The trophy winners for the 2016 New Zealand International Wine Show were announced at the awards dinner on the night of Saturday 1 October. The Champion Wine of the Show was awarded to the Clearview Estate ‘Reserve’ Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2015. This wine has also won gold at the Hawke’s Bay Wine Awards this year.
This is the ninth Chardonnay to take the Champion Wine of the Show at the New Zealand International Wine Show since its inception in 2005. The Villa Maria ‘Single Vineyard – Taylors Pass’ Marlborough Chardonnay 2014 was last year’s champion, with the Marsden ‘Black Rock’ Chardonnay 2013 the 2014 winner. In 2013 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 Chardonnay champion wines.
Villa Maria continues its wine show dominance, the result at the NZIWS this year quite astounding. The company won 6 trophies and a staggering 30 gold medals, so it was no wonder it was named ‘Champion Wine Company of the Year’ and that Nick Picone, the Villa Maria Group Chief Winemaker was again named ‘Winemaker of the Show’.
The ‘Sir George Fistonich Medal’ is awarded at the New Zealand International Wine Show to a person dubbed a ‘Legend of New Zealand Wine’ deemed to make a significant contribution to New Zealand wine. One of the usual conditions is that the recipient must be alive and living in New Zealand, however, for the first time ever, this was waived. This year’s recipient for the ‘Sir George Fistonich Medal’ was Richard Riddiford, the founding director of Palliser Estate in Martinborough. Richard passed away in July. Previous recipients are:
2015 – Clive Weston
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
Clearview Reserve Chardonnay 2015
Winemaker of the Show
Nick Picone, Villa MariaEstate
Champion wine Company of the Year
Villa Maria Estate
EuroVintage Trophy for Champion Sauvignon Blanc
Stoneleigh Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016
Procure Wine Distributors Trophy for Champion Chardonnay
Clearview Reserve Chardonnay 2015
Constellation Brands Trophy for Champion Pinot Gris
Waipara Hills Waipara Valley Pinot Gris 2016
Rapid Labels Trophy for Champion Gewurztraminer
Giesen The Brothers Gewurztraminer 2014
Kahurangi Estate Trophy for Champion Riesling
Forrest The Doctor’s Riesling 2016
Negociants NZ Trophy for Champion Viognier
Goldie Estate Reserve Viognier 2015
Brand Marks Trophy for Champion Other White Wine Varieties
Tahbilk Rousanne Marsanne Viognier 2013
Kahurangi Estate Trophy for Champion Champagne & Methode Traditionelle
Ayala Brut Majeur Champagne NV
Federal Merchants Trophy for Champion New Zealand Sparkling Wine
Hunter’s MiruMiru Reserve 2011
First Glass Trophy for Champion Commercial White Wine
Delegat Crownthorpe Terraces Chardonnay 2015
Federal Merchants Trophy for Champion Sweet Wine
Whitehaven Marlborough Noble Riesling 2014
Guala Closures Trophy for Champion Rose
Esk Valley Hawkes Bay Rose 2016
Negociants NZ Trophy for Champion Pinot Noir
Akarua Pinot Noir 2015
EuroVintage Trophy for Champion Cabernet Sauvignon & Predominant Blends
Kirrihill Wines Vineyard Selection Tullymore Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Federal Merchants Trophy for Champion Merlot Predominant & Blends
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Braided Gravels Organic Merlot 2013
Phase Trophy for Champion New Zealand Bordeaux Red Wine
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Braided Gravels Organic Merlot 2013
Federal Merchants Trophy for Champion New Zealand Syrah
Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawkes Bay Syrah 2014
San Pellegrino Trophy for Champion Shiraz/Syrah & Predominant Blends
Enchanted Tree Shiraz 2014
Riedel Trophy for Champion International Red Wine Varieties
Obsidian Waiheke Island Montepulciano 2015
Constellation Brands Trophy for Champion Commercial Red Wine
Bodegas Borsao Monte Oton 2015
Wine Orbit Trophy for Champion Fortified Wine
Williams & Humbert Alegria Manzanilla
