Geja’s Café’s 33rd Annual Professional/Amateur Wine Tasting Contest November 5, 2006

It’s the Olympics of wine tasting –an intense battle of the grapes—and the oldest event of its kind in the country. It’s Geja’s Café’s 33rd Annual Professional/Amateur Wine tasting Contest. At the event on Sunday, November 5th at 1 p.m., wine quaffers from around the Chicago area are invited to Geja’s Cafe, 340 West Armitage Ave., to test their taste buds against experts and amateurs alike. Armed only with their senses of taste, sight and smell, they’ll discover who reigns as this year’s “gold medalist” and what it takes to be a tasting champion.

The event begins with all participants in both professional and amateur divisions rolling up their sleeves and preparing their noses and tongues. At the stroke of 1:00, the test commences: Eight unmarked carafes of wine are placed before the competitors and the tasting starts.

Participants are challenged to identify the grape, place of origin and vintage of each wine. Is it French? Italian? Californian? A ’99 Merlot, perhaps? Maybe a ’97 Cabernet? The tension mounts as the clock ticks down the hour allotted.

“The world of wine is as diverse as the countries on the planet,” says John Davis, proprietor of Geja’s Café and 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 vintages.”

Engraved crystal decanters will be awarded to the winners in each division. To enter, contestants pay an entrance fee of $17 and must be 21 years of age or older.

Known for romantic fondue dining—food one prepares and shares—and an extensive list of moderately priced wines, Geja’s Café features more than 20 combinations of fondue entrees, as well as traditional cheese fondue and chocolate dessert fondue. An enchanting wine cellar atmosphere, private booths and candlelight contribute to the intimate surroundings. Hours for Geja’s Café are Monday through Thursday, 5 – 10:00 p.m.; Friday, 5 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.; Saturday, 5 p.m. to midnight; and Sunday 4:30-9:30 p.m. Valet available. For information or reservations, please call 773-281-9101 or visit www.gejascafe.com.

Official Website: http://www.gejascafe.com