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Best Sauvignon Blanc in the World and a Trio of Trophies for Yealands Estate at the International Wine Challenge

Wednesday 12 September 2012, 11:26PM

By Porter Novelli New Zealand

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Yealands Estate has collected a trio of trophies at the International Wine Challenge Awards ceremony held in London last night.

In addition to the International Sauvignon Blanc and the White Marlborough trophy, Yealands Estate Single Block S1 Sauvignon Blanc 2011 was also awarded the 2012 James Roger Trophy.

The James Roger Award is presented to the best wine in the International Wine Challenge, in its first year of production. The wine must be a new blend and label, or from a recently acquired single vineyard site.

The winning wine is made exclusively from fruit grown in the Yealands Estate Seaview Vineyard, in the Awatere Valley, Marlborough.

Tamra Washington, Chief Winemaker at Yealands Estate, collected the three trophies last night and says the recognition signifies that the quality of Sauvignon Blanc coming out of Yealands Estate is amongst the best in the world.

“The Single Block Sauvignon Blanc is a pure expression of the Yealands Estate Seaview Vineyard. The vineyard consistently produces distinctive, aromatic and textured Sauvignon Blanc, which has obviously resonated with the judges.”

The judging panel, including Tim Atkin MW, Oz Clarke, Charles Metcalfe, Sam Harrop MW, Derek Smedley MW and Peter McCombie MW, described the wine as “a great example of a Sauvignon Blanc from the Awatere Valley with a fragrant slightly floral nose with herbal aromas, striking acidity on the palate with a fresh finish. A thrilling wine!”

The Yealands Estate Single Block S1 Sauvignon Blanc 2011 is currently sold exclusively through Marks & Spencer in the UK, and is expected to be released in New Zealand later this year and will be available for purchase from leading retailers.

“This wine has been an overwhelming success in the UK market, so we’re looking forward to making it available to New Zealand consumers. The success reflects the efforts and hard work of our vineyard and winemaking teams,” says Yealands Estate Owner and Founder, Peter Yealands.

The International Wine Challenge is considered the largest and most prestigious competition in the world, featuring over 12,000 wines. Trophies are awarded to the very best examples from their class and selected from the gold medal wines, after a rigorous process where the wines are judged at least three times.