Air New Zealand Wine Awards Champion Gewurztraminer

Media release – 24 November 2014

Air New Zealand Wine Awards Champion Gewurztraminer

Spy Valley Marlborough Gewurztraminer 2013

The Air New Zealand Wine Awards is New Zealand’s premier wine competition created to encourage and reward excellence in New Zealand winemaking for the benefit of winemakers and consumers.

The competition has been running for over 30 years and this trophy marks the fourth for Spy Valley previously being awarded the Trophy for Gewurztraminer, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris.

“Our Gewurztraminer has consistently done well,the 2003 Spy Valley Gewurztraminer won the Air New Zealand Wine Awards Gewurztraminer Trophy back in 2003, 10 vintages on it shows we are still hitting the mark.” Said Blair Gibbs, Spy Valley Wines General Manager.

This year's competition saw 1,552 wines entered into 16 different classes. The entries were judged by an independent panel of 26 expert wine judges, including two international judges;David Brookes and Sebastian Braun.

“It was a season that really suited Gewurztraminer, with plenty of warmth to push the flavours towards our favoured “exotic spice” spectrum. Abundant structure from the low cropping vines is balanced with naturally low acidity, the weight and richness of the palate being the defining character of this wine. 2013 saw the ferments finish a little later, and consequently a slightly drier wine than the previous vintage. Aromas are bright and multi-layered, with the cool nights through the harvest period retaining the full flavours of the fruit.” Paul Bourgeois, Spy Valley’s Chief Winemaker since 2007.

He describesthe bouquet as possessing‘Powerful spice notes with very ripe citrus and stonefruit.’ The palate is ‘inviting and soft to begin, it finishes with the power and firmness of a favourable vintage with multiple layers of flavour and texture.’

The grapes were estate-grown at the Johnson Estate Vineyard in the lower Waihopai Valley, under the guidance of Viticulturist Adam McCone, the fruit was all harvested in ripe condition with high natural sugar levels in the berries (23.3 –25.1 brix).

Spy Valley Marlborough Gewurztraminer2013is enjoyable now, but also a definite candidate for the cellar. “This wine may take some time to show its best as it unfolds with some bottle age.” Says Bourgeois.‘Old vines that have been diligently looked after by the vineyard team means ripe, structured fruit. The vintages back to 2003 and 2004are still looking good.’

Old vines that have been diligently looked after by the vineyard team means ripe, structured fruit that doesn’t need any interventions in the winemaking process.

“One of Spy Valley’s core values is to consistently over deliver with award winning varietally true wines. Winning the Champion Trophy for the 2013Gewurztraminerjust reinforces that

we are achieving this goal across the portfolio and highlights the diversity of Marlborough as a region.” Says Gibbs.

Spy Valley was also awarded Elite Gold for the 2012 Spy Valley Marlborough Pinot Noir.

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