West Cape Howe crowned Royalty of Riesling

West Cape Howe Wines can now add a crown to the trophy cabinet after taking out the inaugural Royalty of Riesling title.

Royalty of Riesling, the first event of its kind created by Mt Barker Wine Producers Association (MBWPA), aims to celebrate and promote the Riesling variety for which Mt Barker is well known.

West Cape Howe winemaker Andrew Siddell accepted the title of 2013 Royalty of Riesling, along with the crown and cape, to round off a successful year for the winery.

West Cape Howe Wine’s Riesling won a gold medal at the recent Royal Perth Wine Show, and is the only Western Australian producer to have four wines listed in James Halliday’s Top 100 Wines for 2013.

Mt Barker Wine Producers Association president Kim Tyrer congratulated West Cape Howe Wines on taking out the title and said there had been a fantastic response from producers to the initiative. Runner up was Arcadia Wines.

“As far as Mt Barker wine producers winning trophies – we don’t mind who wins, as long as it is someone from the district that will help us to promote it!” Ms Tyrer said.

Points received by Mt Barker wineries for their Riesling during the year entered in the Qantas Wine Show, Royal Melbourne Wine Show, Perth Royal Wine Show, and International Riesling Challenge were tallied up to determine who had the most awarded Riesling.

The presentation was made at a special ‘wine-downer’ where each producer brought along a magnum of their Riesling for all to taste and discuss as the scores were calculated.

Sarah Clancy of West Cape Howe Wines said Royalty of Riesling was a friendly way of competing against each other and the presentation night enabled industry members to learn more about what they were doing in the vineyard.

“Being able to taste through the ‘Brownlow Medal-like count also made it a fun wine event to celebrate the local wine industry and Riesling,” Ms Clancy said.

Ms Tyrer said there had been a lot of interest generated by Royalty of Riesling and MBWPA will go ahead with plans to open up the next year to wineries from around the Great Southern.

ENDS

Media Enquiries: Mount Barker Wine Producers president Kim Tyrer is available for interview on 0418 941 551.

The Mount Barker wine region is located about three (3) hours south of Perth and is generally regards as the most important subregion of the Great Southern. The climate in the region during growing season offers warm and sunny days providing important sunlight availability and excellent fruit ripening conditions, while the cool nights enhance and retain acidity.

For more information go to www.mountbarkerwine.com.au