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Gisborne Regional Wine Awards 2011

Monday 30 May 2011, 2:10PM

By Gisborne Wine

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GISBORNE

A hand-picked attention-stacked chardonnay has come up trumps as supreme wine of show at the inaugural GisVin Awards Dinner for the Gisborne Regional Wine Awards.

Villa Maria's Reserve Barrique Fermented Gisborne Chardonnay 2009 headed off 137 other wines to take top honours at the event.

It's a wine that has received plenty of accolades in the past, including five stars from both Cuisine and Winestate magazines over the past year. Earlier vintages from the same vineyards have won some of the nation's top awards.

Judges Jane Skilton, Yvonne Lorkin, Simon Nunns, Larry McKenna, Simon Waghorn, Ralph Kyte-Powell and Ant McKenzie, chose the 2009 Chardonnay from the 13 gold medal winners of the show.

Chief judge, Master of Wine Jane Skilton said the beauty of such a show highlighted any region's strengths and weaknesses, so it was somewhat fitting that the champion of show was a chardonnay.

“Shows like this give a great overview and very clear picture of what is happening in the region,” she says. “As well as a chance to experience new emerging grape varieties, it's an opportunity to see the innovative styles being put into practice.”

More than 200 people packed into Wharf Shed 3 at the black tie awards dinner where MC Mark Leishman entertained them all, and chef Darryn Clyne matched divine dishes with the top wines.

On hand to receive the top trophy for the supreme wine was Villa Maria's Gisborne viticulturist Tony Green, who actually planted some of the vines responsible for producing the grapes for the barrique fermented 2009 chardonnay.

It seems no expense is spared in creating this top drop. Around 40 tonnes of grapes are hand picked from the McIldowie, McDiarmid Hill and Katoa vineyards, with only the best selected for the winemakers to work with.

“These are excellent vineyards,” says Mr Green. “They're on hill sides, so there is no water lying around, have good drainage and great angle to the sun.”

The 2009 vintage is remembered for being the second driest since 1998, with a high number of growing degree days leading to ripe, clean fruit boasting great flavour.

The Katoa and McDiarmid Hill vineyards were planted around 14 years ago, with the McIldowie only on its second harvest.

The Millton Vineyard picked up a number of awards, including the very special Bill Irwin Trophy – which celebrates a new initiative representing Gisborne's unique entrepreneurial nature – for their Crazy by Nature Shotberry Chardonnay 2010.

Judges said it had been a clear winner for a number of characteristics including the symbolic icons on the packaging, the clever use of words and that it is a new angle on a favoured Gisborne varietal.

“Wine today has to be as much a marketing story to entice your consumer in,” says Jane Skilton.

Wines entered into the event had to be at least 85% local grapes, with the top ones being promoted to wine publications and journalists over the coming year.

Show organisers were chuffed at the support for the new event from both wineries and the wider industry through sponsorship.

“We set out to create a competition that promotes the excellence in the winemaking of all Gisborne grape varieties,” says contest director Prue Younger. “It's done that and more, and there is no doubt this is going to become a highlight of the Gisborne wine calendar that will be even bigger next year.”

Organisers and judges were most impressed with the array and quality of varietals in the show.

From the 137-strong entries 12 varietal winners were found, with three overall selections winners and five trophy winners.

Honours were spread evenly across the region – from the small boutique style vineyards and wineries, right through to the giants.

Judges were treated to an exclusive vineyard and cellar door tour of the district once their formal duties were finished.

“This event is much more than a wine competition – it’s an opportunity to provide visiting judges and wine media with a true and unique expression of our beautiful wine region”.

Results :

Supreme Wine of Show (sponsored by Gisvin Limited): Villa Maria Reserve Barrique Fermented Gisborne Chardonnay 2009

Highest Awarded Wine Company (sponsored by Eastland Community Trust): Lion Nathan.

Best Value Wine Under $20 (sponsored by Indevin): Coopers Creek Gewurztraminer 2010.    

Bill Irwin Trophy (sponsored by Villa Maria Estate): The Millton Vineyard Crazy by Nature – Shotberry Chardonnay 2010.

Lead Viticulturist Trophy (sponsored by Farmlands/Skeltons): David Bullivant (Indevin) and Sarah Phillips (Indevin).

Overall White Varietals Selection (sponsored by Eastland Community Trust):TW Wines Estate Chardonnay 2010, Villa Maria Reserve Barrique Fermented Gisborne Chardonnay 2009, The Millton Vineyard Riverpoint Viognier 2010, The Millton Vineyard Clos Samuel Viognier Special Berry Selection 2010, Huntaway Reserve Pinot Gris 2010, Coopers Creek Gewurztraminer 2010.

Overall Red Varietals Selection (sponsored by Alexander Transport): Spade Oak Syrah 2009, Longbush Bird Series Syrah 2009, Matawhero Merlot 2010, Kirkpatrick Estate Winery Wild Rose 2009, Kirkpatrick Estate Winery Reserve Malbec 2010, Coopers Creek Limited Reserve Release Gisborne Malbec 2010.

Overall Gisborne Selection (sponsored by Portside Hotel): Villa Maria Reserve Barrique Fermented Gisborne Chardonnay 2009,     Coopers Creek Limited Reserve Release Gisborne

Malbec 2010, The Millton Vineyard Riverpoint Viognier 2010, The Millton Vineyard Clos

Samuel Viognier Special Berry Selection 2010, Huntaway Reserve Pinot Gris 2010, Coopers

Creek Gewurztraminer 2010.

Class Category:

Pinot Gris (sponsored by Flavour): Huntaway Reserve Pinot Gris 2010.

Gewürztraminer (sponsored by Weatherells Transport): Coopers Creek Gewurztraminer 2010.

Sauvignon Blanc (sponsored by Crown Sheetmetals):Hihi Sauvignon Blanc 2010.

Viognier (sponsored by EIT Tairawhiti): The Millton Vineyard Riverpoint Viognier 2010

Rose (sponsored by Eastland Group): Kirkpatrick Estate Winery Wild Rose 2009

Merlot (sponsored by Martins Event & Party Hire): Matawhero Merlot 2010

Sparkling (sponsored by Lion Nathan):Te Hana Sparkling Reserve Cuvee NV

Chardonnay   (sponsored by Label & Litho): Villa Maria Reserve Barrique Fermented Gisborne Chardonnay 2009.

Syrah  (sponsored by Redox): Longbush Bird Series Syrah 2009.

Other Whites (sponsored by Armourtech): Bushmere Estate Chardonnay/Viognier 2010

Reds Blends and Others     (sponsored by RadioNetwork): Coopers Creek Limited Reserve Release Gisborne Malbec 2010.

Dessert (sponsored by The Gisborne Herald): The Millton Vineyard Clos Samuel Viognier Special Berry Selection 2010.