HR0469 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0469 LRB095 12295 GRL 36876 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate D.J. Douglas of Stonefort for winning first place in the red wine category in the Amateur Winemakers of Central Illinois' third annual competition; and

WHEREAS, The Amateur Winemakers of Central Illinois competition featured more than 100 wines produced by amateur winemakers at Alto Vineyards in Champaign; wines were entered by people around the United States, including Texas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky; competitors shipped their wines to the competition and were judged anonymously; there were eight judges, made up of amateur and professional winemakers, wine buyers, and an enology specialist; wines were judged on clarity, color, aroma and bouquet, taste, aftertaste, and overall presentation; winners were selected in red, white, fruit, and mead categories, and one of the four were named Best of Show; and

WHEREAS, D.J. Douglas' first place wine, "D.J.'s Cuvee", is made from 56 percent Chambourcin grapes and 44 percent Norton grapes; he purchased the grapes locally, with the Chambourcin grapes coming from Anders Hedman in Alto Pass and the Norton grapes coming from Matt Rendleman of Makanda; this was D.J. Douglas' first competition; his 2006 batch of wine was his sixth vintage; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate D.J. Douglas on his first place victory in the red wine category in the Amateur Winemakers of Central Illinois' competition and wish him continued success and happiness in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to D.J. Douglas as a symbol of our esteem and respect.