November 22, 2010

Marlborough Shows Its Diversity at Air New Zealand Wine Awards;
•Five trophies, six elite gold medals, eight pure elite gold medals and 14 pure gold’s
•Fortyseven gold medals across eight varieties for the region

Marlborough wines have picked up five trophies at the 2010 Air New Zealand Wine Awards across a range of white wines.

The trophies for top Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Sparkling Wine, Dessert Wine and Open White Wine were all awarded to Marlborough wines.

On top of that the region picked up eight of a total 14 Pure Elite Gold Medals awarded to wines that are 100% sustainably grown and produced and recognised as being outstanding gold medal wines.

There were another six Marlborough wines recognised as Elite Gold’s. These are on top of the 47 gold medals awarded to Marlborough wines, two weeks ago.

Once again Marlborough dominated the Sauvignon Blanc section, with 13 of the 14 gold’s awarded going to wines from this region. All bar one were from the 2010 vintage which these awards validated as being a magnificent one for Marlborough.

In the Pinot Noir category, Marlborough is an emerging force, collecting 13 gold’s and well up on last year’s tally of seven. Eleven of the Pinot Noir gold medallists were from 2009, justifying the excitement expressed by winemaker’s at last year’s vintage.

Pinot Noir was the largest category within the competition, with a total of 32 gold medals awarded. Sauvignon Blanc was the second largest category followed by Chardonnay.

The region showed its diversity by receiving Pure Elite Gelds and Elite Gelds in a range of varieties, from Sauvignon Blanc to Pinot Noir, Riesling, Sparkling Wine, Gewurztraminer and Dessert Wines.

Wine Marlborough’s General Manager Marcus Pickens said it was fantastic to see the spread of medals across a wide range of varieties.

“It goes without saying that we are internationally famous for our Sauvignon Blanc, however these awards demonstrate that there are a number of other varieties that we produce here in Marlborough that are equally world class. The Air New Zealand Wine Awards, which are New Zealand’s most prestigious, have shown that we are far more than a one wine region.

To receive so many Elite Gold’s and Pure Elite Gold’s in four different categories, was a wonderful result.”

The Trophy winning Marlborough wines are

• Jules Taylor Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2010 – Label and Litho Champion Sauvignon Blanc


• Villa Maria Private Bin Marlborough Dry Riesling 2010 – Plant and Food Research Champion Riesling


• The Sounds Marlborough Methode Traditionnelle 2007 – SKYCITY Champion Sparkling Wine


• Allan Scott Family Winemakers Late Harvest Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2008 – Wineworks Champion Dessert Wine


• Villa Maria Private Bin Marlborough Dry Riesling 2010 – New World Champion Open White Wine

ENDS

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