Nelson Reds Collect Wine Competition Gold

Nelson is not renowned for its red wines, but three have collected gold medals at the inaugural Spiegelau International Wine Competition.

Kahurangi Estate's syrah 2010, its Heaphy Series Nelson pinot noir 2010, and Riwaka River Estate's Resurgence pinot noir 2010 won golds, along with Brightwater Vineyards' Nelson sauvignon blanc 2010.

They were among 1108 wines from New Zealand, France, Italy, Australia, Spain and Portugal entered in the Blenheim-based competition, which replaced the defunct Liquorland wine show.

Judges awarded 68 gold, 206 silver and 429 bronze medals and used style-specific Spiegelau glassware for what is believed to be the first time in competition.

Trophy winners will be announced at the awards dinner in Auckland on Friday.

Kahurangi managing director Greg Day said it was the first time the winery had won a gold for its reds. "So to get two at one show is quite astounding.

"We're pretty excited by that, particularly when Central Otago is regarded as the home of pinot noir and Hawke's Bay the home of syrah."

The winery also won a gold for Williams and Humbert's 12-year-old Pedro Ximinez sherry, which it imports from Spain.

Mr Day said the 2010 was Kahurangi's best vintage since he got involved in 1998, with the syrah grapes grown by Jeff Marr at Golden Hills Estate and the pinot noir a blend from several growers. Half of the 1300 cases of the pinot had so far been sold. The syrah had only been bottled in February and would be sold to restaurants and at the cellar door.

This year had been more difficult for reds, with a wet end to harvest, particularly pinot noir, but he still expected to produce a good syrah.

Pat Robertson, of Riwaka River Estate, was delighted with the vineyard's success. Its pinot noir came from just 12 rows of vines.

Made by Anchorage Wines, it was the first wine Ms Robertson has entered in three years of owning the 0.4-hectare vineyard at the bottom of the Takaka Hill.

"It is a real bonus ... and lets us know we're doing things the right way."

The vineyard, which also makes chardonnay and sauvignon blanc, sells all its wines at the cellar door.

Gary Neale, of Brightwater Vineyards, said he was rapt with the gold medal but wasn't surprised √ the wine had already earned several five-star reviews.

It was the only gold medal awarded to a sauvignon blanc from outside Marlborough region. The winery had received golds for that variety for six consecutive years, he said.

Brightwater also collected four silvers, for its Nelson pinot gris 2010, Lord Rutherford pinot gris 2010, Lord Rutherford barrique chardonnay 2009 and Nelson pinot noir 2010.

Mr Neale said the gold medal would help sales of its sauvignon blanc in its major export markets in Britain, Australia and the United States.

"It all helps to build the brand of Nelson sauvignon blanc in those markets which is what it's all about."

Bottling of its 2011 wines would begin this month and they had worked hard to ensure they had the same intensity of flavour as 2010 "as your reputation is only as good as your last wine", he said

The Nelson Mail
2 July 2011