JANUARY 27, 2012, PASO ROBLES, CALIFORNIA ­ The Central Coast Wine Competition has confirmed its complete panel of judges for the 2012 competition. The twenty member judging panel will be led by three Master Sommeliers, one Master of Wine, four major California wine writers and several other members of the wine industry, trade and media.  The competition will be held June 13 and 14, 2012.

Chief Judge Bob Foster, Assistant Editor of the California Grapevine wine newsletter, has over 25 years of wine judging experience and has served as the competition’s chief judge since 2010. “We have assembled a very experienced panel of judges. Collectively they have well over 100 years of wine judging experience,” Mr. Foster notes.  “I am confident that this panel will not only bring to the table a high caliber skill set to evaluate the entries, but will add a marketing element to showcase the winning wines.  Our goal is to offer value to each and every winery that enters the competition.”

The 2012 competition will feature a few changes including the addition of a Malbec class and the spiliting the Cabernet Sauvignon class to distinguish entries with a vintage date of 2009 or earlier from those with a vintage date of 2010 or 2011. The intent of these modifications is to recognize the wide variety of winemaking styles and varietals present on California’s Central Coast.

Online entry forms will be available March 1, 2012. Check back for more information!