The New Zealand International Wine Show

This year the New Zealand International Wine Show celebrated it's 22nd birthday with a judging team of 18, which included 13 winemakers. Entries in popular classes such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Noir were in line with previous years but there were lower entry numbers in Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet & Syrah.

The judges often comment about the variety they have on their tables, from Champagne to Vintage Port and that’s part of the success of this wine judging competition – New Zealand’s largest for each of the 22 years.

The standout class in terms of medals was Pinot Noir, with this important variety awarded 8 double gold medals, 28 gold medals, 63 silvers and 73 bronze medals. Sauvignon Blanc received 7 double golds and 24 gold medals with almost all of these wines produced in the current vintage. Other well rewarded classes were Chardonnay with 26 double gold or gold, Rose with 15, Pinot Gris 14, and the overall golds and double golds in the sparkling classes totaled 22.

There is always a lot of interest in regional supremacy, this was the result this year:

Central Otago Pinot Noir with 18, Marlborough Pinot Noir 10.

Hawke's Bay Chardonnay with 10, Marlborough Chardonnay 15.

On a technical question we are asked how a wine can be awarded a Double Gold medal. It is a result achieved in the recall judging. The top wines in the initial judging are all re-evaluated by the original panel plus all of the Chief Judges and if every one of the judging team rate it a gold medal – it’s unanimous and a Double Gold medal is awarded.

Under the system in place at the New Zealand International Wine Show a wine does not necessarily have to have been awarded a Double Gold medal to become a Trophy winner.

The results reap enormous benefits for the wine industry - all from the judges labour. It's tough work but someone has to do it! 

Cheers, Kingsley Wood - Wine Show Convenor.