Monday, 9 September 2013

Celebrating Diversity at the 2013 Riverina Wine Show



Media Release



The 2013 Riverina Wine Show results have just been announced and highlight the fantastic diversity and depth of quality in Australian wine with 9 different regions taking home the 11 individual "varietal/style" Trophies awarded this year. Only Coonawarra and Rutherglen doubling up to secure two Trophies each.

International Guest Judge Madeleine Stenwreth MW commented, "The highlights in the competition were truly great examples of Australia's diverse regions at their best expression. I was especially impressed with the classiness of the awarded Cabernet Sauvignon, the purity, elegance and restraint of cool climate styles of Chardonnay, the 2013 Semillons as well as the aged beauties of this unique variety".

When it came to the "Best of…" Trophies, there were some familiar faces in the crowd at this weekend's Awards Presentation, as some of the previous year's finalists returned for a re-match to see who would win the hotly contested title of 'Best Still Wine of Show'.

Last year, Brand's Laira's 171 Cabernet Sauvignon (2009 vintage) narrowly missed out to Zeppelin's Amelie Shiraz to be named 'Best Dry Red', which in turn was beaten to the 'Best Still Wine of Show' Trophy by the 'Best Dry White', the Echelon Wine Partners' Armchair Critic Chardonnay (2010 vintage).

However this year was the year for Cabernet to shine again with the 2010 vintage of the Brand's Laira's 171 Cabernet Sauvignon collecting the title of 'Best Dry Red' and then being selected over the new 'Best Dry White', the 2012 vintage of the Echelon Wine Partners' Armchair Critic Chardonnay, to be crowned the top 'Best Still Wine of Show'.

Jim Brayne, Chief Operating Officer at McWilliam's Wines and Brand's Laira representative said, "We are thrilled that the consistent quality of our wines has been recognised by the judges at the Riverina Wine Show and also that our newest vintage has excelled at this competition. This is a fantastic follow on to the multi award winning 2009 vintage Cabernet. 2010 was an outstanding vintage for us in the Coonawarra and has enabled us to produce Cabernet's which we believe are world class as well as amongst the best in Australia."

The other highly anticipated category of 'Best Popular Premium wine' saw a Trophy awarded to Jacob's Creek St Hugo Shiraz Cabernet 2010. The Riverina Wine Show is unique in its aim to specifically recognise the quality of "Popular Premium" wines - those wines which are widely available to the general public, with production runs of at least 60,000 bottles.

As Chair of Judges Ben Edwards (co-contributor to James Halliday's Wine Companion and President of Sommeliers Australia) puts it, "Trophies that highlight to the consumer that big can be beautiful!"

Well known local winery De Bortoli Wines not only collected the Best Shiraz Trophy for their 2012 Windy Peak Shiraz but were also awarded the title of overall 'Most Successful Exhibitor' flying the flag for local producers at the show.

Full list of Trophy winners below …

Judging was held at Woodside Hall, Griffith Showgrounds on 27,28th August and the winners were announced at the Awards Presentation luncheon on Saturday 7th September in conjunction with the Griffith Jockey Clubs race day.

Trophy winning wines at the 2013 Riverina Wine Show:


1] Best Semillon - sponsored by the Riverina Winemakers Association

Tempus Two Copper Zenith Semillon 2008 (Hunter Valley)

2] Best Semillon Blend - sponsored by the Riverina Winemakers Association

Not awarded

3] Best Dry White, Floral Styles - sponsored by Braid Logistics Australia

Jacob's Creek 2012 Reserve Barossa Riesling (Barossa)

4] Best Dry White, Other Varieties - sponsored by Amcor

Not awarded

5] Best Chardonnay 1yo - donated by the Griffith Show Society

Echelon Wine Partners Armchair Critic Chardonnay 2012 (Tumbarumba)

6] Best Chardonnay over 1 yo - sponsored by the Riverina Winemakers Association

Evans & Tate Pemberton Chardonnay 2011 (Pemberton)

7] Best Shiraz - sponsored by Collier and Miller

De Bortoli Windy Peak Shiraz 2012 (Heathcote)

8] Best Cabernet Sauvignon - sponsored by Patrick Portlink

Brand's Laira "171" Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 (Coonawarra)

9] Best Durif - sponsored by the AEB Group

Westend The Boxer Durif 2012 (Riverina)

10] Best Dry Red, other varieties - sponsored by Riverina Winemakers Association

Bleasdale Wines Premium Malbec 2012 (Langhorne Creek)

11] Best Dry Red Blend - sponsored by Classic Oak

Brand's Laira August Tide Dry Red 2010 (Coonawarra)

12] Best Fortified, Sweet Style – sponsored by Tarac Technologies

Morris Wines Old Premium Rare Liqueur Tokay (Rutherglen)

13] Best Fortified, Australian Fortified Red Style – sponsored by Collotype Labels

Pfeiffer Wines 2012 Christopher's VP (Rutherglen)


The "Best of …" Trophies


14] Best Still Wine from Riverina Fruit - sponsored by the Wine Grapes Marketing Board

Westend The Boxer Durif 2012 (Riverina)

15] Best Popular Premium red wine - sponsored by Woolworth's Liquor Group

Jacob's Creek St Hugo Shiraz Cabernet 2010 (Barossa)

16] Best Popular Premium sparkling wine

Not awarded

17] Best Popular Premium white wine - sponsored by Riverina Winemakers Association

Not awarded

18] Best Dry Red - sponsored by Riverina Winemakers Association

Brand's Laira "171" Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 (Coonawarra)

19] Best Dry White - sponsored by the Port of Melbourne

Echelon Wine Partners Armchair Critic Chardonnay 2012 (Tumbarumba)

20] Best Still Wine of Show - the Ian Bicego Trophy

Brand's Laira "171" Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 (Coonawarra)

21] Most Successful Exhibitor of Still Wines made from Local Fruit - sponsored by A & G

De Bortoli Wines (Riverina)

22] Most Successful Exhibitor - sponsored by the Port of Melbourne

De Bortoli Wines (Riverina)


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