The Akarua Central Otago Pinot Noir 2011 was announced the Champion Wine of Show and Bragato Trophy Winner at this year’s Romeo Bragato Wine Awards, at the Bragato Dinner last night in Blenheim. The wine was also awarded the Mike Wolter Memorial Trophy Pinot Noir Trophy and the Sustainability Trophy. The wine was grown by Mark Naismith, Akarua’s viticulturist.
The Romeo Bragato Wine Awards was judged last week by a team of judges led by Olly Masters, with Sarah-Kate Dineen, Ben Glover, Dave McKee, Helen Morrison, James Rowan and Steve Voysey as the senior judges. It is a unique judging competition as it recognises viticultural excellence and the influence of grape growers and their vineyards in the quality of wines. From it, the concept of terroir is also supported. For 2013, there were 495 entries, with 51 (10.3%) gold, 107 (21.6%) silver and 181 (36.5%) bronze medals awarded, making a total of 339 (68.4%) of the wines gaining a medal award.
I’ve judged the Romeo Bragato Wine Awards for many years and it is one of my favourite competitions. The depth of quality seems higher than most other shows, and the individuality of the wines is stronger, suggesting that vineyard character (and thus ‘terroir’) is being captured in the wines!
Following is a list of the trophy winners with the region and grower. (Click here to see the gold medal winning wines.) www.bragato.org.nz
Champion Wine of Show and Bragato Trophy Winner
Akarua Pinot Noir 2011
Akarua – Central Otago
Mark Naismith
Richard Smart Trophy and Reserve Champion Wine
Villa Maria ‘Single Vineyard – Taylors Pass’ Chardonnay 2011
Taylors Pass Vineyard – Marlborough
Ian Buck
Friedrich Wohnsiedler Trophy and Champion Riesling
Wither Hills ‘Cellar Release’ Kerseley Riesling 2012
Kerseley – Marlborough
Wendy and Owen Glover
Brother Cyprian Trophy and Champion Pinot Gris
Thornbury Waipara Pinot Gris 2013
Waiata Vineyard – Waipara
Royce Mckean
New Zealand Wine Cellars Spence Brothers Trophy and Champion Sauvignon Blanc
Saint Clair ‘Pioneer Block 1 – Foundation Block’ Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Swamp Road Vineyard – Marlborough
Phillip & Cheryl Sowman
Bill Irwin Trophy and Champion Chardonnay
Villa Maria ‘Single Vineyard – Taylors Pass’ Chardonnay 2011
Taylors Pass Vineyard – Marlborough
Ian Buck
Mike Wolter Memorial Trophy and Champion Pinot Noir
Akarua Pinot Noir 2011
Akarua – Central Otago
Mark Naismith
Alan Limmer Trophy and Champion Syrah
Vidal ‘Legacy Series’ Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2009
Omahu Gravels Vineyard – Hawkes Bay
Phil Holden
Tom Mcdonald Memorial Trophy and Champion Classical Red Wine
Villa Maria ‘Reserve’ Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2010
Vidal Vineyard – Hawkes Bay
Phil Holden
Champion Sparkling
Akarua Methode Traditionnelle Rose Brut NV
Akarua – Central Otago
Mark Naismith
Champion Gewürztraminer
Zephyr Gewürztraminer 2012
Glover Family Vineyards – Marlborough
Owen Glover
Champion Other White Wine
Coopers Creek ‘Select Vineyards – Bell Ringer’ Gisborne Albariño 2013
Bell Vineyard – Gisborne
Doug and Delwyn Bell
Champion Other Red Wine
Waimea ‘Trev’s Red’ 2012
Waimea Estates Nelson Ltd
Trevor and Ben Bolitho
Champion Rosé
Clearview ‘Black Reef’ Blush 2013
Clearview Estate
Tim Turvey And Helma Van Den Berg
Champion Dessert
Villa Maria ‘Reserve’ Marlborough Noble Riesling 2012
Roncenvin Estate Vineyard – Marlborough
Chris Fletcher
Sustainability Trophy
Akarua Pinot Noir 2011
Akarua – Central Otago
Mark Naismith
