Auntsfield Estate wins Best White Wine

14 July 2010

Auntsfield Estate wins Trophy for Best White Wine from the New World

Auntsfield Estate has taken out the Trophy for Best New World White Wine at the China Wine Challenge with their barrel aged 2007 Reserve Sauvignon Blanc. Against a wide range of varieties from wine regions outside of Europe, competition Chairman Steven Spurrier and his panel of judges selected this Marlborough Sauvignon as the champion of it’s class. Additionally, a second gold medal was awarded to the Long Cow Sauvignon Blanc, another Sauvignon from Auntsfield Estate.

Auntsfield Estate is a small Marlborough wine company wholly owned and run by the Cowley family. The vineyard is renowned as the site of Marlborough’s first commercial vineyard, dating back to 1873 when grapes were first planted by Scotsman David Herd. Herd produced wine commercially under the Auntsfield name for over thirty years until his death in 1905, whereupon his son in law continued the business until 1931. The original cellar where the wine was made still remains on site, now an attraction for visitors to the vineyard. Under the guidance of brothers Ben Cowley, General Manger/ Viticulturist and Luc Cowley, Winemaker, Auntsfield is earning a reputation for producing premium quality wines in the modern era.

The trophy winning wine is an example of one of the new styles of Sauvignon Blanc to come out of Marlborough in recent years. Barrel fermented and barrel aged, the wine exhibits a great richness and texture on the palate with ripe tropical fruit flavours. This new style is finding a growing market of admirers , especially amongst consumers who normally eschew the signature grassy and gooseberry characters of traditional Marlborough Sauvignon. Winemaker Luc Cowley says “This is the first release of this wine for Auntsfield, after many trials in the winery. The ideal conditions of the 2007 harvest was a perfect year for the first vintage, - as illustrated by how well it is developing with age”.

Breaking into the Chinese market has taken two years of hard work, research and market visits for Auntsfield Estate. Sales and Business Manager Lorna Evans says “this trophy win is a great validation of both our wines and total commitment to the Chinese market”.

The China Wine Challenge was timed to coincide with the World Expo in Shanghai and attracted wine from all over the world. It was been set up in partnership with some of the industry’s most credible organisations, including the Institute of Masters Of Wine. The competition Chairman Steven Spurrier, is a highly regarded wine writer, consulting editor of UK Decanter magazine and Chairman of the Decanter Wine Awards; now the largest wine competition in the world. The panel of supporting judges also contained many recognised industry figures; Michael Bettane (France), Andrew Caillard MW (Australia) and Anthony Dias Blue (USA) amongst others.

The Auntsfield Reserve Sauvignon Blanc is currently only available in New Zealand direct from the vineyard.

ENDS

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