NSW Wine | Time to Shine

2011 Citibank NSW Wine Awards

Next week the NSW Wine Industry Association will bring together some of the most experienced palates in the country to taste a vast range of wines from the 14 diverse wine regions in New South Wales and help select which wines will be crowned the finest of the year. And the new 2011 Citibank NSW Wine Awards (newly partnered with Citibank to offer greater access for consumers and even more support for NSW wineries) are set to unveil some of the best wines ever with many reds from the cracking 2009 vintage now reaching maturity and the new whites from the recent 2011 vintage offering some of the most exciting wines around.

Judging of the 2011 Citibank NSW Wine Awards takes place on the 19th  & 20th  September, with returning Chair of Judges Huon Hooke being joined by a host of internationally renowned wine writers, sommeliers and wine industry professionals, including the talented tastebuds of Philip Shaw, PJ Charteris, Mike De Garis, Cory Ryan and Nick Bulleid.

President of the NSW Wine Industry Association David Lowe comments, "This year promises to be the most hotly contested competition yet. Last year saw some delicious Chardonnay and Semillon highlighted by our panel of experts and we are looking forward to discovering some exciting emerging varieties this year."

For NSW winemakers, the Citibank NSW Wine Awards is the most serious and highly-regarded competition in their home State, with over 800 wines entered last year. However, it's not just for super-expensive wines with last year seeing 26 of the Top 40 positions being awarded to wines under $30, highlighting to wine-lovers the amazing value-for-money available in NSW.

Entries to the Awards will be critiqued in two stages. In the first stage, 5 panels of judges narrow down the 800 plus entries to approximately 120. These 120 are then re-assessed by the 6 most experienced judges to determine the Top 40 NSW Wines, Trophy Winners and the coveted NSW Wine of the Year. Wines entered into the Citibank NSW Wine Awards are also eligible to receive Gold, Silver and Bronze medals.

And the Awards are just the start of an amazing series of wine events, promoted and supported by major sponsor Citibank, allowing everyone to discover and experience the finest NSW has to offer ~ the 2011 Citibank NSW Wine Awards Program:

·         Monday October 17:    2011 Citibank NSW Wine Awards Gala Presentation Dinner at Guillaume at Bennelong Point, Sydney Opera House

Tickets $220 pp including degustation menu & wines

·         Tuesday October 18:   Tetsuya's Citibank NSW Wine Awards  "Trophy Winners Hats Off" Dinner, hosted by Huon Hooke

Tetsuya's Restaurant, 529 Kent St, Sydney @ 7pm

Tickets $290pp including degustation menu & wines ~ bookings P:  02 9267 2900

·         Thursday October 20:  Citibank NSW Wine Awards "Best of the Best Top 40" Tasting at The Cargo Hall, Overseas Passenger Terminal, Circular Quay

Trade Tasting                    2.00- 4.00pm    Pre-registration compulsory

Consumer Tasting           6.00- 9.00pm    $55pp including Wine, Canapés & Winemaker Guided Tour

Tickets can be purchased online at www.nswwine.com.au