Sour grapes as Kiwis win Tri Nations Wine Challenge

THERE may be a few sour grapes after New Zealand wiped the floor with Australia and South Africa in the annual Tri Nations Wine Challenge in Sydney.

The Kiwis romped home with eight trophies, 11 double gold medals, 10 gold medals and New Zealand was named top overall country, leaving its rivals punch drunk.

Australia has dominated the competition throughout its seven-year history but domestic winemakers were left red-faced after the embarrassing loss on home soil.

New Zealand was particularly praised for its shiraz, or syrah, wines.

The Kiwis also cleaned up in the white wine, sparkling, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, pinot noir, merlot, Bordeaux blends and dessert wine categories.

"The quality of New Zealand wines entered this year really demonstrates the ongoing evolution of wine quality in New Zealand," said Kiwi competition judge and wine buff Bob Campbell.

"The results reflect the continuing strength of New Zealand sauvignon blanc in spite of a challenging 2008 vintage, and the quality of our pinot noir, syrah and merlot.

"The excellent red wine vintage experienced in Hawkes Bay and Central Otago in 2007 are also evident in this year's results."

Wines entered in the Tri Nations Wine Challenge were picked by a selector from each country as one of their top wines for each class.

Wineries were then invited to send samples to Sydney to be blind tasted by a panel of respected wine judges from New Zealand, South Africa and Australia.

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