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2015 RIVERINA WINE SHOW RESULTS ANNOUNCED LAST NIGHT

Announcement posted by Palate PR 04 Sep 2015

The 41st annual Riverina Wine Show results were announced on Thursday 3 September at a gala dinner in Griffith NSW

The 41st annual Riverina Wine Show results were announced on Thursday at a gala dinner in Griffith NSW and as in previous years the entries and winning wines have celebrated the depth of quality and diversity in the Australian wine industry, with the experienced panel of judges - headed by former Wine Director of Rockpool restaurants Sophie Otton - critiquing their way through 56 different wine classes and awarding 10 individual “varietal/style” Trophies to 8 different wine regions!

The big winner of the night was the 2007 McGuigan Bin 9000 Semillon, which was awarded the ‘Ian Bicego Best Still Wine of Show’ Trophy. Chair of Judges Sophie Otton said, “The McGuigan Bin 9000 showed the variety’s slow, controlled development; the kind that tantalises the senses with its lemony fragrance and glimpses of melted butter and toast complexity. This year’s winner absolutely embodied the exhilarating effortlessness and featherweight grace that is Semillon at its best.”

As well as strong entry numbers and some great results in the more traditional classes of Semillon, Shiraz and Cabernet, the judges were also “delighted” to see such diversity amongst the ‘Other Red Varieties’ Class, describing it as “a strong class which proved an exciting category, with expressive and skilfully made examples of Durif, Montepulciano, and Petit Verdot all made locally.” Coincidentally it is one of the Riverina’s strengths, and the perfect place for its cultivation. 

Commenting on other wine styles to look out for, Sophie said, “The ‘2014 Pinot’ Class was an unexpected surprise. On the table, the wines awarded silvers and golds demonstrated a superb graduation, from fruit driven freshness and balance, building to increasing dimensions and layers of flavour, with the top gold showing superb multifaceted complexity. 

The ‘2014 Chardonnay’ Class were also outstanding, garnering a stunning cache of silver and gold medals. This demonstrates that Australian Chardonnay has come of age, offering refined and sophisticated styles that sit well above their price point. The class showed remarkable freshness, balance and purity with the best examples revealing a touch of struck match complexity.        

Finally, but not surprisingly, the ‘Fortified Classes’ were exquisite, and it was a privilege to see them in their chameleon-like incarnations.”

Trophy winning wines at the 2015 Riverina Wine Show:

1] Best Semillon - sponsored by Braid Logistics Australia

McGuigan 2007 Bin 9000 Semillon (Hunter Valley)

2] Best Chardonnay 1yo – sponsored by Orora

McWilliam's Wines 2014 Appellation Chardonnay (Tumbarumba)

3] Best Chardonnay over 1 yo

McWilliam's Wines 2013 Single Vineyard Chardonnay (Tumbarumba)

4] Best Shiraz

Blue Pyrenees Estate 2013 Reserve Shiraz (Pyrenees)

5] Best Cabernet Sauvignon - sponsored by Patrick Portlink

Jacob's Creek 2013 Bungalow Lane Cabernet Sauvignon (Barossa)

6] Best Dry Red, other varieties

Santolin Wines 2014 Individual Vineyard Pinot Noir (Yarra Valley)

7] Best Dry Red Blend - sponsored by Classic Oak

Cellarmasters 2013 Langhorne Creek Area Red Blend (Langhorne Creek)

8] Best Durif - sponsored by the AEB Group

McWilliam's Wines 2013 Hanwood ‘1914’ Durif (Riverina)

9] Best Fortified, Sweet Style – sponsored by Tarac Technologies

Morris Wines Cellar Reserve Grand Tokay (Rutherglen)

10] Best Fortified, Australian Fortified Red Style – sponsored by Collotype Labels

Pfeiffer Wines 2013 Christopher's VP (Rutherglen)

And the “Best of…” Trophies went to…

11] Best Still Wine from Riverina Fruit - sponsored by the Wine Grapes Marketing Board

McWilliam's Wines 2013 Hanwood ‘1914’ Durif (Riverina)

12] Best Popular Premium red wine 

Casella Family Brands 2013 Beyond Horizons Cabernet Sauvignon (SE Australia)

13] Best Dry Red 

Blue Pyrenees Estate 2013 Reserve Shiraz (Pyrenees)

14] Best Dry White

McGuigan 2007 Bin 9000 Semillon (Hunter Valley)

15] Best Still Wine of Show - the Ian Bicego Trophy

McGuigan 2007 Bin 9000 Semillon (Hunter Valley)

 

Special Awards

 

The Sean Hampel Award for Best Shiraz from Riverina Fruit

Nugan Estate 2014 3rd Generation Shiraz(Riverina)

Most Successful Exhibitor of Still Wines made from Local Fruit - sponsored by A & G

Calabria Family Wines (Riverina)

Most Successful Exhibitor - sponsored by the Port of Melbourne

Moppity Vineyards (Hilltops)