Hermit Woods Winery is set to challenge the boundaries of wine perception with its upcoming event, the “Judgment of NH,” on Sunday, Jan. 14. This event will feature a blind-tasting showdown, pitting one of Hermit Woods’ acclaimed fruit wines against five esteemed wines sourced from renowned global wine regions. Much like the groundbreaking “Judgment of Paris” in 1976, which revealed the prowess of California wines against French Bordeaux, this tasting aims to explore whether attendees can distinguish a Hermit Woods fruit wine from classic vinifera wines of the world.

Hosted by Founder and Winemaker Ken Hardcastle alongside Founder Bob Manley, the event will unfold at The Loft at Hermit Woods Winery. Participants will receive guidance on wine appreciation and judging, employing a classic 20-point scoring system. Engaging in a blind tasting, guests will sample six wines and are tasked with scoring, identifying their preferred wine, and discerning the non-grape-based wine, if possible.

Following the tasting, attendees are invited to enjoy a glass of wine complemented by a selection of cheese and charcuterie from Hermit Woods Winery’s eatery. The event runs from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm.

Bob Manley, a founding partner at Hermit Woods, highlighted the event’s intent: “We aim for a fun and educational experience. We’re confident in our fruit wine’s ability to compete on a global scale. However, we’re trusting our customers to be the ultimate judge.”

Tickets for this distinctive event are priced at $35 per person (with a 20% discount for wine club members) and can be purchased at hermitwoods.com/events/the-judgment-of-nh-a-blind-wine-tasting-event. Seating is limited to 35 attendees.