Monday 26 September 2011

NSW Wine Top 40 Unveiled Today

REVEALS HIGH QUALITY & HUGE DIVERSITY
 
The battle narrows today for the coveted 2011 Citibank NSW Wine of the Year title, with the announcement of the 2011 Citibank NSW Wine Awards Top 40 Wines (full list of winners below). And this year, more than any other, the winning wines truly represent the high quality and huge diversity of the wines available from NSW's 14 different wine regions.

Over 820 wines were entered in to this year's competition, so the panel of 20 judges, Chaired by Huon Hooke, had a hard task to select 40 of the best and most interesting wines to be named part of the Top 40. It is from these wines that the supreme Trophy winners and ultimately the 2011 Citibank NSW Wine of the Year will be selected (and announced on Monday 17 October at the 2011 Citibank NSW Wine Awards Presentation Dinner at Guillaume at the Sydney Opera House).

This year's winning Top 40 is made up of wines from 11 different wine regions (4 more than last year) and an impressive 14 different grape varieties/blends.

Whilst the well-known Hunter Valley wine region still produced a large number of winners (13), Orange increased its holding again this year, moving in to the number two spot with 6 wines named in the Top 40, while the neighbouring Central Ranges, also featured with 3 entries in the Top 40. The other Top 40 titles were shared between the Riverina (5), Canberra District (4), Southern Highlands (3), Mudgee (2), Gundagai (1), Hilltops (1), Shoalhaven Coast (1) and Tumbarumba (1).

Further demonstrating the diversity of NSW wine in style, 14 different grape varieties or blends were used to make these "best-of-the-best" wines. For the white wines, Semillon and Chardonnay still shone but Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Verdelho and Riesling all proved they can make high-quality wines in different regions in NSW. For the red wines, Shiraz was still top but closely followed by Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Tempranillo, Durif, Zinfandel, Merlot and a unique blend of Rondinella and Corvina.

For your chance to taste all of the Top 40 wines and be one of the first to try the wine crowned the 2011 Citibank NSW Wine of the Year,

attend the Citibank NSW Wine Awards "Best of the Best Top 40" Tasting, to be held on Thursday 20 October at the Cargo Hall of the Overseas Passenger Terminal…

Discover the "best of the best" wines from the 2011 Citibank NSW Wine Awards, either in a small group guided by one of the State's most talented winemakers or as a self-guided tour of wine from NSW's diverse wine regions. All guests will receive a souvenir NSW Wine glass and Top 40 wine booklet, and the wines will be accompanied by light refreshments.

When:                                    Thursday 20 October 2011

Where:                                   The Cargo Hall, Overseas Passenger Terminal, Circular Quay

Trade/Media Tasting          2.00- 4.00pm    Pre-registration compulsory at www.nswwine.com.au

Consumer Tasting              5.00- 9.00pm    $55pp including wine, souvenir wine glass, winemaker guided tour & light refreshments

This event is part of Crave Sydney International Food Festival, presented by Citibank.

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

And the Citibank 2011 NSW Wine Awards Top 40 are (in alphabetical order):

 

1.       Angullong 2010  Bulls Roar Tempranillo, Central Ranges ($25)
2.       Audrey Wilkinson 2011 Winemakers Selection Semillon, Hunter ($25)
3.       Ballabourneen 2011 Majors Lane Semillon, Hunter ($25
4.       Barwang "842" 2009 Chardonnay, Tumbarumba ($35)
5.       Brangayne Of Orange 2009 Tristan Cabernet Shiraz Merlot, Orange ($30)
6.       Brokenwood 2011 Forest Edge Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Orange ($25)
7.       Capital Wines 2011 The Whip Riesling, Canberra District  ($19)
8.       Centennial Reserve 2010 Pinot Noir, Southern Highlands ($30)
9.       Centurion Wines 2011 Verdelho, Hunter ($19)
10.    Cherry Tree Hill 2006 Riesling, Southern Highlands ($25)
11.    Constable Estate 2010 Premium Semillon, Hunter ($24)
12.    Coolangatta Estate 2006 Semillon, Shoalhaven Coast ($45)
13.    De Bortoli 2009  Deen De Bortoli Durif, Riverina ($13)
14.    De Bortoli 2008 Noble One, Riverina ($64)
15.    De Iuliis Wines 2009 Steven Vineyard Shiraz , Hunter ($40)
16.    Eden Road 2010 Gundagai Shiraz, Gundagai ($45)
17.    First Creek Wines Winemakers Reserve 2010 Chardonnay, Hunter ($40)
18.    First Creek Wines Winemakers Reserve 2010  Shiraz, Hunter ($42)
19.    Freeman Vineyards Secco Aged Release 2004 Rondinella Corvina, Hilltops ($75)
20.    Hanwood NV Pinot Noir Chardonnay, Riverina ($13)
21.    Hedberg Hill 2010 Claudia's Viognier, Orange ($20)
22.    Lillypilly 2002 Noble Blend, Riverina ($40)
23.    Logan 2009 Weemala Merlot, Central Ranges ($18)
24.    Logan 2009 Cabernet Merlot, Orange ($25)
25.    Lowe 2009 Zinfandel, Mudgee ($75)
26.    Mistletoe Winery 2009 Reserve Chardonnay, Hunter ($40)
27.    Mount Majura Vineyard 2010 Tempranillo, Canberra District ($40)
28.    Nick O'Leary 2010 Shiraz, Canberra District ($30)
29.    Philip Shaw 2010 No 11 Chardonnay, Orange ($35)
30.    Pokolbin Estate 2005 Reserve Shiraz, Hunter ($50)
31.    Printhie Wines2010  Mt Canobolas Collection Chardonnay, Orange ($35)
32.    Ravensworth 2009 Shiraz Viognier, Canberra District ($27)
33.    Saddlers Creek 2008 Supreme Botrytis, Riverina ($36)
34.    Tertini 2009 Pinot Noir, Southern Highlands ($30)
35.    Thistle Hill 2011 Organic Riesling, Mudgee ($40)
36.    Thomas Wines 2006 Braemore Semillon, Hunter ($45)
37.    Tulloch Wines 2011 JYT Selection Semillon, Hunter ($25)
38.    Two Rivers 2011 Stones Throw Semillon, Hunter ($16)
39.    Tyrrell's Vineyards 2008 Vat 47 Chardonnay, Hunter ($50)
40.    Winburndale Wines 2008 Fontana Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Ranges ($30)


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