The trophy winners of the 2015 New Zealand International Wine Show were announced at the awards dinner in Auckland on Saturday 26 September. The Champion Wine of the Show was awarded to the Villa Maria ‘Single Vineyard – Taylors Pass’ Marlborough Chardonnay 2014. This label is no stranger to top awards, previous vintages of it, as with most of Villa Maria’s ‘Single Vineyard’ and ‘Reserve’ Chardonnays are consistent gold and trophy winners.
This is the eighth Chardonnay to take the Champion Wine of the Show at the New Zealand International Wine Show since its inception in 2005. The Marsden ‘Black Rock’ Chardonnay 2013 was last year’s winner. In 2013 last year, the Nautilus 2012 took the top spot, and in 2011 it was Villa Maria ‘Keltern’ 2010. The Church Road ‘Reserve’ 2008 was the champion in 2010, West Brook Barrique Fermented 2007 in 2009, Church Road ‘Reserve 2006 in 2008 and the Black Barn Barrel Fermented 2004 were the other champion wines.
Villa Maria featured in other awards at this year’s show. Nick Picone, the Villa Maria Group Chief Winemaker was named ‘Winemaker of the Show’, and the company was named ‘Champion Wine Company of the Year’, winning 4 trophies and 22 gold medals. This is a magnificent achievement, and continues the company’s dominance at wine judging competitions.
The ‘Legend of New Zealand Wine’ award has taken on greater significance at the New Zealand International Wine Show. It is awarded to a person deemed making a significant contribution to New Zealand wine; they received the ‘Sir George Fistonich Medal’. The recipient must be alive and living in New Zealand. This year’s ‘Legend of New Zealand Wine’ is Clive Weston, managing director of the Negociants New Zealand distribution company. Previous recipients are:
- 2014 – Steve Smith MW
- 2013 – Peter and Joe Babich
- 2012 – Vic Williams
- 2011 – Alan Brady
- 2010 – Kate Radburnd
- 2009 – Michael Cooper ONZM
- 2008 – Larry McKenna
- 2007 – Terry Dunleavy MBE, FWINZ
- 2006 – Kevin Judd
- 2005 – Bob Campbell MW
Below is a list of the trophy winning wines. For a list of the gold medal winners and my analysis, click here. To see complete list of all the medal winners, go to the competition website www.nziws.co.nz
Nissan Champion Wine of the Show
Villa Maria ‘Single Vineyard – Taylors Pass’ Marlborough Chardonnay 2014
Legend of New Zealand Wine
Clive Weston
Winemaker of the Show
Nick Picone – Villa Maria
Champion Wine Company of the Year
Villa Maria
EuroVintage Champion Sauvignon Blanc
Vidal Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Procure Champion Chardonnay
Villa Maria ‘Single Vineyard – Taylors Pass’ Marlborough Chardonnay 2014
Kahurangi Estate Champion Riesling
SOHO ‘Betty’ Marlborough Lower Alcohol Riesling 2015
Constellation Brands Champion Pinot Gris
te Pa Marlborough Pinot Gris 2015
Rapid Labels Champion Gewurztraminer
Spy Valley Marlborough Gewurztraminer 2014
Negociants New Zealand Champion Viognier
Babich ‘Family Estates’ ‘Fernhill’ Hawke’s Bay Viognier 2014
Brandmarks Champion Other White Varieties
Yealands Estate ‘Single Vineyard’ Marlborough Gruner Veltliner 2014
Kahurangi Estate Champion Champagne & Methode Traditionnelle
Louis Roederer Champagne Brut Vintage 2008
Federal Merchants Champion New Zealand Sparkling Wine
Verde Methode Traditionnelle Brut NV
Federal Merchants Champion Sweet Wine
Spy Valley Marlborough Noble Riesling 2014
First Glass Champion Rosé
Left Field Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2015
Negociants New Zealand Champion Pinot Noir
Akarua Central Otago Pinot Noir 2013
EuroVintage Champion Cabernet Sauvignon & Predominant Blends
Kirrihill Wines ‘Regional Range’ Clare Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Federal Merchants Champion Merlot & Predominant Blends
Church Road ‘McDonald Series’ Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2013
Phase Strategic Creative Champion New Zealand Bordeaux Wine
Church Road ‘McDonald Series’ Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2013
San Pellegrino Champion Syrah
Coopers Creek ‘Reserve’ Hake’s Bay Syrah 2013
Federal Merchants Champion New Zealand Syrah
Coopers Creek ‘Reserve’ Hake’s Bay Syrah 2013
Riedel Champion International Red Wine Varieties
Gonzalez Byass ‘Finca Constancia Parcela 23’ Tempranillo 2013
Wine Orbit Champion Fortified Wine
Krohn ‘QRN’ Vintage Port 2009
First Glass Champion Commercial White Wine
Church Road Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2014
Constellation Brands Champion Commercial Red Wine
Kilikanoon ‘Killermans Run’ Shiraz 2013
