Top 50 winners in winning roadshow

9 August 2005

Top 50 winners in winning roadshow

Two wines chosen for the New World Wine Awards 2005 – known informally as the Top 50 – will feature in Vintage Wines & Spirits’ trade roadshow later this month.

They will be among hundreds of wines for trade buyers to taste from Vintage’s far-reaching portfolio of New Zealand, Australian and European producers.

The Red Knot Shiraz 2004 and Shingleback McLaren Vale Shiraz 2002 were both awarded gold medals by the judging panel as well as making it into the prestigious Top 50.

“This says a lot about the judges’ assessment of both their quality and price-accessibility,” said Vintage’s managing director, Nick Hern. “Many of the other wines in the Top 50 were judged as meriting silver medals.”

The New World Wine Awards are for wines priced under $20, following the philosophy that “the most expensive doesn’t always mean the best”.

Red Knot Shiraz 2004 has grabbed extensive trade, consumer and media attention since Vintage released it on the New Zealand market earlier this year, one reason being its revolutionary Zork closure. This and other new-style closures are sure to be talking points at the Vintage roadshows, said Hern.

Award notes for the Red Knot Shiraz describe it as “full of drink-young charm”, noting that “this McLaren Vale red is boldly coloured, with a strong surge of fresh, vibrant berry, plum and black pepper flavours, rich and well-rounded”.

For the Shingleback McLaren Vale Shiraz 2002, the award notes enthuse that “drenched with colour, body and flavour, this is McLaren Vale Shiraz at its powerful best. Rich, ripe fruit aromas seasoned with American oak lead into a commanding wine with an array of blackcurrant, spice, mocha and licorice flavours.”

The New World Wine Awards 2005 judging panel was headed by Michael Cooper as chief judge. Panel leaders were John Hancock, Oliver Masters and Terry Copeland, while Ben Glover, Jim Harre, Michael Ivicevich, Alastair Maling MW, Simon Nash MW and Simon Waghorn also served as judges.

“That depth of experience in judging, winemaking and other wine services gives the Top 50 a high credibility,” said Hern.

Vintage Wines & Spirits is taking its wines to the trade this year, rather than participating in Wine New Zealand. The roadshow will have a number of novel features, including a “passport” tasting system and very worthwhile prizes.

It will include tastings of many notable wines such as the Brokenwood Graveyard Shiraz, jewel in the crown for this famous Hunter Valley winery.

Trade response to the roadshow has been marvellous, said Hern. “We’re delighted at the feedback and look forward to a very successful event.”

The show series starts in Christchurch at Chateau in the Park on Tuesday August 23, followed by Wellington (The Boat Shed) on Wednesday August 24. The final event will be at the Ellerslie Racecourse in Auckland on Wednesday August 31. Unfortunately the Tauranga leg of the Roadshow on Tueday the 30th of August has been cancelled.

ENDS

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