Gewurztraminer named Supreme Champion Wine in Show

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Wednesday 16 October 2013

For immediate release

Gewurztraminer named Supreme Champion Wine in Show

Hunter’s Marlborough Gewurztraminer 2013 has been awarded the Supreme Champion Wine in Show Trophy at the 2013 Avenues International Aromatic Wine Competition. The competition which has been running for eleven years is hosted by the Canterbury A&P Association in conjunction with the Canterbury A&P Show.

Hunter’s Wines, a family owned winery, have won more than 165 gold medals at national and international wine competitions. Managed by Jane Hunter, together with Chief Winemaker Gary Duke and General Manager Peter Macdonald, Hunter's original vineyard area has increased by 2.5 times its original size and the company’s annual output has grown to around 75,000 cases of wine, nearly 80% of which is exported.

The Avenues International Aromatic Wine Competition is open to all Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Viognier and other wine varieties including Muscat, Verdeldo, Arneis and Sauvignon Gris, made in an aromatic style from any internationally recognised region.

Judges awarded five section trophies and 302 medals including 44 gold medals, 87 silver medals and 171 bronze medals, from 429 entries. All section trophy winners competed for the title of Supreme Champion Wine in Show.

Chairman of judges Terry Copeland led a panel of experienced judges for the rigorous testing process. Judges included Petter Evans (Sherwood Estate), Yvonne Lorkin (Beverages Editor Dish Magazine), Jim Harre (New Zealand Winegrowers), Sam Kim (wine writer), Ben Glover (Mud House Wines) and Sarah-Kate Dineen (Maude Wines).

“The Hunter’s Gewurztraminer is such a worthy winner of the supreme award as it completely embodies the concept of aromatic wine. Incredibly fragrant, the aromas of lychee, Turkish delight, grapefruit oil and cardamom spice are so pure and concentrated that smelling the wine alone is rewarding! The palate is well balanced with just enough acidity to balance the sweetness of the fruit and all the flavours linger in the aftertaste for quite some time. More wines should aspire to the sheer quality this wine provides” commented Chairman of Judges Terry Copeland.

A new addition to this year’s schedule of classes, the Museum Class, recognises wines from 2010 and older across all aromatic varieties. A gold medal was awarded within the section to Glenmark Riesling 2003.

“We introduced a Museum Class this year to celebrate how aromatic wines have the great ability to age gracefully and we were absolutely rapt that the Glenmark Riesling 2003 was awarded a gold medal. This 10 year wine showed very little signs of age and will continue to drink well for another few years easily. A real treat to try” added Copeland.

All medal winning wines will be on display at the 2013 Canterbury A&P Show in the Food & Wine NZ Pavilion. The Canterbury
A&P Show will be held Wednesday 13 to Friday 15 November at Canterbury Agricultural Park in Christchurch. It is the largest A&P
Show in the country attracting over 100,000 people, close to 6000 livestock and feature competition entries and 500+ trade exhibitors.

ENDS

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