It's the Olympics of wine tasting—it's Geja's Cafe's 32nd Annual Professional/Amateur Wine Tasting Contest, the oldest event of its kind in the United States.
At 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6, people from all over the Chicago area will visit the restaurant at 340 W. Armitage Ave. to continue a 32-year tradition of competition between wine experts and wine amateurs. Arming themselves with their senses of taste and smell, they'll discover who's the "gold medalist" of wine tasters and what it takes to be a tasting champion.
The event begins with participants in both the amateur and professional divisions rolling up their sleeves and getting their noses and tongues ready. Then, the real test occurs. Eight unmarked carafes of wine are placed before the competitors. After tasting, participants are asked to identify the grape variety, place of origin and vintage of these wines. Is it Italian? French? Californian? A 1999 merlot? Or a 2000 cabernet?
"The world of wine is as diverse as the countries on the planet," says John Davis, proprietor of Geja's Cafe as well as the owner of A Taste of California, a Chicago-based wine-of-the-month club. "That's why this contest is such a challenge. It takes a wise nose and an equally sensitive palate to identify these wines."
Engraved crystal wine decanters will be awarded to the professional as well as the amateur winner. To enter, contestants pay a $17 entrance fee and must be 21 years of age or older. For information, please call (773) 281-9101.
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