Hunter's triumphs at Royal Easter Show

Hunter’s Wines set of three Marlborough Rieslings have taken out the top prize at the Royal Easter Wine Show, taking the inaugural Heritage Shield for its 2010, 2007 and 2004 Marlborough Rieslings.

The new category at the Royal Easter Wine Show awards 2011 has been introduced to identify and reward wines that have evidenced a capacity to develop grace and complexity over time. For the first time in New Zealand, this national wine competition offers a guide to consumers and wine lovers about cellaring potential of such wines.

“New Zealand Rieslings have always had lengthy cellaring potential and it is very pleasing that this new award recognises wines made in a style that consumers can cellar confidently” said Gary Duke, Chief Winemaker at Hunter’s Wines.

Hunter’s have been making Riesling since the winery’s inception in 1982 and this award is a seal of approval and shows confidence in New Zealand wines ageing potential.

Quality not quantity has been an adage that Hunter’s have endorsed for 30 years, taking out over 160 Gold Medals and 30 trophies for its wines over the years.

Six sets of wines were judged as being worthy of high commendation by three of Australasia’s foremost wine judges, Bob Campbell MW, former Royal Easter chairman, his successor in that role, Kate Radburnd, who last year became the first women to head a national wine judging panel, and Mike DeGaris who has chaired many panels at Australian wine competitions.

“We were given the challenging task of picking just one winner from 26 sets of wines. We would particularly like to acknowledge a very strong short list of wines from which we chose the ultimate winner” said Mr Campbell.

The Heritage Shield triumph follows on from the recent success of Hunter’s 2010 Riesling in Cuisine magazine, where it was rated as the Top Dry Riesling and the Best Buy in that category. “It’s a lovely drink that will age gracefully” noted Judge John Belsham.