Top wines named for New World Wine Awards

Media release
September 3 2007

Top wines named for New World Wine Awards

New Zealand’s top tasting, most affordable wines have been chosen for the New World Wine Awards for 2007.

All the wines had to retail for under $25 a bottle. Of the 793 wines entered, a list of “Top 50” wines has been compiled, featuring wines from New Zealand, Australia and Italy.

Twenty-five of the wines have been awarded gold medals and the other 25 silver medals by a panel of 10, who are all experienced national or international wine judges or wine-makers. The panel was chaired by wine writer Michael Cooper.

Steve Anderson, Chief Executive, Foodstuffs South Island Limited, said that the awards, now in their fifth year, aim to provide consumers with a professional, unbiased selection of good wines that can be purchased in a non-threatening environment.

“In five years, the awards have come to be recognised by industry peers as one of New Zealand’s top wine competitions,” Mr Anderson said.

“From a commercial point-of-view, the New World Wine Awards is perhaps the most significant competition in the country as it makes award-winning wine easily available to all shoppers. This is something that other major wine competitions have not done so well.”

The list of gold medal winning wines:
Sauvignon Blanc: Villa Maria PB 2007, Goldwater Marlborough 2006, Sugar Loaf Marlborough 2007, Shingle Peak 2007.
Riesling: Drylands 2006, Hunters 2006, Waimea Classic 2005, Kaimira Nelson 2006 and Wairau River.
Chardonnay: Villa Maria CS Marlborough 2006.
Dessert: Miranda Golden Botrytis 2003.
Sparkling: Zonin Asti Spumante, Moscato De Asti Castello Del Poggio 2006.
Merlot: Coopers Creek Hawkes Bay 2006.
Cabernet Sauvignon: Serafino 2005.
Cabernet predominant: Wirra Wirra Church Block Cabernet Shiraz Merlot 2005, Saints Cabernet Merlot 2005, Tatachilla Partners Cabernet Shiraz 2004.
Shiraz/Syrah: Thorn Clark Sandpiper, Wynns Coonawarra Shiraz 2006, Preece Shiraz 2005, RockBare Shiraz 2005, Shingleback McLaren Vale Shiraz 2004.
Shiraz predominant: Sticks Shiraz Viognier 2006.
Other reds: Murray Street Barossa GSM 2004.

The “Top 50” will be featured in all New World supermarkets from today.

ENDS

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