International Aromatic Wine Competition 2015 – Trophy and Gold Winners

The results of the 2015 International Aromatic Wine Competition have been announced. The Supreme Champion Wine in Show was the Marlborough Sounds Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015 made by Jeremy McKenzie of Pinnacle N.Z. and Isabel Estate.

The competition, run in conjunction with the Canterbury A & P Show aims to highlight the best aromatic wines for industry and consumers, and is in its thirteenth year. It focuses on Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Viognier and other wine varieties including Muscat, Verdelho, Arneis, Red, Rose and Sauvignon Gris, made in an aromatic style from any internationally recognised region. The aromatic red and rosé categories have just been incorporated into the competition.

The competition also conducts the award for the New Zealand Young Winemaker of the Year, this year being the second time. Entrants supply three wines of different grape varieties or wine styles which best demonstrates the scope and breadth of their winemaking ability. The inaugural winner in 2014 was Patrick Newton of Mudbrick Winery, Waiheke Island. This year’s winner will be announced on Thursday 12 November.

This year’s judges were Terry Copeland, chair, with Jack Glover, Jim Harre, Kate Radburnd, Petter Evans and Jane Boyle, who assessed 340 wines, yielding 27 (7.94%) gold medals, 63 (18.53%) silver and 149 (73.82%) bronzes, with a total of 239 (70.29%) medals.

All of the medal winning wines will be on display at the 2015 Canterbury A & P Show in the Food & Wine N.Z. Pavilion. The Canterbury A & P Show will be held Wednesday 11 to Friday 13 November at Canterbury Agricultural Park in Christchurch.

 

Here, I list the seven trophy winners and gold medal winning wines. For more information and the full results including silver and bronze medals, go to www.theshow.co.nz/show-entries/international-aromatic-wine-competition

 

Marlborough Sounds Sauvigon Blanc Marlborough

Zephyr Marlborough Riesling 2014

CHAMPION SAUVIGNON BLANC TROPHY

Marlborough Sounds Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015

Mud House Marlborough Gewurztraminer

Left Field Gisborne Albarino 2015

Starborough Family Estate Marlborough Pinot Gris 2015

Soho White Collection Marlborough Pinot Noir Rose 2015

Riesling
Clark Estate Riesling Block 8 2015
Marble Point Riesling Classic 2013
Peter Yealands Riesling 2015
Zephyr Riesling 2014

Sauvignon Blanc
Black Cottage Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Charles Wiffen Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Isabel Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Lawson’s Dry Hill Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Marlborough Sounds Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Saint Clair Vicar’s Choice Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Starborough Family Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2015
The Kings Favour Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Toi Toi Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015

 

Pinot Gris
Aronui Single Vineyard Nelson Pinot Gris 2015
Isabel Marlborough Pinot Gris 2015
Starborough Family Estate Pinot Gris 2015
Tohu Awatere Valley Marlborough Pinot Gris 2015

 

Gewurztraminer
Mud House Marlborough Gewurztraminer 2015
Hawkesbridge Marlborough Gewurztraminer 2015
Crossroads Milestone Series Gewurztraminer 2014
Omihi Road Gewurztraminer 2014

 

Aromatic Red
Brightwater Vineyards Nelson Pinot Noir 2014

 

Aromatic Rose
Soho White Collection Pinot Noir Rose 2015

Other Aromatic Varieties
Left Field Gisborne Albarino 2015
Yealands Estate Single Vineyard Gruner Veltliner 2015

Sweet Aromatic Varieties
Giesen The Brothers Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc 2013
Saint Clair Awatere Valley Reserve Noble Riesling 2013