Annual wine show ‘uncorked’ for 2014

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Judging has kicked off for the 2014 New Zealand International Wine Show.

Now in its 10th year, the wine show has firmly established itself as the largest annual wine competition held in New Zealand. Wines from any country and made from any variety can be entered.

Each year it receives more than 2000 entries from producers around the world and this year’s event could set an entry record. Following on the heels of a large volume and high quality New Zealand vintage in 2013, the 2014 harvest will also be one of the biggest and is expected to produce many outstanding wines.

It’s also anticipated a top-line range of wines will be entered from Australia, as most wineries will now be promoting their 2012 reds and this vintage was one of the best ever in that country.

Combine the New Zealand and Australian entries with those from France, Spain, Italy, Chile, Argentina, Portugal and elsewhere and this year’s New Zealand International Wine Show promises to be the biggest and best yet, organisers say.

The judging which started on Monday goes for three days and wineries are notified of embargoed results before the weekend.

Medal results will be published online on September 15. A public medal tasting will be held on the 25th and an awards dinner will be held on the evening of Saturday the 27th. Two days later trophy results will be available.

The judging team consists of chief judge Bob Campbell MW, along with assistant chief judges Larry McKenna, Peter Cowley, John Hancock who will be supported by an experienced team of 22 senior judges.

A unique Pick the Trophies Challenge on the 25th at the Crown Plaza Hotel will see all the gold medal winners being available for the public to taste.

The ‘challenge’ is for people to try to pick at least four of the Trophies, which the judges have already chosen, and which are subsequently announced at the awards dinner.

Every person who can pick at least four Trophy winners goes into a prize draw to win a $NZ1000 gift voucher from First Glass Wines & Spirits Ltd. The draw is made at the end of the tasting and is given out on the night.

Many people have played important roles in making New Zealand wine the success that it now is. Each year the New Zealand International Wine Show will honour the person who has been selected for his or her outstanding contribution to New Zealand wine.

To acknowledge that person, a special award has been created and named in honour of a man who unquestionably has made one of the greatest contributions to the New Zealand Wine Industry, Sir George Fistonich. The award is now known as The Sir George Fistonich Medal.

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