CORNING, N.Y. -- Wine aficionados from across the country couldn't miss the third annual Golden Nose Awards at the Corning Museum of Glass.
"First year, I was like a sponge, I absorbed everything. This year, I'm being a little more precise,” said Jenny Downham, of Michigan.
"It's really hands on, learning all of the dynamics of tasting wine; you’re getting educational seminars from the top wine makers in the region,” said Finger Lakes Wine Country President Morgan McLaughlin.
Sixty judges had the honor of choosing from 320 different wines from the Finger Lakes Region.
However, there's something different spectators may have noticed this year. Rather than bringing in professional tasters, competition officials swapped them for real critics like you.
"Very often wine competitions award the medals from a critics perspective. This is really about making the wine accessible to those who drink it,” said McLaughlin.
The Finger Lakes region produces some of the best wine in the country, and this weekend, vineyards put their products to the test, competing for the public's approval. Our Mariah Sparks has more, from the Golden Nose Awards.
Dedicated wine fans-turned amateur critics had to undergo training of the wine senses of sight, smell, swirl and savor.
"Very nice, a little minerally, very nice,” said Meredith Race, Penn Yan resident.
"It was lacking something, I wanted something more,” said Luke Leidenfrost, a Missouri resident.
“You're always judging wine, even when your at home, someone else's house, technically your judging wine. Your tasting it, do you like it, don't you like it, now it matters, now it counts,” said Kevin Sorenson, Pennsylvania resident.
The judges hope to remember all of the techniques when they leave.
"I think at the end of the day I'll just want to drink wine that I like and not be so judgmental. But it's been a great day of learning,” said Carol Wilson, Geneva resident.
The 60 judges pick their favorites Saturday night. News 10 Now will have the winners for you on Sunday.