New Zealand International Wine Show

The New Zealand International Wine Show 2012 attracted 2122 entries making it the largest wine show in the country and

also one of the largest international judging competitions in the southern hemisphere. Under the chairmanship of Bob

Campbell MW, the team of 26 senior judges awarded 224 gold medals a record for any competition in New Zealand.

Amongst the highlights was the awarding of 23 gold medals in the Sauvignon Blanc class and importantly 21 going to wines

from the "testing" 2012 vintage. This is excellent news for our most prolific variety as there were question marks over

the quality of the vintage and those questions have now been well and truly answered.

There were 18 golds awarded to Pinot Gris wines mostly of Marlborough origin, 26 golds for Chardonnays and 23 for Pinot

Noirs. The Pinot Noirs were mostly a mixture of Central Otago and Marlborough wines.

The NZ International Wine Show has always attracted a stunning line up of Australian reds with the quality of wines this

year probably the strongest yet. 43 gold medals were awarded to Shiraz/Syrah wines.

Overall 13 countries were represented with wines from Brazil and India entered for the first time.

The Trophies will be announced at the Awards Dinner in Auckland on September 29th