
The results of the 2017 New Zealand Aromatic Wine Competition have been announced. In conjunction with these results are those for the associated 2017 Canterbury Wine Competition, and the New Zealand Winemaker of the Year. The competitions are held under the auspices of the Canterbury A&P Show. This is the 15th time the Aromatics Competition has been held and is open to any aromatic wine from any country with the purpose of highlighting the best aromatic wines available to the consumer. The Canterbury Wine Competition results are drawn from the Aromatics judging, and apply to wines entered that conform to a minimum 85% make-up of Canterbury grown fruit. The results are designed to showcase Canterbury wines. www.theshow.co.nz
This year, the competition was judged in Christchurch on the weekend of 7-8 October. The judges were chaired by Jim Harre, with Jane Boyle, Petter Evans, Jack Glover, Simon Nunns, James Rowan and Joelle Thomson as judges. There were 24 gold medals, 59 silvers and 141 bronzes awarded. The Champion Wine of the Show in both competitions was the Waipara Hills Waipara Valley Riesling 2016. The Winemaker of the Year was Michael Wood of Obsidian Winery on Waiheke Island. The wine he submitted were the 2015 Reserve Syrah, 2013 ‘The Mayor’. and 2015 ‘The Obsidian’.
The Trophy Winners and the Gold Medal Winners
I list the trophy winners and gold medal winners from both wine competitions here. For the Canterbury Competition, I also list the silver and bronze medals. For all of the medal results, click here. The winning wines will be displayed during the Canterbury A&P Show in the Food & Wine Village from 15-17 November.
The New Zealand Aromatic Wine Competition 2017
Trophies
BECK & CAUL SUPREME CHAMPION WINE IN SHOW
Waipara Hills Waipara Valley Riesling 2016
CHAMPION RIESLING – Waipara Hills Waipara Valley Riesling 2016
CHAMPION SAUVIGNON BLANC – Villa Maria Reserve Wairau Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2017
CHAMPION GEWÜRZTRAMINER – Saint Clair Pioneer Block 12 Lone Gum Gewürztraminer 2016
CHAMPION OTHER AROMATIC – Left Field Gisborne Albarino 2016
CHAMPION PINOT GRIS – Summerhouse Pinot Gris 2017
CHAMPION ROSÉ – Waipara Hills Waipara Valley Pinot Noir Rosé 2017
CHAMPION SWEET – Tohu Raiha Reserve Noble Riesling 2015
Gold Medals
Riesling
Aspiring Flats Central Otago Riesling 2017
Pikes Traditionale Riesling 2016
Waipara Hills Waipara Valley Riesling 2016
Sauvignon Blanc
Mud House Sub Region Series Rapaura Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Vidal Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Villa Maria Reserve Clifford Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Villa Maria Reserve Wairau Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Yealands Estate Winemakers Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2016
Pinot Gris
Askerne 2017 Pinot Gris 2017
Aspiring Flats Central Otago Pinot Gris 2017
Bladen Marlborough Pinot Gris 2016
Hawkesbridge Marlborough Pinot Gris 2017
Summerhouse Pinot Gris 2017
Villa Maria Cellar Selection Marlborough Pinot Gris 2017
Gewürztraminer
Pioneer Block 12 Lone Gum Gewürztraminer 2016
Other Aromatic Varieties
Left Field Gisborne Albarino 2016
Sweet Aromatic Varieties
Giesen The Brothers Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Tohu Raiha Reserve Noble Riesling 2016
Rosé
The Ned Pinot Rosé 2017
Waipara Hills Waipara Valley Pinot Rosé 2017
The Canterbury Wine Competition 2017
Trophies
MACVINE SUPREME CHAMPION WINE IN SHOW
Waipara Hills Waipara Valley Riesling 2016
CANTERBURY CHAMPION RIESLING – Waipara Hills Waipara Valley Riesling 2016
CANTERBURY CHAMPION ROSÉ – Waipara Hills Waipara Valley Pinot Noir Rosé 2017
Gold Medals
Riesling
Waipara Hills Waipara Valley Riesling 2016
Rosé
Waipara Hills Waipara Valley Pinot Rosé 2017
Silver Medals
Riesling
Equinox Waipara Valley Riesling 2015
Mud House Waipara Valley Riesling 2016
Other Aromatic Varieties
Soul, Waipara Hills Waipara Valley Grüner Veltliner 2016
Museum Class 2011 or older
House Of Ball 2011 Dry Riesling 2011
Canterbury Pinot Noir 2016
Mount Brown Estates Grand Reserve Pinot Noir 2016
Canterbury Non Aromatic Whites
Equinox Waipara Valley Chardonnay 2015
Bronze Medals
Riesling
Wing & Prayer Riesling 2015
Straight 8 Estate Riesling Gold 8 2016
Wing & Prayer Riesling 2016
Sauvignon Blanc
Wairau River Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Pinot Gris
Equinox Waipara Valley Pinot Gris 2015
Mud House SV Have Block Waipara Valley Pinot Gris 2017
Tiki Estate Waipara Pinot Gris 2016
Waipara Hills Waipara Valley Pinot Gris 2017
Gewürztraminer
House Of Ball Gewürztraminer 2014
Canterbury Pinot Noir 2016
Equinox Waipara Valley Pinot Noir 2014
Melness Pinot Noir 2016
Canterbury Other Reds
House Of Ball Pinotage 2015
Canterbury Non Aromatic
Straight 8 Estate Chardonnay 2015