The results of the International Aromatic Wine Competition 2014 judged over 10 and 11 October have been released. Lawson’s Dry Hills Marlborough Gewurztraminer was judged Supreme Champion Wine in Show from 369 entries. From the wines judged there were 31 (8.4%) gold medals, 88 (23.8%) silver and 173 (46.9%) bronzes awarded, making a total of 290 (78.6%) wines awarded with a medal. This high medal count in the silvers and bronzes especially indicates not only the high level of the quality of the wines entered, but also the good recent seasons for aromatic varieties in New Zealand, and the continued raising of standards in viticulture and winemaking.
The competition is a unique, focussed judging which concentrates only on the aromatic varieties of Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer and Viognier, as well as the less-seen other grapes such as Muscat, Verdelho, Arneis and Sauvignon Gris. It is open to any aromatic-styled wine from any internationally recognised region. The show has now run 12 years under the auspices of the Canterbury A&P Show and the judges chaired by the very experienced Terry Copeland, with senior judges Sam Kim, Kate Radburnd, Jim Harré, Pettar Evans, Olly Masters and Jane Boyle.
Terry Copeland reports the Gewurztraminer class was outstanding. This is the second year in a row that Gewurztraminer has taken the top trophy. Terry also mentioned the Sauvignon Blanc trophy winner, a 2012 vintage wine, indicated the industry’s growing maturity with style development. And the 4 golds in the Riesling category showed a spread from dry, medium, dessert sweet, and the flinty dry Australian style. In number count, Pinot Gris took 8 golds and there were 7 Riesling golds. Yealands, Giesen and Saint Clair each won 3 gold medals.
All of the medal winning wines will be on display at the 2014 Canterbury A&P Show over 12 – 14 November, at which the Riedel New Zealand Young Winemaker of the Year will be announced. A list of all the medal results can be seen at www.theshow.co.nz by clicking here. I list the trophy and gold medal winners here:
Trophy Awards
Supreme Wine in Show
Lawsons’ Dry Hills Marlborough Gewurztraminer 2013
Champion International Trophy
Pikes Clare Valley Riesling 2014
Champion Riesling
Maude ‘Mt Maude Vineyard’ ‘East Block’ Central Otago Riesling 2014
Champion Sauvignon Blanc
The Fuder ‘Matthews Lane’ Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Champion Gewurztraminer
Lawsons’ Dry Hills Marlborough Gewurztraminer 2013
Champion Other Aromatic
Yealands ‘Single Vineyard’ Marlborough Gruner Veltliner 2014
Champion Pinot Gris
Wither Hills Marlborough Pinot Gris 2014
Champion Sweet Wine
Giesen Late Harvest Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Gold Medal Wines
Riesling
Howard Park 2013
Kahurangi Estate ‘Mt Arthur Reserve’ 2012
Maude ‘Mt Maude Vineyard’ ‘East Block’ 2014
Pikes 2014
Saint Clair ‘Pioneer Block 9 – Big John’ 2013
Thorn-Clarke ‘Sandpiper’ 2013
Vidal Marlborough 2014
Sauvignon Blanc
Peter Yealands 2014
The Fuder ‘Dillons Point’ 2012
The Fuder ‘Matthews Lane’ 2012
Pinot Gris
Coopers Creek ‘SV’ ‘The Pointer’ Marlborough 2014
Esk Valley Hawke’s Bay 2014
Georges Road 2013
Kina Cliffs 2012
Sea Level ‘Home Block’ 2014
TattyBogler 2012
Whitehaven Marlborough 2014
Wither Hills Marlborough 2014
Gewurztraminer
Clearview Estate ‘Coastal’ 2014
Lawson’s Dry Hills 2013
Marlborough Estate ‘Reserve’ 2013
Saint Clair ‘Pioneer Block 12 – Lone Gum’ 2014
Viognier
Huntaway ‘Reserve’ 2012
Other Aromatic Varieties
Waimea Albarino 2014
Waimea Sauvignon Gris 2014
Yealands ‘Single Vineyard’ PGR Aromatic Blend 2014
Yealands ‘Single Vineyard’ Gruner Veltliner 2014
Sweet Aromatic Varieties
Giesen Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Osawa ‘Prestige Collection’ Late Harvest Gewurztraminer 2013
Saint Clair ‘Godfrey’s Creek Reserve’ Noble Riesling 2013
Tohu ‘Raiha’ Marlborough Noble Riesling 2013
