38th Annual Professional/Amateur Wine Tasting Contest November 6, 2011

It’s the Olympics of wine tasting –an intense battle of the palettes—and the oldest event of its kind in the country. It’s Geja’s Café’s 38th Annual Professional/Amateur Wine Tasting Contest. On Sunday, November 6 at 1 p.m., wine quaffers from around the Chicago area will gather at Geja’s Café, 340 West Armitage Avenue, to test their taste buds against experts and amateurs alike. Amateurs are defined as not having worked in the wine industry for the previous three years.

The event begins with all participants rolling up their sleeves and preparing their noses and tongues. Eight unmarked carafes of wine are placed before the competitors and tasting starts. Participants are challenged to identify the grape, place of origin and vintage of each wine.
The Grand Award for the highest scorer in each category will be an engraved wine decanter. To enter, contestants pay an entrance fee of $20 and must be 21 years of age or older. To RSVP, call Geja’s Cafe at 773-281-9101.

Known for romantic fondue dining – food one prepares and shares – and an extensive list of fine, moderately priced wines, Geja’s Café features over 20 different types of fondue entrees including cheese fondue and chocolate dessert fondue. An enchanting wine cellar atmosphere, private booths, and subdued lighting contribute to its intimate surroundings. Live flamenco and classical guitarists provide romantic accompaniment. Geja’s Café was recently voted the #1 audience winner for Best Romantic Dining in Chicago on www.CitySearch.com. The Chicago institution has been the site of 128,711 first dates and 15,588 engagements and diners have enjoyed over 301 tons of cheese fondue and over 949,899 bottles of wine in Geja’s over forty-six year history.

Hours for Geja’s Café are Monday through Thursday, 5 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.; Friday, 5 p.m. to 11:00; Saturday, 5 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.; Sunday, 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Valet parking is available. For reservations for the tasting or further information, call 773-281-9101.