Everything’s rosé for the Hawke’s Bay Wine Awards

Wednesday 1st June 2005

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Everything’s rosé for the 2005 Hawke’s Bay Wine Awards

Acknowledgement of rosé’s popularity will be made at this year’s Hawke’s Bay A & P Society Mercedes-Benz Wine Awards, as a category the wine style is added to the line up, increasing the competitions category count to twelve.

Craggy Range wine and viticulture director Steve Smith MW, the award’s chairman of judges, says the award’s strive to reflect the styles produced by local winemakers, but are also mindful of the information the wine consumer is seeking.

“The rosé category has been added because of its popularity among producers and consumers alike,” says Mr Smith. “Rosé definitely has its place in the wine world and Hawke’s Bay is able to produce some tremendous examples.”

In its fifth year, the Hawke’s Bay A & P Mercedes-Benz Wine Awards is the brainchild of a group of wine enthusiasts from the A & P Society. The event has become a benchmark for local wines, with entries consisting of at least 85% Hawke’s Bay fruit.

The organisers also confirmed today the panel of ten judges who will preside over the October competition, including international judges Tony Jordan, managing director, Southern Hemisphere for Moet and Chandon and one of Australia's most respected wine judges, and Tim White, wine writer for the Australian Financial Review.

“Tony is one of the world’s great wine judges and Tim is one of the outspoken young turks of Australian wine writing, and carries a lot of clout amongst his readers,” says Mr Smith. “He has expressed a great love of Hawke's Bay reds and as well as judging the awards, will spend time with local producers while he’s here, which is great for the region as Australia has shown strong growth in red wine imports from New Zealand in the last year.”

Local judges include, wine writers Bob Campbell MW and Geoff Kelly, winemakers Warren Gibson (Trinity Hill), Kate Radburnd (CJ Pask), Tony Bish (Sacred Hill Winery) and Alastair Maling (Villa Maria), and Jane Skilton MW. Judging will take place at the Eastern Institute of Technology’s state-of-the-art sensory lab.

The show’s 12 categories cover varietals, with a further five awards, including cellar door personality, best student wine and the main award, top wine and winemaker of the show which was won last year by Sacred Hill Winery for their 2002 Helmsman Cabernet Merlot.

Each category is sponsored with Harvey Coxen, Markhams MRI Hawke’s Bay, ATI Engineering Ltd, Hastings and Endeavour Glass new to the 2005 line up of supporters, along with continued support from Sainsbury, Logan & Williams, Coffey Davidson, Farmlands, Fluidex, HB Today, Wineworks, Haulage Transport Ltd, and Bluewater Hotel.

Entries from wineries will be called for in August with results announced at a ticketed cocktail event on Tuesday 18th October, which will showcase the winning wines accompanied by food from Orton Catering. Tickets for the event are limited and will go on sale in August.

Further details can be found on www.hawkesbaywineawards.co.nz

ENDS

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