The results for the New World Wine Awards 2015 have been released. Of 1,309 wines from 185 wineries entered, there were 86 (6.57%) gold medals, 236 (18.03%) silver and 483 (36.9%) bronze medals awarded, and in total 805 (61.5%) medal winners. The show results are particularly useful and significant for consumers, as the wines entered for judging must retail for under $25.00, and there must be 5,000 bottles available for sale in the 137 New World supermarkets nationwide.
The wines were judged over 3-5 August in Wellington by a team of 13 judges chaired by Jim Harre. The panel chair judges were Kate Radburnd, Olly Masters, Sam Kim and Simon Nunns, with Dr Rowald Hepp of Schloss Vollrads from Germany as the international judge. The senior judges were Barry Riwai, Dr Alastair Leggat, Jack Glover, Jane Boyle, Jane Cooper, James Rowan and Sarah Burton. The associate judges were liquor managers from various New World stores.
An Analysis
As with the other wine shows open to international entrants, Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz/Syrah were the most successful categories, with 14 and 13 gold medal wines awarded respectively. The Sauvignon Blanc class was dominated by Marlborough with 11 winners, and 9 of the wines were from the 2014 vintage, showing there is still good supply from this bountiful season. The success of the Sauvignon Blanc class shows the ability to make affordable top class wines with the variety. The Shiraz/Syrah class golds were all Australian wines, indicating the depth and breadth and market penetration and acceptance of the style in this country.
The organisers highlight the particular success of the Riesling category, with 8 gold medals, pointing out that there were 38 medal winners from 47 wines entered. 35 of these medal winning Riesling came from New Zealand vineyards. Also notable were the 10 golds for Pinot Gris. This variety experiences up-and-down results from the variation in styles, and possibly from the interpretation of these styles by judges.
Chardonnay was well-represented with 7 golds and Pinot Noir with 8 golds, these varieties notably more difficult to achieve top quality at lower price levels. The good number of golds indicates the recent good 2014 vintage for both varieties, the availability of good fruit, and the increasing experience of the winegrowers and winemakers in producing quality wines at the affordable and of the market.
The Gold Medal and Category Winners
Following, I list the gold medal winning wines by category, and where appropriate, I have put at the head of the category list the winner of that class. For a full list of all the medal winners, visit www.newworld.co.nz/wine-and-beer/2015-new-world-wine-awards/ The website has a number of different articles including biographies of the judges, an explanation of the judging process and what the results mean, and a look at the backroom and logistics of the event. The video clips are particularly worthwhile viewing.
SAUVIGNON BLANC
GOLD & CHAMPION SAUVIGNON BLANC
Rapaura Springs Reserve Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Ara Single Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Awatere River by Louis Vavasour Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Brightside Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Cable Bay Awatere Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Clifford Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Matahiwi Estate Wairarapa Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Mills Reef Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Mission Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015
O:TU Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Saint Clair Marlborough Premium Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Spinyback Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2014
te Pa Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Wairau River Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2014
CHARDONNAY
GOLD & CHAMPION CHARDONNAY AND CHAMPION WHITE WINE
Wolf Blass Gold Label Chardonnay 2013
Dashwood Marlborough Chardonnay 2014
Kahurangi Estate Mt Arthur Reserve Nelson Chardonnay 2014
Kumeu Village Chardonnay 2014
Lawson’s Dry Hills Marlborough Chardonnay 2014
Vidal Estate Series Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2014
Vidal Reserve Series Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2014
RIESLING
36 bottles Central Otago Riesling 2013
36 bottles Central Otago Riesling 2014
Forrest Marlborough Riesling 2012
Giesen Estate Riesling 2014
Mount Riley Marlborough Riesling 2015
Pikes Clare Valley “Traditionale” Riesling 2015
Roaring Meg Central Otago Riesling 2014
Waipara Hills Waipara Valley Riesling 2014
PINOT GRIS
GOLD & CHAMPION PINOT GRIS
The Luminary Martinborough Pinot Gris 2014
Central Schist Central Otago Pinot Gris 2015
Farnese Fantini Pinot Grigio 2014
Five Oaks Nelson Pinot Gris 2014
kate radburnd sun kissed pinot gris 2014
Rabbit Ranch Central Otago Pinot Gris 2014
Rapaura Springs Marlborough Pinot Gris 2015
Roaring Meg Central Otago Pinot Gris 2014
Stoneleigh Latitude Marlborough Pinot Gris 2015
Trout Valley Nelson Pinot Gris 2015
GEWURZTRAMINER
GOLD & CHAMPION AROMATIC
Cicada Marlborough Gewurztraminer 2014
SPARKLING WINE
GOLD & CHAMPION SPARKLING
Hunter’s MiruMiru™ NV
Brancott Estate Sparkling Rosé NV
Brown Brothers Sparkling Moscato Rosa NV
Jacob’s Creek Sparkling Moscato NV
Lindauer Classic Rosé NV
SWEET WINE
Hunter’s Hukapapa Dessert Riesling 2014
Riverby Estate Marlborough Noble Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2013
ROSE
GOLD & CHAMPION ROSE
Arrogant Frog Ribet Pink Syrah Rosé 2014
Passage Rock Waiheke Island Rosé 2015
PINOT NOIR
GOLD & CHAMPION PINOT NOIR
Peter Yealands Reserve Marlborough Pinot Noir 2014
Akarua RUA Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014
Carrick Unravelled Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014
Lawson’s Dry Hills Marlborough Pinot Noir 2013
Sherwood Estate Signature Family Waipara Valley Pinot Noir 2014
The Crater Rim ‘From the Ashes’ Waipara Pinot Noir 2012
The Ned Marlborough Pinot Noir 2014
Tinpot Hut Marlborough Pinot Noir 2014
SHIRAZ & SYRAH
GOLD & CHAMPION SHIRAZ & SYRAH AND CHAMPION RED
Kirrihill Regional Range Clare Valley Shiraz 2014
Angove Long Row Shiraz 2014
Jack Estate Shiraz 2013
Penfold’s Koonunga Hill Shiraz 2014
Penfold’s Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet 2013
Pepperjack Shiraz 2013
Pirramimma Vineyard Select Shiraz 2013
Sister’s Run Epiphany McLaren Vale Shiraz 2013
St John’s Road Blood & Courage Barossa Shiraz 2013
Taylors Promised Land Shiraz 2014
VNO McLaren Vale Shiraz 2013
Wolf Blass President’s Selection Shiraz 2012
Yalumba Y Series Shiraz Viognier 2013
SINGLE VARIETAL REDS
3 Bridges Barossa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Pepperjack Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Rosemount Diamond Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Serafino Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Shingleback The Davey Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Taylors Merlot 2014
Villa Maria Private Bin Hawkes Bay Merlot 2014
RED BLENDS
GOLD & CHAMPION SINGLE VARIETAL REDS & BLENDS
Coopers Creek SV Hawkes Bay Merlot / Malbec ‘Metals and Gravels’ 2013
Church Road Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet Malbec 2013
Taylors Eighty Acres Cabernet Shiraz Merlot 2014
Wirra Wirra Church Block Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Merlot 2013
Yalumba The Scribbler Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2012
OTHER REDS
Brown Brothers 18 Eighty Nine Tempranillo 2014
Chalk Hill McLaren Vale Barbera 2013
Farnese Fantini Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC 2014
Mesta Tempranillo Ucles D.O. 2014
