NZ WINEMAKERS HAVE RAISED THEIR QUALITY BAR
11th March 2010
Royal Easter Show Wine Awards - 2010
(from Director: Terry Dunleavy)
NZ WINEMAKERS HAVE RAISED THEIR QUALITY BAR
An indication of the extent to which New Zealand’s winemakers have raised their quality bar has been the increase of top medal awards in the first day of judging at the 2010 Royal Easter Show Wine Awards in Auckland yesterday.
The newly appointed chair of judges, Kate Radburnd comments: “White wines from the 2009 vintage and reds from earlier vintages, mainly 2008, reflected the evident focus of the winemaking community on improving quality by lower yields in vineyards and continued honing of their winemaking technique. The gold medal wines are top class by the highest international standards.“
Ms Radburnd, who is the chief winemaker for C J Pask Winery in Hawkes Bay, made history yesterday when she became the first woman to chair a major national wine competition in New Zealand.
Yesterday, five panels judged 1517 wines, from which they awarded 102 gold medals, 222 silver medals and 551 bronze medals. 276 Wineries entered the competition.
For a complete list of the awards please visit: www.wineshow.co.nz