New Zealand International Wine Show 2008

PRESS RELEASE

30th September 2008

New Zealand International Wine Show 2008

Church Road Reserve Chardonnay tops New Zealand's largest wine competition

The Champion Wine of the Show at the 2008 New Zealand International Wine Show is the Church Road Reserve Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2006

From a record 2273 entries, the 18 Trophy winners were announced at a gala Awards Dinner on Saturday night.

The 2006 Church Road Reserve Chardonnay emulates the success of the 2005 vintage wine, which was also crowned Champion Chardonnay in last year's competition.

The 2008 George Fistonich Medal, awarded to a Legend of New Zealand Wine, was presented to well known Martinborough-based winemaker, Larry McKenna.

2008 Trophy Winners

Champion Wine of the Show

Church Road Reserve Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2006

Wine Company of the Show

Vintage Wines & Spirits.

Champion Chardonnay

Church Road Reserve Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2006

Champion Sauvignon Blanc

Mud House Swan Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Champion Viognier

Morton Estate Private Reserve Hawkes Bay Viognier 2007

Champion Riesling

Mud House Waipara Riesling 2008

Champion Gewurztraminer

Kemblefield 'The Distinction' Hawkes Bay Gewurztraminer 2007

Champion Pinot Gris

Blackenbrook Nelson Reserve Pinot Gris 2008

Champion Sweet Wine

Lone Goat Botrytis Selection 2007

Champion Sparkling Wine

Pol Roger Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill Champagne 1998

Champion Other White Varieies

Peter Lehmann "Margaret" Semillon 2003

Champion Cabernet Sauvignon Predominant

Yalumba The Signature 2004

Champion Merlot Predominant

Clearview Estate Hawkes Bay Enigma 2006

Champion Shiraz

Thorn-Clarke William Randell Barossa Shiraz 2005

Champion International Wine

Sessantanni Old Vines Primitivo di Manduria 2005

Champion Pinot Noir

Martinborough Vineyard Te Tera Pinot Noir 2007

Champion Fortified Wine

Lauriston Show Muscat

Champion Commercial White Wine

Saints Gisborne Chardonnay 2007

Champion Commercial Red Wine

Thorn-Clarke Sandpiper Barossa Shiraz 2007

166 gold medals, 350 silver and 927 bronze medals were also awarded. There is excitement in every category and with so many of the top wines being recent releases, wine lovers should be able to source these wines for many months.

All medal results plus descriptions of the gold medal wines can be found on the New Zealand International Wine Show website www.nziws.co.nz. Medal results also appear on www.wineshow.co.nz

ENDS

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