‘Best of the Best’ Trophy Celebrates Whitehaven Chardonnay

MEDIA RELEASE - September 2011

‘Best of the Best’ Trophy Celebrates Whitehaven Chardonnay 2009

Whitehaven Wine Company has again claimed a victory for Marlborough’s internationally renowned white wine industry – the Whitehaven Marlborough Chardonnay 2009 winning the Red + White Cellar Champion Commercial White Wine Trophy and a Gold Medal at the 2011 New Zealand International Wine Show.

‘This latest trophy is a significant achievement for both Whitehaven and Marlborough as it highlights the fact that the region’s reputation for prestige quality white wines is not solely founded on sauvignon blanc,’ said Whitehaven managing director, Sue White.

‘The Trophy acknowledges Whitehaven’s commitment to producing a fine quality, accessible chardonnay targeted at both mainstream domestic and export markets. This wine has instant appeal for chardonnay drinkers worldwide, brimming with pure flavour and classic Marlborough intensity.’ The judging panel, chaired by Bob Campbell MW, commended the Whitehaven 2009 Chardonnay for its ‘appealing cashew nut scent and creamy, mouth-filling flavours of citrus, white peach, French oak, caramel – and zingy finish’, awarding it the ‘Best of the Best’ accolade of all commercial white wines spanning all major varieties from sauvignon blanc and riesling, to gewurztraminer and pinot gris.

The trophy-winner was made by Whitehaven’s chardonnay specialist, Diana Katardzhieva, a highly experienced winemaker originally from Bulgaria, who joined the company in 2004. She takes pride in crafting classic expressive chardonnays from exceptional quality Marlborough grapes.

The New Zealand International Wine Show is the largest wine competition held in New Zealand each year, open to wines from any country and variety. This year the judges awarded Gold Medals to 23 Chardonnays, 15 Sauvignon Blancs, 15 Rieslings, 6 Gewurztraminers, and 14 in the Pinot Gris class. The exceptional quality of Whitehaven’s portfolio of premium wines was confirmed by its overall tally of three Gold Medals, two Silvers, and a Bronze.

•Gold Medal: Whitehaven Marlborough Chardonnay 2009, Whitehaven Marlborough Gewurztraminer 2010, Whitehaven Marlborough Pinot Noir 2010 •Silver Medal: Whitehaven ‘Greg’ Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Whitehaven ‘Greg’ Pinot Noir 2010

This latest trophy adds to Whitehaven’s major 2011 industry achievements, led by the Royal Easter Show Wine Awards Championship Trophy awarded earlier this year to Whitehaven Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2010.

Whitehaven is a Renwick-based export winery, now one of New Zealand’s highest profile brands in the expanding US market, and also distributed in the UK and Ireland, Australia, Japan and Hong Kong.

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