Central Otago pinot noir named NZ's top wine

A Central Otago pinot noir has taken top honours at this year's Romeo Bragato Wine Awards, winning the Bragato Trophy for champion wine of the national show.

John Olssen, of Olssens Garden Vineyard, produced the winning Olssens Jackson Barry Pinot Noir 2007.

"The Central Otago region consistently produces top quality pinot noir, so it's no surprise that the area has produced this year's champion wine of show," chairman of judges Larry McKenna said.

He said another highlight was the Askerne Noble Semillon 2006 – a class which New Zealand was not traditionally known for – being named the champion dessert wine.

"It is very encouraging to see such high quality wines being produced across a range of emerging varietals. This is testament to the diversity of New Zealand as a winegrowing nation," Mr McKenna said.

The 14 champion awards and nine trophies were spread across the wine-growing regions of Hawke's Bay, Nelson, Marlborough, Martinborough and Central Otago.

The annual Romeo Bragato wine awards were announced in Christchurch last night at a dinner attended by grape growers, viticulturalists, winemakers and industry representatives.

The awards recognised the importance of the grape-growing process and came at the end of the annual three-day Romeo Bragato conference, which discussed the role science, technology and innovation played in grape growing and wine making.

Romeo Bragato was an Italian viticulturalist who arrived in New Zealand in 1895 at the invitation of the government and laid many of the foundations for the modern wine industry.

Award winners:

Champion wine of show, Bragato Trophy, champion pinot noir: Olssens Jackson Barry Pinot Noir 2007, Olssen's Garden Vineyard – Central Otago, John Olssen

Reserve champion wine: Palliser Estate Chardonnay 2007, Palliser Vineyard – Martinborough, Allan Johnson

Champion amateur wine: Silverton Road Merlot Cabernet Malbec 2007, Silverton Road Vineyard – Hawke's Bay, Bruce Leppard

Champion dessert wine: Askerne Noble Semillon 2006, Askerne Vineyard – Hawke's Bay, Kathryn and John Loughlin

Champion riesling: Seifried Riesling 2007, Seifried Estate – Nelson, Hermann Seifried

Champion gewurztraminer: Saint Clair Pioneer Block 12 Lone Gum Gewurztraminer 2007, Lone Gum Vineyard – Marlborough, Chris and Judy Simmonds

Champion pinot gris: Waimea Bolitho SV Pinot Gris 2007, TH & RM Bolitho Vineyard – Nelson, Trevor Bolitho

Champion sauvignon blanc: Saint Clair Pioneer Block `Oh' Block Sauvignon Blanc 2008, Buckland Grove Vineyard – Marlborough, Martin and Gail Goyne

Champion chardonnay: Palliser Estate Chardonnay 2007, Palliser Vineyard – Martinborough, Allan Johnson

Champion cabernet sauvignon: Mills Reef Elspeth Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Mere Road Vineyard – Hawke's Bay, Paddy and Tim Preston

Champion classical red wine: Saint Clair Rapaura Reserve Merlot 2006, Rapaura Vineyard – Marlborough, Neal and Judy Ibbotson

Champion syrah: Newton Forrest Syrah 2006, Cornerstone Vineyard – Hawke's Bay, Bob Newton

Champion other red wine, Beach House Montepulciano 2007, The Track Vineyard – Hawke's Bay, Chris Harrison.

- NZPA