A Bendigo shiraz lauded as an unmistakable taste of Australia has taken home the nation’s top wine award at the National Wine Show of Australia held at the National Press Club in Canberra.

Following the delays from last year, the wine awards for 2021 saw Sutton Grange Winery’s 2019 Fairbank Syrah scooped the Prime Minister’s Trophy for Champion Wine of Show.

It was also the winner of the Best Shiraz and the James Halliday Red Wine of Show categories at the event.

National Wine Show Chair of Judges David Bicknell described Sutton Grange’s trifecta-winning entry as a wine that couldn’t be mistaken as coming from anywhere else but Australia.

“It tastes like the country – like it’s grown and made in Australia,” Mr Bicknell said. “It has depth of flavour, real aromatic qualities, complexity, length and it’s beautifully balanced as well – all the attributes we look for in fine wine. It takes a skilful hand to do that, and also a good vineyard.”

Endeavour Group's Steve Donohue presented the award to Sutton Grange's Chris Smale (above)s. He also presented the Len Evans Memorial White Wine of Show Trophy to Matt Buckham of Cherubino for its 2020 Margaret River Chardonnay in what judges described as a "fiercely competitive" category.

Mudgee’s Robert Stein Winery 2021 Reserve Riesling won the Best Riesling trophy, traditionally awarded to those from the Clare and Eden Valleys.

Mr Bicknell said, “When we got to the top half-dozen Rieslings there were six different regions at the table – some really beautiful wines – but the Robert Stein won the trophy. Most people don’t see Mudgee as an area that’s great at Riesling, so I think this win is awesome.”

General Manager Ruth Ellis of the Hanging Rock Winery in the Macedon Ranges - pictured with her family below - said they were thrilled for their win of Best Blended White for the 2021 The Jim Jim Three Pinot Gris Gewurztraminer Riesling.

She said, "This comes at a special time for us as last week , my parents, John and Ann Ellis celebrated 40 years since they purchased this property in the Macedon Ranges and ten years since my brother Rob and I took over the running of the business from them.

"The last time we won anything in Canberra was when John won it for the first ever Australian Cabernet Merlot back in 1980 at Tisdall’s."

The Red Varietal Trophy was won by South Australia’s The Lane Vineyard’s 2021 Provenance Cabernet Franc, testimony to the increasing sophistication from Australian winemakers when it comes to producing wines from hardier, European-style varieties, suited to the changing Australian climate.

While Xanadu was awarded its eight consecutive Cabernet Sauvignon trophy at awards for its 2019 Xanadu Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon to be released in June.

Despite the significant challenges facing Australian winemakers in the past few years, Mr Bicknell said the National Wine Show results were proof of the industry’s resilience.

“The list of winners includes winem

akers from all corners of the country, who have done well with all sorts of varieties. Australian wine is in a good place and, despite what the industry has faced, you could argue it’s getting better. We’re adapting, and we’re doing it in clever ways.”

Full list of National Wine Show of Australia 2021 winners:

  • Wine of Show: Prime Minister’s Trophy for Champion Wine of Show: Sutton Grange Winery 2019 Fairbank Syrah
  • James Halliday Red Wine of Show: Sutton Grange Winery 2019 Fairbank Syrah
  • Len Evans Memorial White Wine of Show: Cherubino 2020 Margaret River Chardonnay
White Wine Trophies:
  • Pinot Gris/Grigio Trophy: Longview 2021 Queenie Pinot Grigio
  • Riesling Trophy: Robert Stein Winery 2021 Reserve Riesling, Mudgee
  • Semillon Trophy: Briar Ridge 2013 Stockhausen Signature Semillon, Hunter Valley
  • Sauvignon Blanc Trophy: Sidewood 2020 Mappinga Fume Blanc
  • Chardonnay Trophy: Cherubino 2020 Margaret River Chardonnay
  • White Varietal Trophy: Hahndorf Hill 2021 White Mischief Gruner Veltliner
  • Blended White Trophy: Hanging Rock 2021 The Jim Jim Three Pinot Gris Gewurztraminer Riesling
Red Wine Trophies
  • Pinot Noir Trophy: Lowestoft Estate Tasmania 2020 La Maison Pinot Noir
  • Grenache Trophy: Krondorf2020 Founder’s View Barossa Grenache
  • Shiraz Trophy: Sutton Grange Winery 2019 Fairbank Syrah
  • Cabernet Sauvignon Trophy: Xanadu 2019 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Red Varietal Trophy: The Lane Vineyard 2021 Provenance Cabernet Franc
  • Grenache Blends Trophy: St Hugo 2020 Barossa Grenache Shiraz Mataro
  • Shiraz Blends Trophy: Deep Woods Estate 2020 Shiraz et al
  • Cabernet Blends Trophy: Bleasdale Vineyards 2019 Frank Potts Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec Merlot Petit Verdot
  • Alternate Red Blends Trophy: De Bortoli Wines 2020 Villages Tempranillo Touriga
Other Trophies:
  • Sparkling Wine Trophy: B Seppelt & Sons Limited 2015 Seppelt Salinger Vintage Cuvee
  • Sweet White Trophy: De Bortoli Wines 2018 Deen Vat 5 Botrytis Semillon
  • Rose Trophy Xanadu 2021 DJL Shiraz Graciano Rose`
  • Fortified Trophy: Morris Wines NV Old Premium Topaque

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