The results of the 2016 Six Nations Wine Challenge have been released, with New Zealand winning ‘Nation of Show’, and the U.S.A. taking eight trophies. The top three trophies were: Wine of Show: U.S.A. Roederer Estate L’Ermitage Brut Chardonnay Pinot Noir 2007., the White Wine of Show: U.S.A. Anthony Road Dry Riesling 2014, and Red Wine of Show New Zealand Akarua Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2014. Of the 15 classes, New Zealand won seven classes; Australia five; Canada two; and Chile won one. Of the trophies for Top Wine of the Class, the U.S.A. won six, New Zealand four, South Africa four, and Australia one.
The Six Nations Wine Challenge is essentially a shootout of the wines from New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Chile, Canada and the U.S.A. It involves a serious wine man from each country: Bob Campbell MW, Huon Hooke, Michael Fridjohn, Eduardo Brethauer, Christopher Waters and Jon Bonné, from the aforementioned countries respectively. Each of these highly respected industry people invite and select 100 wines from their home country to put up against each other across 15 different wine style categories. They then judge the wines blind. The judges, being highly experienced, do so objectively, to come up with the ‘New World Champion’. www.sixnationswine.com.au
The Major Winners of Each Class
The major results are listed below with Trophy winner and Second Place getters (and Double Gold winners) in each class listed. The full results can be seen at sixnationswine.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/2016_Six_Nations_Results.pdf
Class 1. Sparkling Wine – Class won by New Zealand
Trophy: U.S.A., Roederer Estate L’Ermitage Brut Chardonnay Pinot Noir 2007
2nd/DG: N.Z., Pernod Ricard Deutz Prestige Cuvee Chardonnay Pinot Noir 2012
Class 2. Riesling – Class won by Canada
Trophy: U.S.A., Anthony Road Dry Riesling 2014
2nd/DG: Canada, Cedar Creek Platinum Block 3 Riesling 2014
Class 3. Aromatic Wines Not Riesling – Class won by New Zealand
Trophy: U.S.A., Keuka Spring Gewurztraminer 2014
2nd/DG: Australia, Hahndorf Hill GRU Gruner Veltliner 2015
Class 4. Sauvignon Blanc – Class won by New Zealand
Trophy: N.Z., Rapaura Springs Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2015
2nd/DG: Canada, Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate Grand Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Class 5. Chardonnay – Class won by Australia
Trophy: U.S.A., Sandhi Sanford & Benedict Chardonnay 2014
2nd/DG: S.A., Richard Kershaw Elgin Clonal Selection Chardonnay 2014
Class 6. White Wine Blends – Class won by Australia
Trophy: S.A., Starke-Conde The Field Blend Roussanne, Chenin Blanc, Verdelho, Viognier 2015
2nd/DG: Canada, Nk’Mip Cellars Dreamcatcher Chenin Blanc, Riesling 2014
Class 7. Other White Varieties – Class won by Australia
Trophy: Australia, Mount Pleasant Wines Lovedale Semillon 2011
2nd/DG: Australia, Bimbadgen Signature Semillon 2011
Class 8. Pinot Noir – Class won by New Zealand
Trophy: N.Z., Akarua Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2014
2nd/DG: U.S.A., Kutch McDougall Ranch Pinot Noir 2014
Class 9. Merlot and Carmenere – Class won by New Zealand
Trophy: N.Z., Church Road McDonald Series Merlot 2013
2nd/DG: N.Z., Villa Maria Single Vineyard Braided Gravels Organic Merlot 2013
Class 10. Shiraz/Syrah – Class won by New Zealand
Trophy: S.A., Cederberg Private Cellar Shiraz 2013
2nd/DG: N.Z., Obsidian Reserve Syrah 2014
Class 11. Cabernet Sauvignon – Class won by Australia
Trophy: S.A., Rustenberg Peter Barlow Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
2nd/DG: U.S.A., Pepper Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Class 12. Other Red Varieties – Class won by Chile
Trophy: S.A., Rijk’s Reserve Pinotage 2012
2nd/DG: Chile, Undurraga Vigno Carignan 2013
Class 13. Bordeaux Blends – Class won by New Zealand
Trophy: U.S.A., L’Ecole No. 41 Ferguson Cabernet, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec 2013
2nd/DG: N.Z., Sacred Hill Helmsman Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc 2013
Class 14. Other Red Blends Not Bordeaux – Class won by Australia
Trophy: N.Z., Crossroads Talisman A Secret Blend 2013
2nd/DG: S.A., Eikendal Charisma Shiraz, Petit Verdot, Sangiovese 2013
Class 15. Dessert Wines – Class won by Canada
Trophy: U.S.A., Ste Michelle Wine Estates & Dr Loosen Eroica Single Berry Select Riesling 2008
2nd/DG: N.Z., Framingham Noble Riesling 2015
