being presented to the Tasting Panel.
The Tasting Panel will sniff, swirl, sip, taste, consider and review each wine/cider for aroma, flavor, balance, typicity, correctness, character, complexity and finish. Scoring is reflected in the criteria via a modified 200 point scoring system with the top wines / ciders earning Double Gold, Gold, Silver and Bronze Grand Awards of Excellence. This recognition and subsequent accolades provide substantive marketing highlights and talking points which will further engage your club members, sales staff and tasting room customers alike. Each award-winning winery/cidery will receive a beautiful high-quality foil embossed award certificate and the opportunity to use registered logos for promotion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why Should I Enter?
A: The TASTENW Wine & Cider Awards are celebrated by consumer and industry alike as the premier PNW wine and cider evaluation and awards program. This recognition offers talking points and accolades that represent the best in world-class Washington, Oregon and Idaho wine, cider, perry, fruit agriculture and viticulture.
Q: How are the Wine & Cider Awards Promoted?
A: Results are published on-line at www.TASTENW.com. Results are sent to local, regional and national newspapers. Announcements featured in Washington Tasting Room Magazine, Great Northwest Wine and Wine Press NW.
Q: How Many Wines/Ciders May I Enter?
A: There is no limit to the number of entries – you may submit wine/ciders from past vintages and past evaluations.
Q: May I Enter Multiple Wines/Ciders from Different Wineries/Ciderhouses on Same Form?
A: NO. Please include One Entry Form per Each Winery/Cidery Name. With thousands of wines and hundreds of entries, this helps us ensure your samples are properly checked, processed and evaluated.
Q: What is a Tech Sheet?
A: Tech sheets provide us with pertinent information such as variety composition, vineyard sources, residual sugar, appellation information, fruits, blends and any added flavors or colors. Please include these with your entries.
Q: How Can I Pay Entry Fees?
A: Pay by check included with shipment (Payable to: CHANNEL ONE PRODUCTIONS) or by Credit Card with On-line Entry at: www.SeattleWineAwards.com / www.OregonWineAwards.com / www.IdahoWineAwards.com
** If Needed Please Mail Checks to: Channel One Productions / 1733 45th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116-1910 **
Q: What is the 2007 Diamond of the Decade Wine?
A: This year we will evaluate Bordeaux, Red Rhone, and Proprietary Style Blends, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, PinotNoir and Syrah from the 2007 Vintage to recognize and celebrate quality and longevity.
Q: May I Hand-Deliver my Entries?
A: YES. UPS, Fed-Ex or Hand delivery is welcome to Esquin Wine & Spirits. Please ensure your boxes are well marked / labeled / identified and secure with tape and include a copy of your Entry Form, Tech Sheets and Check or Payment Receipt by April 3, 2017.
Q: Award Certificates and Medals?
A: Please ensure handwriting is clear, legible and correct. Results are posted June 1. Unfortunately, ‘to err is human’…and mistakes happen. We make every effort to be concise and request your corrections to us by June 10. Medals are not available at this time.
Q: How do I Register for the 2017 Gold Medal Wine Experience?
A: Registration opens June 1 on-line. Space is limited. First Paid / First Reserved.
Please notify us by e-mail when shipping entries and include Entry Forms & Fees by Check or include PayPal Receipts with all wine samples per shipment: wine@seattlewineawards.com