NZ's largest wine competition is ready to roll

Press Release
19th May 2006

New Zealand’s largest wine competition is ready to roll in 2006.

Everything is now finalised for the 2006 New Zealand International Wine Show and it is possible that for the first time in this country over 2000 entries will confront the judges in a wine competition.

The response to the inaugural New Zealand International Wine Show last year was so positive and with even more wineries now producing wine it is expected that the record 1910 entries in 2005 will be exceeded this year. “The International” lived up to its name last year with entries from ten countries representing 405 wineries including an amazing 138 Australian wine producers.

Chairman of Judges Bob Campbell MW will once again have the services of at least five fellow Masters of Wine on the judging panels and a team of highly experienced winemakers and wine industry personnel will join them. The guest overseas judge will be the highly talented and respected winemaker Kym Milne MW who is now based in South Australia.

A feature of last year’s competition was the announcement of the recipient of the George Fistonich Medal. The prestigious award will be presented annually to a “Legend of New Zealand Wine” - someone who has made a significant contribution to the development and success of New Zealand wine. The recipient must be living in New Zealand to qualify for this award. Last year the George Fistonich Medal went to one of the greatest supporters and promoters of wine in New Zealand and indeed internationally, Bob Campbell MW. On September 22nd at the Awards Dinner at Auckland’s Carlton Hotel, who will receive the George Fistonich Medal in 2006?

Unique Promotions

Wine companies enter wine competitions in the hope of winning medals - notably gold medal or trophies. To win a gold medal is a most significant achievement but on many occasions the public have not been made aware of the results from the various shows or competitions. To ensure most of the wine buying public are informed of who has won the Trophies and gold medals at the 2006 New Zealand International Wine Show, on the two days following the Awards Dinner advertisements listing all the wines in “The Champions List” will appear in newspapers covering New Zealand. Wine buyers throughout the country will know, literally within hours, just who has won the major awards. There will also be a feature on the Show in Winestate Magazine so wine buyers throughout Australasia will know which are the successful wines and who are the successful winemakers.

The Winewriters’ Challenge

Last year there were 107 gold medals awarded, resulting in 19 trophies in the various categories. The Trophies are all decided by the senior judges during the competition but the identity of these prestigious awards will be a closely guarded secret until the announcement at the Awards Dinner on September 22nd. This year, on a day prior to the Awards Dinner, twelve leading winewriters from around New Zealand will be invited to a special tasting of all the Gold Medal winning wines. These winewriters will be given the “Challenge” of selecting the wines that they think will take home this year’s Trophies at the Awards Dinner. The winewriter who correctly selects the most winners will receive a special award for his or her achievement.

Everything is in place for another successful New Zealand International Wine Show and already entries have been received.

Competition Calendar

Closing date for entries 25th August
Closing date for samples 30th August
Judging dates 5th, 6th & 7th September
Embargo lifted on results 15th September
Awards Dinner – Auckland Friday 22nd September
Publicity Material Launched 23rd & 24th September

ENDS

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