New Zealand winemakers showed they make damn good wine at the 30th International Wine Challenge winning a record 38 gold medals
Thirteen of the golds went to Kiwi Pinot Noir.
Gold medal Pinot winners include two wines from the Waitaki Valley: the John Forrest Collection 2010 Pinot Noir and Ostler’s Caroline Pinot Noir 2010. As usual, Central Otago fared well with golds for Tarras Vineyards, Brennan Wines, Grasshopper Rock and Kingsmill. While Marlborough producers have admitted Pinot Noir is still a work in progress in the region, it still managed to take a few golds with its leading red variety.
Great value Sauvignon Blanc also scored very well at the IWC. Winemakers Vidal produced a Gold medal White Label Series Sauvignon Blanc (2012) as did Villa Maria with their Single Vineyard Southern Clays 2012. Both wines retail for less than ten pounds.
Lesser-known grape varieties are also faring well on the international show scene. Yealand Estates picked up a gold for its Grüner Veltliner 2012 while Stanley Estates produced a gold medal winning Albarino (2012) from its 0.5 hectare site in Marlborough’s Awatere Valley.
There were also wins for lesser-known producers, showing its not just the big guns who are making good wine.
Charles Metcalfe, co-chairman of the IWC, says: “The New Zealand gold medal wines at this year’s International Wine Challenge have been stunning. We’ve come to expect excellent Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc from them, and as usual they have delivered, but their ability to cultivate foreign grapes shows their mastery of their craft. These wines have been tasted against thousands of contenders so it is a tremendous achievement that will catapult their product to an international audience.”
New Zealand’s Gold Medal winning wines:
Blind River Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Brennan Pinot Noir 2010
B2 Pinot Noir 2011
Coney Pizzicato Pinot Noir 2012
Delegat Awatere Valley Marlborough Pinot Noir 2012
John Forrest Collection Brancott Pinot Noir 2010
John Forrest Collection Waitaki Valley Pinot Noir 2010
Framingham Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Grasshopper Rock Central Otago Pinot Noir 2011
Huntaway Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2012
Julicher Estate 99 Rows Pinot Noir 2010
Kingsmill Tippet’s Dam Pinot Noir 2011
Tohu Mugwi Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Lawson’s Dry Hills Chardonnay 2009
Lawson’s Dry Hills Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Lone Goat Canterbury Late Harvest Riesling 2007
The Kings Favour Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Matua Valley Single Vineyard Marlborough Chardonnay 2011
Mills Reef Elspeth Cabernet Merlot 2009
Mills Reef Elspeth Trust Vineyard Syrah 2011
Mission Estate Martinborough Pinot Noir 2012
Nautilus Estate Marlborough Chardonnay 2011
Ostler Caroline’s Pinot Noir 2010
Otu Sauvignon Blanc 2012
O:TU 102 Single Vineyard 2012
Church Road Reserve Chardonnay 2011
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 5 Bull Block Pinot Noir 2011
Waipara Springs Premo Pinot Noir 2010
Stanley Estate Albarino 2012
Tarras Vineyards the Canyon Pinot Noir 2009
Vidal Reserve Series Syrah 2010
Vidal White Label Series Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Villa Maria Private Bin Syrah 2010
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Southern Clays Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Mansion House Bay Vineyard Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2012
