New Zealand Pinot Noir Comes Out On Top

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Estelle and Blair Hunt of Bald Hills Vineyard after receiving the Decanter World Wine Awards

MEDIA RELEASE
24 September 2007

New Zealand Pinot Noir Comes Out On Top

New Zealand swept the board at the Decanter World Wine Awards and International Wine Challenge (IWC) this month, winning a total of six International trophies.

New Zealand Pinot Noir was a clear winner with Blair and Estelle Hunt of Central Otago’s Bald Hills ecstatic to discover that their 2005 Pinot Noir had won a total of four International and two Regional trophies over the two competitions.

After beating stiff competition from around the world, Burgundy and New Zealand went head to head for the International Pinot Noir over £10 Trophy at the Decanter World Wine Awards. Bald Hills, whose vineyard was established just ten years ago, walked away with the accolade, reinforcing that New Zealand produces world class Pinot Noir.

New Zealand Wingrowers chief executive, Philip Gregan believes these significant wins for New Zealand wine, in key overseas markets, confirms New Zealand’s continuing diversification across varietals.

“Pinot Noir is New Zealand’s second most exported varietal, with almost 6 million litres exported between June 2006 and June 2007.

“The range of New Zealand wine continues to expand and international awards such as these reiterate the exceptionally high quality of New Zealand wine,” said Mr Gregan.

The Hunts were bowled over by the IWC Awards a week later where they scooped up the inaugural Planet Earth Sustainability Trophy, reflecting New Zealand’s continued commitment to its Sustainable Winegrowing programme launched back in 1995.

To then go on to beat 29 gold medal winners from the world’s wine producing countries for the IWC’s Champion Red Wine Trophy was the icing on the cake.

Further praise for New Zealand’s other varietals continued with the International Sweet Wine Over £10 Trophy going to Seifried Estate Riesling Sweet Agnes, Nelson 2006.

New Zealand also was also awarded the IWC White Wine Maker of the Year award which went to Alistair Maling MW of Villa Maria Estate.

ENDS

www.nzwine.com

www.nzwine.com/swnz (Sustainable Winegrowing)

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