Clear Image Hunter Valley Wine Show 2014
Announcement posted by White Ink 18 Aug 2014
MEDIA RELEASE: Friday 15 August 2014
CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF HUNTER VALLEY WINEMAKING
2014 is being claimed as the “vintage of the century” in the Hunter Valley and backing onto a standout 2013 vintage, there was cause for celebration at today’s Clear Image Hunter Valley Wine Show.
Celebrating the 40th vintage of one of the countries oldest regional wine shows proved to be another good reason for the Hunter Valley to kick up its heels at the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley this afternoon.
With almost 400 locals, winemakers and out-of-town guests in attendance, some 20 trophies were awarded but the highlights were arguably the Best Dry White Wine of the Show, which was awarded to Tyrrell’s 2006 Vat 1 Semillon and the trophy for the Best Dry Red Wine of the Show going to Pepper Tree Wines 2011 Tallawanta Grand Reserve Shiraz.
Brokenwood was named the Most Successful Exhibitor of Young Wines, while the third wine to be named “Iain Riggs Wine of Provenance” (an award introduced in 2012) was awarded to Thomas Wines Cellar Reserve Braemore Semillon for the 2004, 2006 and 2014 vintages.
Two new trophies were introduced in this 40th anniversary year. The first being the Innovation Trophy for which the De Iuliis ShIraz Touriga Nacional stood out amongst the 30 wines entered which were considered to be pushing the boundaries of traditional Hunter Valley winemaking.
The second newly inducted trophy is the Silver Bullet, which was presented by international wine show judge Fongyee Walker for a wine which she believes is of truly an international standard. This new trophy went to Draytons for its 1978 Tawny Port.
A team of respected wine show judges led by Jim Chatto in his third year as Chair of Judges immersed themselves in 738 Hunter Valley wines from 73 producers this week in Singleton. Judges included International guest judge Fongyee Walker from Beijing, China, visiting judges Mike Bennie and Russell Cody, Panel Chairs Tom Carson, Corinna Wright and Nick Stock together with Hunter Judges Chris Tyrrell, Scott Comyns and Andrew Thomas.
“This year 54 Gold, 131 Silver and 249 Bronze medals were awarded, up on 2013 with 20 Trophies being shared between just 9 companies. The range of wines, varietals and styles awarded today truly represents all the great things that we as a region are collectively doing. This show provides a real benchmark for the region. Congratulations to all winners,” Mike De Iuliis, Vice President of Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association says.
Jim Chatto, Chair of Judges said of his third year as Chair of Judges, “The judges were very impressed by the sheer quality and unique personality of our truly regional wines. With two thirds of our judging panel being visitors, it wasn’t just the local judges impressed with the quality. It seemed that all the judges were equally enamoured with what we are doing here in the Hunter Valley. It’s an exciting era in our long and proud history.”
“Personally I thought the strength of the Shiraz classes were a standout for me. I believe the Hunter is making our best reds since the 1960’s. The quality of the 2011 and 2013 vintages in particular adds greatly to this argument.” added Chatto.
The Clear Image Hunter Valley Wine Show this year celebrated its 40th year and is widely regarded as the country’s leading regional show. It has a strict regional focus and is exclusively for wines made with grapes grown in the Hunter Valley.
A special VIP trade and media tasting hosted by 2014 Hunter Valley Wine Show judges and winemakers featuring the award-winning wines will be held in Melbourne on 16 September from 10am-12pm at Bellota and in Sydney on 17 September at Fix St James from 4-6pm. In Melbourne there will be a special Shiraz and Semillon Masterclass held. Bookings essential.
Full list of trophy winners:
Marshall Flannery Trophy
Current Vintage – Semillon
Briar Ridge Vineyard 2014 Dairy Hill Single Vineyard Semillon
Current Vintage and One Year Old – Chardonnay
George Wyndham Memorial Trophy
Tyrrell’s Vineyard 2013 Belford Chardonnay
Jay Tulloch Trophy
Best Verdelho
No Trophy Awarded
Current Vintage – Dry White Wine
– Other White Varietals & Blends
No Trophy Awarded
Henry John Lindeman Memorial Trophy
Best Two Year Old and Older Chardonnay
Tyrrell’s Vineyards 2012 Belford Chardonnay
Alexander Munro Memorial Trophy
Best One Year Old Shiraz
Brokenwood Wines 2013 Mistress Shiraz
Singleton Council Tropy
Most Successful Exhibitor of Young Wines
– Current Vintage Dry White Wines
& One-Year-Old Dry Red Wines
Brokenwood Wines
Ed Joualet Memorial Trophy
One-Year-Old Dry Semillon
Two Rivers Wines 2013 Stones Throw Semillon
Elliott Family Trophy
Two-Year-Old Dry Shiraz
No Trophy Awarded
Best Other Red Wine
Alternative Red Varietals & Blends – Any Vintage
De Iuliis Wines 2013 Shiraz Touriga Nacional
James Busby Memorial Trophy
Best Mature 3 Year Old and Older Shiraz
Pepper Tree Wines 2011 Tallawanta Grand Reserve Shiraz
McGuigan Family Trophy
Best Mature 2 Year Old and Older Semillon
Tyrrell’s Vineyards 2006 Vat 1 Semillon
Doug Galbraith Memorial Trophy
Best Sweet White Wine
No Trophy Awarded
Trevor Drayton Memorial Trophy
Best Fortified Wine
Drayton’s Family Wines Heritage Vines Verdelho NV
John Lewis Newcastle Herald Trophy
Best Museum Red
De Iuliis Wines 2006 Show Reserve Shiraz
Graham Gregory Memorial Trophy
Best Museum White Wine
Tyrrell’s Vineyards 2005 HVD Semillon
Hector Tulloch Memorial Trophy
Best Shiraz
Pepper Tree Wines 2011 Tallawanta Grand Reserve Shiraz
Maurice O’Shea Memorial Trophy
Best Semillon
Tyrrell’s Vineyards 2006 Vat 1 Semillon
Premium Vintage Sparkling Wine
No Trophy Awarded
Murray Tyrrell Chardonnay Trophy
Best Chardonnay - Any Vintage
Tyrrell’s Vineyards 2012 Belford Chardonnay
Draytons Family Trophy
Best Named Vineyard – Red Wine
Sponsored by Draytons Wines & Robyn Drayton Wines
Pepper Tree Wines 2011 Tallawanta Grand Reserve Shiraz
Tyrrell’s Family Trophy
Best Named Vineyard – White Wine
McLeish Estate 2007 Semillon
Len Evans Trophy
Best Named Vineyard Wine
McLeish Estate 2007 Semillon
Petrie-Drinan Trophy
Best White Wine of the Show
Sponsored by Clear Image
Tyrrell’s Vineyards 2006 Vat 1 Semillon
Doug Seabrook Memorial Trophy
Best Red Wine of the Show
Sponsored by Clear Image
Puncheon Supplied by Mercurey Australia
Pepper Tree Wines 2011 Tallawanta Grand Reserve Shiraz
Iain Riggs Wines of Provenance
Thomas Wines Cellar Reserve Braemore Semillon
2004, 2006, 2014
Full results will be available from 18 August online at www.hunterwineshow.com.au
For media enquiries, interviews and photo opportunities please contact:-
Kylie White, White Ink PH (02) 9439 1633 or (0401) 408 080 kyliewhite@whiteink.com.au