Looking for a good tipple?

Media release
Monday 4 October 2004

Looking for a good tipple?

Last Friday saw the who’s who of the New Zealand wine industry raise their glasses to celebrate the medal winners of the “Liquorland Top 100 International Wine Competition”. Over 1740 wines from New Zealand and abroad were tasted and compared over three days by 23 judges and rated accordingly to help customers choose the perfect drop.

The competition ranks wines across many categories rewarding the worthy with Gold, Silver and Bronze. The overall top wine in each category is awarded Trophy status giving that wine a “best-of-the-best” standing.

This year’s results show there’s a good chance of picking up a great wine from Villa Maria Estate, as they were awarded “Champion Winery” for overall excellence covering differing wine styles over many of New Zealand’s top wine producing regions.

As well as collecting the Trophy for “Champion Chardonnay” for the Villa Maria Reserve Marlborough Chardonnay 2002, the Pinot Noir 2003 also picked up the Trophy for “Champion Pinot Noir” and overall “Champion Wine of the Show” – the ultimate kudos.

Sacred Hill Marlborough Vineyards also did incredibly well collecting the Trophy for “Champion Sauvignon Blanc” for their 2004 vintage. This wine was also awarded the “Champion Commercial White Wine” (judged best white wine under $20). The “Champion Commercial Red Wine” was awarded to Preece Shiraz 2002 (judged best red wine under $25).

“The aim of the Liquorland Top 100 is to find the best commercially available New Zealand and imported wines,” said Stephen Berryman, Liquorland Merchandise Manager.

“We’ve produced an award which is not only prestigious for the winners, but an invaluable guide for wine lovers”.

“You can be guaranteed that any Medal winning wine will be a fine drop, and any Trophy winning wine will be exceptional,” says Stephen Berryman.

The Liquorland Top 100, now in its 11th year, has grown to become the largest and one of the most highly regarded wine competitions in New Zealand, due to it covering all wine styles at all price points. Every year the Top 100 medal winning wines are published in a brochure distributed nationwide. All wines are categorised by style and have price indicators making it easy to choose the best wine for the right occasion, at the appropriate price.

From Monday 4 October, Liquorland stores will have wines, awarded within the Liquorland Top 100, available for purchase. Look out for these Liquorland Top 100 medal winning wines in store. A brochure that lists out the winning wines will be available in store for interested wine-enthusiasts, and as an insert in the latest issue of Cuisine magazine.

List of Liquorland Top 100 Trophy Wines attached.

The Liquorland Top 100 Trophy Wines:

Champion Commercial White Wine and Champion Sauvignon Blanc
- Sacred Hill Marlborough Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2004

Champion Chardonnay
- Villa Maria Reserve Marlborough Chardonnay 2002

Champion Pinot Gris
- Johanneshof Marlborough Pinot Gris 2004

Champion Riesling
- Grant Burge Thorn Eden Valley Riesling 2002

Champion Gewurztraminer
- Lawson Dry Hills Gewurztraminer 2004

Champion Sparkling or Champagne
- Pol Roger Champagne Chardonnay 1996

Champion Sweet Wine
- Johanneshof Marlborough Noble Late Harvest Riesling 2003

Champion Merlot predominant
- Esk Valley Reserve Merlot Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon 2002

Champion Cabernet predominant
- Rosemount Traditional 2002

Champion Commercial Red Wine
- Preece Shiraz 2002

Champion Shiraz
- Wirra Wirra RSW Shiraz 2002

Champion Wine of the Show and Champion Pinot Noir
- Villa Maria Reserve Pinot Noir 2003

Champion Fortified Wine
- Lauriston Show Muscat

Champion Winery
- Villa Maria Estate

ENDS

© Scoop Media