Sirromet red and white wines take top honours at Beijing wine challenge

The company headed by Gold Coast businessman Terry Morris claimed gold in the Wine China Exhibition Show for a 2008 Signature Collection Shiraz Viognier (rrp $35), a 2009 Signature Collection Chardonnay ($35), and a 2009 Le Sauvage 'Wild Yeast' Cabernet Shiraz ($55).

Sirromet began exporting to China in 2008.

China is Australia's fastest-growing wine market.

The rising popularity of dry reds has boosted Sirromet's fortunes there.

This year the company exported 50,000 bottles there in four containers, two of them to Jiangxi-based Dong Run Investment Holding Company and its affiliates, and the other two to distributors and clients in the Shandong and Guangxi provinces.

``These medals will help us expand our current exports to China because they give the Sirromet brand extra credibility in the marketplace over there," said Director of Sales and Marketing Rod Hill.

Judging for the Chinese competition was held at Beijing's National Agricultural Exhibition Centre last month and the results posted yesterday.

It's a terrific boost for Queensland wines with the gold medal fruit from Sirromet's vineyards at Ballandean on the Granite Belt.

The wine is bottled at the company's headquarters at Mount Cotton, south-east of Brisbane.

Said Hill: ``Dry reds are the favourite wine style in China, and the growth rate of imported wines there is about 30-percent annually.''

"Most of our Chinese exports are a mix of dry reds across premium, medium-priced, and entry-level ranges, but we are also sending some white wines."

Hill said Sirromet's move into China this year also included the appointment of Shanghai-based Australian Dean Lapthorne to oversee relations with existing customers and attract new business.

Sirromet's results in Beijing mean the company has now won 23 gold medals in overseas and Australian competitions since opening in 2000, including four of them this year.

The 2008 Signature Collection Shiraz Viognier and 2009 Signature Collection Chardonnay which claimed gold in Beijing are available from Sirromet's cellar door at Mount Cotton and at its on-site Restaurant Lurleen's.

The 2009 'Le Sauvage' Cabernet Shiraz is exclusive to participants in Sirromet Safari wine and food events, and at the restaurant.

"This wine is from premium parcels of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz fruit, and was aged in French oak for 14 months before bottling," said Sirromet Chief Winemaker Adam Chapman. "The 'wild yeast' adds complexity and sets it apart from our normal range."

He said Sirromet has now won more than 460 medals and awards in the past 11 years.