People's Choice Wine Competition slated for Tuesday

Wine enthusiasts rejoice! The first Capital City People's Choice Missouri Wine Competition is coming to Jefferson City.

The 2013 Leadership Jefferson City class is hosting the event, slated from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Inman E. Page Library on the Lincoln University campus.

Tyler Beck, a member of the leadership class and the mastermind behind the event, said he hopes the evening will provide a different avenue for wine lovers to taste all that Missouri has to offer, as well as make a difference to local charities.

The $20 cost of the ticket goes directly to the Boys and Girls Club of the Capital City and the Samaritan Center, split evenly.

After visiting Napa Valley on his honeymoon last fall, Beck said he thought offering a "People's Choice" competition would be different than a general wine tasting event. The local group has partnered with the Missouri Wine and Grape Board, as well as the Jefferson City Historical Society to make the night special.

Participants will judge 20 wines on a 50-point scale, noting smell, taste, color and overall impression. This is a come and go event, where participants can taste and judge wines at their leisure. Seven wineries from throughout the state will provide selections for the four judging categories, white and red wines in both sweet and semi-sweet, and dry and semi-dry.

"There will be food, music and a special silent auction of rarely seen photos of Jefferson City from the Missouri Historical Society," Beck noted.

Nineteen different prints donated by Brown Printing will be auctioned, also benefiting the local charities. Beck said all the overhead costs of hosting the event have been donated, allowing all proceeds to benefit the two local charities.

"We hope to see this grow year after year and benefit more charities here in Jeff City," Beck said.

The event has already sold nearly 300 tickets, and Beck hopes to sell another 50. Tickets can be purchased from the Jefferson City chamber or at the door for $25.