The New World Wine Awards have evolved from being primarily a shoppers’ guide to best value supermarket wines to rank with the best competitions, head judge Jim Harré says.
This year the awards not only attracted the largest number of entries, it awarded the highest number of medals. (see winners below)
Mr Harré says the Shiraz/Syrah category was a standout performer with the highest number of medals awarded among the red wine varietals and the second-highest number of medals overall, second only to Sauvignon Blanc.
New Zealand wines took more medals than ever before, with a record-breaking three gold medals for wines from Hawke’s Bay, including the Ngatarawa Stables Reserve Syrah 2013, which was voted by the judges as best overall in the Shiraz/Syrah category.
“The category medals are usually dominated by Australian wines but we were pleasantly surprised to see some incredibly strong New Zealand entries come through this year,” he says.
“The quality of wines entered overall was outstanding. I think this reflects the wine industry’s growing recognition of the credibility and value of the New World Wine Awards, which are judged using the same internationally recognised 20-point system as all other major wine shows.”
The only difference is that all entries must retail for $25 or less and have more than 6000 bottles available for sale.
In previous awards, gold medal wines have sold out nationally within days, giving the awards strong commercial credibility as well among winemakers.
Of the 1165 wines entered, the judging panel awarded 63 gold, 160 silver and 454 bronze medals – 677 medals overall.
The winning red, Greystone’s Thistle Ridge Pinot Noir 2013, was one of eight New Zealand Pinot Noirs that won gold medals, up from five last year.
The top 50 selection of gold medal-winning wines will be showcased in the New World Wine Awards booklet available online and in stores from September 29.
Winners of the New World Wine Awards 2014
Champion
Red – Thistle Ridge
Pinot Noir 2013
(Greystone)
Champion White –
The King’s Bastard
Chardonnay 2013
(Marisco)
Champion
Bubbles
– Lindauer Rosé
NV (Lion)
NBR Food Industry Week
Fri, 03 Oct 2014
Fri, 03 Oct 2014
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Syrahs stand out in gold medal list
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