The trophy winners of the 2017 Marlborough Wine Show were announced at the awards dinner in Marlborough last night. The Champion Wine of the Show was the Villa Maria ‘Single Vineyard – Seddon’ Marlborough Pinot Noir 2015. This is yet another champion award for Villa Maria, who continues its dominance on the show judging circuit.
Of the 560 wines judged, there were 40 (7.91%) gold medals awarded, 115 (22.73%) silvers and 252 (49.41%) bronzes, making a total of 407 (80.43%) of the wines entered winning an award. This high number, particularly for the silvers and bronzes can be attributed to the very high general quality of the wines judged. Of the golds, there were 12 Pinot Noirs, 10 Sauvignon Blanc and 7 Chardonnay, these figures not surprising as they are the strengths of the region. The aromatic wines did not fare well with 2 Rieslings and one Gewurztraminer winning golds, and none for Pinot Gris. There was only one gold each for Rosé and Sparkling, these considered to be strong for the vintage and category respectively.
The judging was held 9-11 October in Blenheim. The chairman of judges was Jeff Clarke who led a team with Catherine Fallis MS and Ralph Kyte-Powell from Australia, and Jack Glover, Sam Kim, Jeremy McKenzie, Helen Morrison, Matt Murphy, Simon Nunns and Jane Skilton MW.
I’m a strong supporter of regional wine shows as the judging focuses on the strengths of the region, and the wines are looked at more closely, with the character of the district taken into account. The smaller number of entries also allows the judges a less demanding schedule. The Marlborough Wine Show, rum by Belinda Jackson and Marg Cresswell incorporate a ‘Legacy’ class which rewards wines with a track record of top performance or pedigree, where 3 wines from within a 10 year period are judged. The show also operates a wine trust, from sales of unused bottles, the funds going towards education and research within the wine industry.
Following are the trophy winners from the 2017 Marlborough Wine Show, with the gold medal winners after. For the full results, go to www.marlboroughwineshow.co.nz
The Trophy Winners
Winemakers’ Association of Marlborough trophy for Champion Sparkling Wine
Hunter’s Miru Miru Reserve 2013
Wineworks trophy for Champion Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Peter Yealands Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Wineworks trophy for Champion Sauvignon Blanc 2016
Lowlands Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016
Ormond Nurseries Ltd trophy for Champion Chardonnay 2016
Isabel Estate Wild Barrique Chardonnay 2016
Ormond Nurseries Ltd trophy for Champion Chardonnay 2015
Villa Maria Reserve Marlborough 2015
De Sangosse NZ Ltd trophy for Champion Riesling
Mount Riley Riesling 2017
Wine Brokers New Zealand trophy for Champion Gewürztraminer
Lawson’s Dry Hills Gewurztraminer 2016
Taylor Pass Honey Company Limited trophy for Champion Sweet Wine
Villa Maria Reserve Noble Riesling Botrytis Selection 2016
Wine Competition Ltd trophy for Champion Other White Varietal
Nautilus Albarinho 2017
Scenic Hotel Group trophy for Champion Rose
The Doctor’s Rose 2017
Classic Oak Products trophy for Champion Pinot Noir 2016
Duck Hunter Pinot Noir 2016
Classic Oak Products trophy for Champion Pinot Noir 2015
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Seddon Vineyard Pinot Noir 2015
Classic Oak Products trophy for Champion Pinot Noir 2014 and older
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Southern Clays Pinot Noir 2014
O-I New Zealand trophy for Champion Wine of the Show 2017
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Seddon Vineyard Pinot Noir 2015
The Marlborough Museum Legacy Award 2017
Hunter’s Riesling 2006, 2012, 2016
The Gold Medal Wines
Hunter’s MiruMiru™ 2013
Totara Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Kaiora Bay Reserve Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Mount Vernon Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Grove Mill Sauvignon Blanc2017
W5 Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Stoneleigh Latitude Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Wairau River Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Vavasour Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Peter Yealands Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Yealands Estate Single Block S1 Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Wither Hills Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016
Lowlands Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016
Tohu Mugwi Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2016
Nautilus Marlborough Chardonnay 2016
Hawkesbridge Reserve Marlborough Chardonnay 2016
Brancott Estate Letter Series O Chardonnay 2016
Isabel Marlborough Wild Barrique Chardonnay 2016
te Pa Marlborough Chardonnay 2016
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Taylors Pass Chardonnay 2016
Villa Maria Reserve Marlborough Chardonnay 2015
Mount Riley Riesling 2017
Sugar Loaf Riesling 2016
Lawson’s Dry Hills Gewurztraminer 2016
Brancott Estate Letter Series B Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Villa Maria Reserve Marlborough Noble Riesling 2016
Nautilus Albariño 2017
Babich Black Label Pinot Noir 2016
Babich Winemakers’ Reserve Pinot Noir 2016
Grove Mill Pinot Noir 2016
Giesen Single Vineyard Ridge Block Pinot Noir 2016
Hawkesbridge Marlborough Pinot Noir 2016
Awatere River by Louis Vavasour Pinot Noir 2016
Duck Hunter Marlborough Pinot Noir 2016
Giesen Single Vineyard Clayvin Pinot Noir 2015
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Southern Clays Pinot Noir 2015
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Seddon Pinot Noir 2015
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Southern Clays Pinot Noir 2014
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Seddon Pinot Noir 2014
The Doctors’ Rosé 2017
