The results of the 39th Sydney International Wine Competition have highlighted the growth in international wineries targeting the Australian market and the increasing diversity of wine styles and grape varieties gaining recognition.
While Australian wines dominated the chardonnay and medium/fuller bodied red wine categories and New Zealand continued to rule the Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir categories, there were also honours for wineries from a number of other countries.
France was the leading winner of medals in the sparkling wine category, while Portugal achieved its best-ever success with eight medals, and Georgian wineries – considered by many to be the birth-place of wine – won two medals.
In total, entries were received from 11 countries, with eight countries featuring in the medals list: Australia, New Zealand, Portugal, France, Argentina, Italy, Georgia and the United States.
The international nature of the competition was reflected in the top five most successful wine companies:
1. Yealands Wine Group (NZ) – 9 medals/trophies (vineyard pictured main)
2. Saint Clair Family Estate (NZ) – 8 medals/trophies
3. Casa Santos Lima, Companhia das Vinhas (Portugal) – 8 medals/trophies
4. De Bortoli Wines – (Australia) – 7 medals/trophies
5. D’Arenberg Wines (Australia) – 6 medals/trophies
The most successful individual wines were both from New Zealand, with the Akarua - RUA Pinot Noir 2017 and Brancott Estate Letter Series O Chardonnay 2017, both winning three trophies.
Chair of Judges, Warren Gibson, commented: “There is also increased focus on “alternative varieties” in both entries and awards. This year a record over fifty different grape varieties were entered. Successes were achieved with other white varieties such as Roussanne, Gruner Veltliner, Fiano and Vermentino. Similarly, relatively unheard of (in Australia) red varieties Saperavi and Castelao were award winners. Grenache showed beautifully in the light and medium bodied classes.
“Major successes this year were wines from countries as diverse as Portugal and Georgia. The Badagoni - Alaverdi Tradition 2015 (Saperavi) from Georgia was awarded The Ted Radke Perpetual Trophy for Best Table Wine made from a Lesser Recognised Grape Variety. The Casa Santos Lima winery from Portugal was particularly successful with eight awards from a range of robust red varieties.”
Great value wines triumph
The competition once again saw a wide range of great-value wines from Australia, New Zealand, South America and Europe winning trophies and medals in this year’s competition, with ALDI’s $6.99 One Road Shiraz 2017 (fruit from Langhorne Creek and Heathcote) winning a trophy for the Best Medium Bodied Dry Red Wine of the Competition.
The Sydney International Wine Competition is unique in being the only international wine show that judges all its finalists in combination with appropriate food – meaning that consumers can select wines that are best suited to accompany specific meals, from BBQs to formal dinners.
“This year’s competition showed an overall increase in refinement and food-friendliness in the general entries," Gibson said.
"In the past cooler climate styles have tended to be rewarded and awarded and whilst this appears to still be the case, there is definitely a sense that the warmer climate wines are encroaching into this area. This is seen particularly in the trophy wines but also within the general results. For example, in the medium and full-bodied red classes this year the warmer South Australian regions of McLaren Vale and Barossa performed extremely well with the food matchings."
Trophy Winners of the 39th Sydney International Wine Competition
The Wine Society (Australia) Perpetual Trophy for Most Successful Winery of Competition: Yealands Wine Group
Joy Lake Memorial Championship Perpetual Trophy for Best Wine of Competition: Akarua - RUA Pinot Noir 2017
The Wine Society (Australia) Perpetual Trophy for Best White Table Wine of Competition: Brancott Estate - Brancott Estate Letter Series O Chardonnay 2017
Mark De Havilland Memorial Trophy for Best Red Table Wine of Competition: Akarua - RUA Pinot Noir 2017
SIWC Perpetual Trophy for Runner up to Best Wine of Competition: Brancott Estate - Brancott Estate Letter Series O Chardonnay 2017
Lanson International Diffusion Perpetual Trophy for Best Sparkling Wine of Competition: Champagne Collet - Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru NV
John Ryan Memorial Perpetual Trophy for Best Aromatic Wine of Competition: Patrick of Coonawarra - Patrick of Coonawarra Aged Riesling 2012
SIWC Perpetual Trophy for Best Semi Sweet White Wine of Competition: d'Arenberg - The Dry Dam 2011
Perpetual Trophy for Best Sauvignon Blanc Wine: Marlborough Wine Ltd/Toi Toi Wines - Toi Toi Marlborough Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2018
Ernie Hunter Memorial Trophy for Best Lighter Bodied Dry White Table Wine of Competition: Two Rivers Wines - Stones Throw Semillon 2013
Schenker Australia Pty Ltd Perpetual Trophy for Best Medium Bodied Dry White Table Wine of Competition: Peter Lehmann Wines - Margaret Semillon 2012
SIWC Perpetual Trophy for Best Fuller Bodied Dry White Table Wine of Competition: Brancott Estate - Brancott Estate Letter Series O Chardonnay 2017
SIWC Perpetual Trophy for Best Still Rose Wine of Competition: Waipara Hills - Waipara Hills Waipara Valley Pinot Noir Rose 2018
J F Hillebrand (New Zealand) Ltd Perpetual Trophy for Best Pinot Noir of Competition: Akarua - RUA Pinot Noir 2017
SIWC Perpetual Trophy for Best Lighter Bodied Dry Red Table Wine of Competition: Robert Oatley Vineyards - Montrose Mudgee Black Shiraz 2017
The Fesq & Company Perpetual Trophy for Best Medium Bodied Dry Red Table Wine of Competition: ALDI Stores - One Road South Australia & Heathcote Shiraz 2017
Kemeny’s Perpetual Trophy for Best Fuller Bodied Dry Red Table Wine of Competition: Dandelion Vineyards - Lionheart of the Barossa Shiraz 2017
Myra Lehmann Perpetual Trophy for Best Dessert Wine (Unfortified) of Competition: Lillypilly Estate Wines - Lillypilly Noble Blend 2017
R L Buller & Son Perpetual Trophy for Best Fortified Wine of Competition: Morris Wines - Old Premium Rare Liqueur Muscat NV
Kemenys Perpetual Trophy for Best Value Dry White Table Wine of Competition: Yealands Wine Group - Peter Yealands Sauvignon Blanc 2018
Kemenys Perpetual Trophy for Best Value Dry Red Table Wine of Competition: Peter Lehmann Wines - The Barossan Shiraz 2016
SIWC Perpetual Trophy for Best Australian Sparkling Wine – Aperitif Style: Taltarni Vineyards - Taltarni Cuvee Rose 2013
The John Marris Perpetual Trophy for a Non-Australian Wine of Outstanding Quality (other than Best Wine of Competition/Runner up): Casa Santos Lima - Companhia das Vinhas S.A - Bons-Ventos, Red 2016
The Ted Radke Perpetual Trophy for Best Table Wine made from a Lesser Recognised Grape Variety: Badagoni - Alaverdi Tradition 2015
Full details about the 39th Sydney International Wine Competition: www.top100wines.com
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