Stoneleigh Scores in Sydney

For Immediate Release
2 March 2006

Stoneleigh Scores in Sydney

Pernod Ricard NZ is proud to announce that it has won a top trophy and award at the 2006 Sydney International Wine Challenge. Stoneleigh Marlborough Chardonnay 2004 was awarded both the Kemeny's Perpetual Trophy for Best Value White Table Wine Trophy and a Blue Gold Award.

The Sydney International Wine Challenge is one of the world’s most respected wine competitions, with wineries from around the world jostling for the 2000 available entry slots. The international panels of judges seek to single out and reward wines that are complementary to food. In so doing, they aim to introduce consumers to wines and wine styles they may not otherwise have considered. Sydney is the only major international wine competition to assess its finalists alongside food.

Of the wines that achieve blue gold medal status, these are the finalists that fall in the top 10 percent range of the total entry. The trophy winners are an even more select group representing 1% of total entries.

Crafted from Stoneleigh vineyards’ distinctive stony soils in the internationally renowned Marlborough region, Stoneleigh Marlborough Chardonnay has been made from well- ripened, intensely flavoured grapes displaying a bouquet of nectarine and white peach. The palate has ripe, full-bodied stone fruit flavours with subtle toasty complexity and a smooth, creamy texture.

Stoneleigh offers a range of premium quality wines with distinctly Marlborough flavours - refreshing and pure. Stoneleigh winemaker, Jamie Marfell says “Stoneleigh's unique infertile and free draining stony soils have combined with Marlborough's high annual sunshine hours and crisp coastal climate, to create a world-renowned 'terroir' and microclimate.”

He goes onto say “The ripeness of the crop in 2004 provided fruit of the highest quality with rich concentrated flavours. Receiving this award confirms what we believed this wine would deliver – a knockout full-bodied and flavoursome Chardonnay.”

ENDS

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