Rise in affordable gold medal wines

Media release 19 September 2011

Rise in affordable gold medal wines

Nearly 30% more wines were awarded a gold medal at this years New World Wine Awards, proving that a top quality wine doesnt need to be expensive and reflecting winemakers recognition of the value of these awards.

Each wine is scored by an expert judging panel using the same international wine judging points system as all other major wine awards, rating taste, smell and colour. All wines receive a score out of 20, with entries needing to be scored 18.5 or higher to be awarded a gold medal.

“The awards were bigger and better than ever this year, with a record number of wines entered and nearly half of all entries taking home a medal,” says Jim Harré, Chair of the New World Wine Awards judging panel.

Of the 1,045 wines entered, overall the judging panel – comprised of 14 of New Zealands top wine judges – awarded 50 gold, 135 silver and 336 bronze medals.

“The quality of the wines entered demonstrates the high regard winemakers have for the integrity of these awards and the benefits a medal brings in terms of sales and brand awareness of their wines,” said Mr Harré.

All award-winning wines are distributed and promoted in New Worlds 135 supermarkets nationwide. To be eligible wines entered must retail for under $25 and have enough volume to support national distribution.

New Zealand wines took out top honours in two out of three of the ultimate „taste-offs by the judging panel to select the Champion Red, White and Sparkling Wines: Champion Red – Shingle Peak 2010 Reserve Pinot Noir Champion White – Mount Riley 2011 Riesling Champion Bubbles – Jacobs Creek Chardonnay Pinot Noir.

“It was great to be able to award the Champion White to a Riesling. New Zealand winemakers produce some of the best Riesling in the world and in my view it is one of our most underrated wines. The Mount Riley Riesling is extraordinarily beautiful with great texture and backbone, exactly how a perfect Riesling should taste,” says Mr Harré.

A Top 50 selection of the award winning wines will be showcased in the 2011 New World Wine Awards booklet and be stocked in New World stores nationwide from 19 September. Customers can also take their wine education a step further by finding food and wine matches, video clips of the judging process, recipes and full competition results on the revamped 2011 New World Wine Awards website www.newworld.co.nz. “The New World Wine Awards help take the guesswork out of buying a top quality wine for under $25. With so many medal-winning wines this year, consumers are really spoilt for choice. Its a great chance for people to try a variety they wouldnt normally choose and benchmark their palate,” said Mr Harré.

ENDS

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