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Marlborough has scooped the pool in this year's New World Wine Awards, picking up more than double the awards tally of second placegetter Hawke's Bay.
Marlborough wines received a total of 180 medals: 19 gold, 42 silver, and 119 bronze.
A total of 1008 wines from 162 wineries were entered in the 10th annual competition, and a record number of gold medals were awarded, which reflected the increasing quality of wines entered, the judges said.
The judging panel, comprising 13 top New Zealand wine judges and commentators, awarded 56 gold, 130 silver and 412 bronze medals. New Zealand wines claimed 38 gold, 78 silver and 252 bronze medals.
New Zealand wines also won all three champion wines: Champion bubbles, Brancott Estate Sparkling Rose; champion white, Wild Rock Pania Chardonnay 2010, and champion red, Mud House Pinot Noir 2010.
Judges scored each wine with the internationally recognised 20-point system used in other leading wine competitions.
All wines entered in the competition must retail for below $25 a bottle, and at least 500 cases must be available for sale.
New World Wine Awards judging chair Jim Harre said the quality of wines entered this year was "outstanding", and reflected the credibility of the awards among winemakers.
Consumers eagerly awaited awards results - last year's champion white sold out nationwide in 10 days, Mr Harre said.
More people were buying wine as part of their grocery shopping, and a bottle of wine costing $25 or less gave people the chance to try varieties they wouldn't normally choose, he said.
All award-winning wines are being distributed and promoted in New World supermarkets nationwide; the top 50 wines would be listed in the New World Wine Awards 2012 booklet.
Full competition results
REGIONAL MEDAL COUNT
Marlborough: Gold, 19; silver, 42; bronze, 119.
Hawke's Bay: Gold, 8; silver, 13; bronze, 50.
Nelson: Gold, 5; silver, 5; bronze, 17.
Canterbury: Gold, 2; silver, 7; bronze, 16.
Wairarapa/Wellington: Gold, 1; silver, 4; bronze, 12.
Gisborne: Gold, 0; silver, 1; bronze, 11.
Otago: Gold, 1; silver, 2; bronze, 14.
Auckland: No medals awarded.
Click here for full competition results
- The Marlborough Express
