The medal results
from this year’s Liquorland wine judging have been released. This year, the show has become the
‘Liquorland International Wine Competition’, recognising the show judges wines
from around the world. Conducted again
in Blenheim, this year’s judging was moved forward to May, rather than later in
the year, helping avoid the congestion of shows that tend to be conducted later
in the year. There were 81 gold, 180
silver and 559 bronze medals awarded by the panel of local and overseas judges
led by the very experienced Mike de Garis
from Australia.
Competition
director Belinda Jackson said “the
overall quality of wines entered continues to improve with less and less wine
faults evident and more focus on fruit quality and winemaking practices”. 61 (75%) of the golds came from New Zealand while 17 (21%) came from Australia. France
and Italy
received one each. Marlborough wines took 35 golds while Hawke’s
Bay received 13 golds. Once again, Villa
Maria dominated the producer stakes with 15 golds, 17 silver and 34 bronzes
across the classic varieties.
Here are the gold
medal winners:
Champagne
Duval-Leroy Fleur de Champagne Brut
Bottle-Fermented
Daniel Le Brun Non Vintage
Gewurztraminer - N.Z.
Framingham
Gewurztraminer 2009
Johanneshof Cellars Gewurztraminer 2009
Pinot Gris - Dry N.Z.
Takutai Pinot Gris 2009
Ribbonwood Pinot Gris 2009
Lawson’s Dry Hills Pinot Gris 2009
Mount
Riley Pinot Gris 2009
Church Road
Pinot Gris 2009
Montana
Reserve Pinot Gris 2009
Starborough Pinot Gris 2009
Riesling Dry - N.Z.
Goldridge Estate Marlborough
Riesling 2009
Spring Creek Estate Riesling 2009
Riesling Medium - N.Z.
Abbey Cellars Riesling 2009
Sanctuary Riesling 2008
Sanctuary Riesling 2009
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Fletcher Riesling 2008
Sauvignon Blanc - N.Z.
Durvillea Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Babich Winemakers’ Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Brightwater Vineyards Marlborough
Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Cape Campbell Marlborough
Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Bloody Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Spinyback Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Jules Taylor Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Koura
Bay Awatere Sauvignon
Blanc 2009
Boundary Vineyards
Rapaura Road 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 3 43 Degrees Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Dashwood Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Villa
Maria Reserve
Clifford Bay
Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Waipara Hills Soul of the South
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Whitehaven Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Chardonnay - N.Z. and
Australia
Clearview Estate Reserve Chardonnay 2009
Stoneleigh Rapaura Series Chardonnay 2008
Villa Maria Reserve Barrique Fermented Chardonnay 2008
Villa Maria Reserve Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2008
Villa Maria Reserve Marlborough
Chardonnay 2007
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Ihumatao Chardonnay 2008
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Keltern Chardonnay 2007
Westbrook Barrique Fermented Chardonnay 2009
Viognier - N.Z. and Australia
Vidal East Coast Viognier 2009
Villa Maria Private Bin Viognier 2009
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Omahu Viognier 2009
Other White - N.Z.
and Australia
Montana
Showcase Arneis 2009
Sweet Wines - N.Z.
and Australia
Forrest Botrytised Riesling 2009
Rosé - Any Origin
Jules Taylor Rosé 2009
Pinot Noir - N.Z. and
Australia
Framingham
Pinot Noir 2008
Lowburn Ferry Central Otago Pi