Sydney International Wine Competition
Trophy Winners – 2012 Competition

New Zealand wine cleaned up with the trophies in the Sydney International Wine. The stars of the show were Trinity Hill, Lawson Dry Hills and Saint Clair wineries. Between them they earned a very respectable 25% of all trophies.

“The Kiwi trophy sweep is an outstanding result for the successful New Zealand wine producers and for the category as a whole, at one of the most respected Australian-based international wine competitions.” said Monty James, New Zealand Wine.

Another great achievement was the success of New Zealand Pinot Noir. All regions contributed picking up 32 of 33 Pinot Noirs awarded Blue Golds.

Monty said of this gold haul “Of the 33 Pinot Noir wines awarded Blue Gold status, 32 were from New Zealand, which is a remarkable result. It is a reinforcement of the country’s exceptional ability to produce high quality Pinot Noir across five key regions: Central Otago, Marlborough, Waipara, Neslon and Wairarapa – all of which are represented in the medal count.”

The highlight of the medal and trophy haul was taking coals to Newcastle. New Zealand managed to take top prize, for a wine variety that has long been the backbone of Australian wine, in the Syrah/Shiraz category.

“But there is more to take from this than the outstanding result for New Zealand Pinot Noir. The dominance of New Zealand wine trophy winners across so many varieties and styles; Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Grüner Veltliner, Pinot Noir, Shiraz (Syrah), sparkling and rose is a striking demonstration of New Zealand’s ability to produce exceptional wines across the style and varietal spectrum. Not too long ago it was only Sauvignon Blanc that dominated trophies in  Australia. Then it was Pinot Noir. Now we’re seeing New Zealand Syrah (Shiraz) win best Shiraz and Wine of Show in one of the few competitions left in Australia that judge local wines against international entries.” Said Monty James.

New Zealand wine accounted for almost 50% of all the trophies. The surprise amongst the groups was Richmond Plains Sauvignon Blanc. Richmond Plains winery is from Nelson. They farm organically and were one of the original organic wineries in NZ.

Joy Lake Memorial Championship Trophy
Best Wine of Competition
Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2010

Perpetual Trophy – Runner Up to
Best Wine of Competition
Penny’s Hill Cracking Black Shiraz 2010

Mark de Havilland Memorial Trophy
Best Red Wine of Competition
Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2010

The Wine Society (Australia) Perpetual Trophy
Best White Wine of Competition
Coolangatta Estate Semillon 2006

The John Marris Perpetual Trophy
Non-Australasian Wine of Outstanding Quality
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOCG Colline Terramane 2007

Chairman of Judges Perpetual Trophy
Wine of Outstanding Quality – Personal Selection
(other than Best Wine of Competition or Runner Up)
Delatite Late Harvest Riesling 2009

Ted Radke Perpetual Trophy
Best Wine made from a Lesser Recognised Grape Variety
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 5 Bull Block Grüner Veltliner 2011

The Wine Society Perpetual Trophy
Most Successful Entrant of Competition
Saint Clair Family Estate

Perpetual Trophy for
Best Australian Sparkling Wine
Deviation Road Methode Champenoise 2009

Kemenys Perpetual Trophy
Best Value Dry White Table Wine
Lawson’s Dry Hills Riesling 2008

Kemenys Perpetual Trophy
Best Value Dry Red Table Wine
Basilisk Shiraz Mourvèdre 2010

Lanson International Diffusion Perpetual Trophy
Best Sparkling Wine
Nautilus Estate Marlborough Brut Cuvée NV

John Ryan Memorial Perpetual Trophy
Best Aromatic Wine
Lawson’s Dry Hills Riesling 2008

Perpetual Trophy for
Best Sauvignon Blanc Wine
Richmond Plains Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2011

Ernie Hunter Memorial Trophy
Best Lighter Bodied Dry White Table Wine
Coolangatta Estate Semillon 2006

Schenker Australia Pty Ltd Perpetual Trophy
Best Medium Bodied Dry White Table Wine
Warner Glen Estate Chardonnay 2010

Perpetual Trophy for
Best Fuller Bodied Dry White Table Wine
Mistletoe Reserve Chardonnay 2009

Perpetual Trophy for
Best Rosé Wine
Lawson’s Dry Hills Pinot Rosé 2011

J F Hillebrand New Zealand Ltd Perpetual Trophy
Best Pinot Noir Wine
Bald Hills Central Otago Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009

Perpetual Trophy for
Best Lighter Bodied Dry Red Table Wine
Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2010

Fesq & Company Perpetual Trophy
Best Medium Bodied Dry Red Table Wine
Palmer Wines Shiraz 2007

Kemenys Perpetual Trophy
Best Fuller Bodied Dry Red Table Wine
Penny’s Hill Cracking Black Shiraz 2010

Myra Lehmann Perpetual Trophy
Best Dessert Wine
Gramp’s Botrytis Semillon 2008

R L Buller & Son Perpetual Trophy
Best Fortified Wine
Morris Old Premium Liqueur Tokay NV

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Written by Jayson Bryant

Jayson’s roots in wine began when his father literally dragged him round France and injected his passion into him. From the age of 8 his family took month long holidays in France travelling through all regions and sampling their wine.
UnScrewed has reinvented the concept of wine tasting in New Zealand and along the way found a new and willing audience. In addition to encouraging straightforward wine tasting, Jayson educates viewers about the effects of regional factors (soil, sun, wind) on wine flavours, and how to buy wine.

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