The medal winners from this year’s national wine competition have just
been released. For the first time ever,
over 100 golds were awarded, a record 102 gold medas across 14 varietals and
classes. In 2008, 91 gold medals were
awarded. Pinot Noir was the most awarded
variety with 19 golds, followed by Chardonnay with 18 and Sauvignon with 13
golds, reflecting the strength and size of these classes.
The Air N.Z. Wine Awards, organized by N.Z. Winegrowers is arguably the
most influential judging in this country, and provides considerable feedback to
our wine industry on its performance; it is a tool that promotes growth in the
very important overseas markets; it provides the New Zealand wine consumer with a
creditable guide to some of this country’s top wines. Environmental issues are a focus of the wine
judging and there are significant awards for top ‘sustainable’ wines.
The full gold, silver and bronze medal results can be seen on
www.airnzwineawards.co.nz and the trophy winning wines will be announced at the
Awards dinner to be held in Christchurch
on Saturday 21 November.
Regional Wines & Spirits will be conducting a tasting of as many of
the trophy winners that are available, on Saturday 5 December, 1.00 pm to 3.00
pm, in the Upstairs Tasting Room. Cost
to attend is $35.00 pp, and places will be limited to 30. Wine judging personnel will be on hand to
discuss and explain the wine judging process.
Click here for more information. Bookings
can be made with Ian on Tel: 04 385-6952, or by email: ian@regionalwines.co.nz
Following are the Pure Gold and Gold medal winners:
Sparkling
Deutz Marlborough Cuvee Blanc de Blancs 2006 (Pure Gold)
Hawkesbridge Marlborough Methode Traditionnelle 2006
Gewurztraminer
Curio d'Auvergne Vineyard Wairau Valley Marlborough Gewurztraminer 2008
Forrest The Valleys Wairau Gewurztraminer 2008
Hunter's Gewurztraminer 2009 (Pure Gold)
Johanneshof Cellars Marlborough Gewurztraminer 2009
Morton Estate White Label Gewurztraminer 2009
Spy Valley Gewurztraminer 2009 (Pure Gold)
Waimea Nelson Gewurztraminer 2008
Pinot Gris
Brightwater Vineyards Nelson Pinot Gris 2009 (Pure Gold)
Couper's Shed Pinot Gris 2009
Dashwood Marlborough Pinot Gris 2009
Riesling
Amisfield Lowburn Terrace Riesling 2007
Bladen Riesling 2009
Bouldevines Riesling 2009
Esk Valley Marlborough Riesling 2009
Forrest The Doctors' Riesling 2009
Glenmark Weka Plains Proprietors Reserve Riesling 2003
Olssens Annieburn Riesling 2009 (Pure Gold)
R.S.V.P. Crosse Vineyard Marlborough Riesling 2008 (Pure Gold)
Vic Williams Selection Classic Marlborough Riesling 2008
Waipara Springs Premo Riesling 2005
Sauvignon Blanc
Catalina Sounds Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Lake Chalice Raptor Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Montana Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Mud House Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 18 Snap Block Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 19 Bird Block Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 2 Swamp Block Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 3 43 Degrees Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Sea Level Awatere Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Stoneleigh Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Vavasour Awatere Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Waimea Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Wairau River Home Block Sauvignon Blanc 2007
Chardonnay
Coopers Creek Gisborne Chardonnay Unoaked 2008
Crossroads Winery Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2008
John Forrest Collection Chardonnay 2004
Kemblefield The Reserve Chardonnay 2007 (Pure Gold)
Mudbrick Vineyard Reserve Chardonnay 2008
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 11 Cell Block Chardonnay 2008
Salvare Chardonnay 2007
Secret Stone Chardonnay 2009
Te Awa Chardonnay 2007
Villa Maria Reserve Barrique Chardonnay 2007
Villa Maria Reserve Barrique Fermented Chardonnay 2008
Villa Maria Reserve Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2008
Villa Maria Reserve Marlborough Chardonnay 2006
Villa Maria Reserve Marlborough Chardonnay 2007
Villa Maria Reserve Marlborough Chardonnay 2008
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Ihumatao Chardonnay 2007
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Taylors Pass Chardonnay 2006
Waimea Nelson Chardonnay 2008
Viognier
Church Road Reserve Viognier 2007
Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Viognier 2008
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Omahu Viognier 2008
Dessert Wine
Church Road Reserve Noble Semillon 2004
Farmgate Noble Harvest Riesling 2007
Forrest Botrytised Riesling 2008
Glazebrook New Zealand Noble Harvest Riesling 2009
Margrain Botrytis Chenin Blanc 2009
Margrain Botrytis Riesling 2009
Margrain Botrytis Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Rosé
Clearview Estate Black Reef Blush 2009
Tarras Vineyards Pinot Rose 2009
Pinot Noir
Allan Scott Marlborough Pinot Noir 2008
Archangel Pinot Noir 2008
Babich Winemakers' Reserve Pinot Noir 2008
Davishon Pinot Noir 2007
Fairmont Estate Pinot Noir 2008
Georgetown Vineyard Pinot Noir 2007
Greystone Waipara Pinot Noir 2008
Julicher 99 Rows Te Muna Road Pinot Noir 2008
Julicher Pinot Noir 2008
Pond Paddock Te Muna Pinot Noir 2008
Thornbury Central Otago Pinot Noir 2008 (Pure Gold)
Valli Bannockburn Vineyard Pinot Noir 2008
Villa Maria Reserve Pinot Noir 2006
Villa Maria Reserve Pinot Noir 2007
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Seddon Pinot Noir 2007 (Pure Gold)
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Southern Clays Pinot Noir 2008
Waipara Hills Southern Cross Selection Central Otago Pinot Noir 2008
Wither Hills Marlborough Pinot Noir 2008
Wooing Tree Pinot Noir 2007
Merlot
Villa Maria Reserve Merlot 2007
Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot and/or Cabernet Sauvignon Blends
Matariki Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Mills Reef Elspeth Cabernet Merlot 2007
Newton Forrest Cornerstone 2007
Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels The Gimblett 2007
Villa Maria Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2007 (Pure Gold)
Syrah
Church Road Reserve Syrah 2008
Coopers Creek SV Hawkes Bay Syrah Chalk Ridge 2008
Corbans Cottage Block Hawke's Bay Syrah 2007
Gunn Estate Silistria Syrah 2007
Mills Reef Elspeth Syrah 2007
Miro Syrah 2008
Mudbrick Vineyard Reserve Syrah 2008
Passage Rock Reserve Syrah 2008
Vidal Hawkes Bay Syrah 2007
Vidal Reserve Syrah 2006
Other Red Varieties
Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Tempranillo 2008
Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Tempranillo 2007