Emerging varietal wins gold for the first time

MEDIA RELEASE
24 August 2007

Romeo Bragato Wine Awards 2007

Emerging varietal wins gold for the first time

A total of 38 gold medals have been awarded at this year’s Romeo Bragato Wine Awards with an emerging new varietal awarded a gold medal for the first time.

Mike Wood, grapegrower for Obsidian Vineyard in Auckland, used Italian Montepulciano grapes to create the gold medal winning wine - Weeping Sands Montepulciano 2006 in the Other Red Wines 2006 category. It is the first time that this vartietal has won a gold medal at a New Zealand wine competition.

A ten per cent rise in overall entries and new varietials of wine, such as the Montepulciano and the Italian Dolchetto, starting to emerge show an increasing diversity in New Zealand grapegrowing.

The final medal tally consisted of 448 medals; 38 gold, 104 silver and 306 bronze.

Chairman of Judges, Larry McKenna, said that the quality of wine was extremely high this year with judging based on three categories; colour and clarity, aroma and bouquet, and taste and general impression.

“It has been a great year for the aromatics, especially Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling. The gold medal for Montepulciano signifies the increasing diversity in New Zealand wine,” he said.

The Romeo Bragato Awards, held in conjunction with the Romeo Bragato conference, celebrates the quality of grape and the contribution of the grape grower.

Trophy winners (the top wine from a varietal class) will be announced at the annual Romeo Bragato conference awards dinner on Saturday August 25 at the Ellerslie Convention Centre in Auckland.

A complete list of medal winners can be downloaded from www.nzwine.com/news.

Gold medal wines included:

Chardonnay 2006
- Clearview Reserve Chardonnay 2006, Clearview Estate
- Doc's Block Hawke's Bay Chardonnay 2006, Kim Crawford Wines
- Black Rock Chardonnay 2006, Marsden Estate
- SP Tietjen Vineyard Gisborne Chardonnay 2006, Kim Crawford Wines

Chardonnay 2005 and older
- Balthazar Estate Chardonnay 2005, Balthazar Estate
- Villa Maria Single Vineyard Keltern Chardonnay 2005, Villa Maria Estate
- Villa Maria Single Vineyard Fletcher Chardonnay 2005, Villa Maria Estate
- Villa Maria Single Vineyard Taylors Pass Chardonnay 2005, Villa Maria Estate
- Villa Maria Single Vineyard Waldron Chardonnay 2005, Villa Maria Estate

Sauvignon Blanc 2007
- Blackenbrook Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2007, Blackenbrook Wines Ltd
- Saint Clair Pioneer Block 2 Swamp Block Sauvignon Blanc 2007, Saint Clair
Estate Wines

Riesling 2007
- Bascand Estate Riesling 2007, Waipara Downs Wines

Riesling 2006
- Charles Wiffen Marlborough Riesling 2006, Charles Wiffen Wines
- Nelson Riesling 2006, Kaimira Estate

Riesling 2005 and older
- Waimea Dry Riesling 2004, Waimea Estate

Pinot Gris 2007
- SV Pinot Gris 'The Pointer' 2007, Coopers Creek
- Pinot Gris 2007, Stafford Lane Estate

Pinot Gris 2006
- Waipara Hills Waipara Pinot Gris 2006, Waipara Hills

Gewurztraminer 2007
- Winemakers Collection Gewurztraminer 2007, Seifried Estate

Gewurztraminer 2006
- Askerne Gewurztraminer 2006, Askerne

Dessert Wines exceeding 50g/L sugar 2007 and older
- Waimea Bolitho SV Noble Riesling 2004, Waimea Estate

Cabernet Sauvignon / predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon blends 2006
- Mills Reef Reserve Cabernet Merlot 2006, Mills Reef Winery

Cabernet Sauvignon / predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon blends 2005
- Cornerstone Cabernet Merlot Malbec 2005, Newton Forrest Estate Ltd

Merlot / predominantly Merlot blends 2006
- Mudbrick Vineyard Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Mud Brick

Merlot / predominantly Merlot blends 2005
- Clearview Old Olive Block 2005, Clearview Estate
- Mills Reef Elspeth Merlot 2005, Mills Reef Winery
- Shakespeare Cliff Merlot 2005, Mills Reef Winery

Merlot / predominantly Merlot blends 2004 and older
- Villa Maria Single Vineyard Twyford Gravels Merlot 2004, Villa Maria Estate

Pinot Noir 2006
- Mud House Swan Central Otago Pinot Noir 2006, Mud House
- Gibbston Valley Reserve Pinot Noir 2006, Gibbston Valley Wines
- Kingsmill Estate Tippet's Dam Pinot Noir 2006, Kingsmill Wines Ltd
- Rockburn Pinot Noir 2006, Rockburn Wines Limited
- Tirohana Estate Pinot Noir 2006, Tirohana Estate

Pinot Noir 2005
- Burnt Spur Martinborough Pinot Noir 2005, Burnt Spur
- Vidal Stopbank Pinot Noir 2005, Vidal Wines

Other Red Wines 2006
- Weeping Sands Montepulciano 2006, Obsidian Valley Ltd

Syrah 2006
- Passage Rock Reserve Syrah 2006, Passage Rock Wines

Syrah 2005
- The Underarm 2005, Wild Rock Wine Company

- ENDS -

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