Marlborough tops NZ for wine awards

Marlborough was the most awarded wine region in the country at this year's Air New Zealand Wine Awards, receiving 314 medals including 41 golds.

Wines from Marlborough also achieved the highest number of medals for sustainable wines, with 49 pure medals awarded to wines from the region, including five pure gold medals.

Besides its golds, overall Marlborough wines won 116 silver gongs and 157 bronze.

Sauvignon blanc was the dominant varietal among Marlborough's gold-medal-winning wines, taking out 12 gold medals. Pinot noir and chardonnay were also strong, with seven medals respectively.

Organised by New Zealand Winegrowers, the Air New Zealand Wine Awards is the country's most prestigious wine competition.

This year's competition saw 1655 wines entered from 10 key winegrowing regions.

More than 100 gold medals were awarded for the first time in the awards' history, with the 26-strong judging panel saying quality was "remarkable" across the board.

Sauvignon blanc was awarded 13 gold medals, and the number of silver medals increased from 34 to 53, illustrating the higher overall quality of the 2009 vintage.

For the second year running, pinot noir was the varietal awarded the most gold medals.

The number of gold medals awarded to chardonnay increased from 15 in 2008 to 18 this year.

The gewurztraminer and dessert wine style classes showed a significant increase in gold medals awarded, both increasing from four to seven gold medals this year.

New Zealand Winegrowers global marketing director Chris Yorke said reaching 100 gold medals was a significant milestone for the competition and the results were an international endorsement of the quality of New Zealand wine. Pure gold, pure silver and pure bronze medals for sustainable wines were introduced three years ago and were always looking for ways to make the awards programme more sustainable, Mr Yorke said.

Air New Zealand deputy chief executive Norm Thompson said the significant increase in pure medals awarded this year was extremely encouraging.

"It is important for New Zealand's winegrowers and producers to be seen as leading the way in sustainability.

"It can be a significant point of differentiation on the international market," he said.

For full results, see airnzwineawards.co.nz.

The trophy results will be available after an awards dinner on Saturday November 21.

New Zealand Winegrowers and Air New Zealand will host about 700 guests in Christchurch at a black-tie gala dinner.

- The Marlborough Express