(CharlotteObserver) - North Carolina has made huge strides in wine over the last decade. Our state is now home to 115 wineries and ranks 10th nationally in the production of wine and grapes. Yet North Carolina wines don’t get the attention of many “serious” wine drinkers. Last week, a panel of judges met to taste and evaluate wines for the N.C. State Fair Wine Competition. The panel included viticulturalists, fermentation scientists and professional beverage buyers. And me.