A total of 452 medals have been awarded at this year’s Romeo Bragato Wine Awards, including 36 gold medals, 126 silver medals and 290 bronze medals.
Each of the 788 wines entered this year were judged across three categories: colour and clarity; aroma and bouquet; and taste and general impression.
Chairman of judges Larry McKenna, said the stand-out varietal at this year’s awards was chardonnay, with six gold medals, 18 silver medals and 34 bronze medals awarded across the three chardonnay categories – 2009, 2008, and 2007 and older.
“The quality of the chardonnays entered, particularly those from the 2007 and 2008 vintages, was exceptional – the best I’ve seen at a competition like this,” Mr McKenna said.
“Wines entered in the cabernet sauvignon and gewurztraminer classes were also above expectations, and the judges were very impressed with the overall quality of viognier, an emerging varietal in New Zealand.
“Sauvignon blanc and pinot noir continued to deliver the quality these wines are renowned for in New Zealand.”
The Romeo Bragato Awards, held each year as part of the Romeo Bragato conference, are New Zealand’s only awards for the grape-grower.
The trophy winners, which represent the top wine from each varietal class judged, will be announced at the annual Romeo Bragato conference awards dinner on Saturday August 22 at the Pettigrew-Green Arena in Taradale, Napier.
The gold medal-winning wines by varietal class were:
Chardonnay 2008
Mudbrick Reserve Chardonnay 2008, Mudbrick Vineyard
Chardonnay 2007 and older
Selaks Founders Reserve Chardonnay 2007, Constellation NZ, Corner 50 Estate
The Reserve Chardonnay 2007, Kemblefield Estate Winery
Kina Beach Vineyard Reserve Chardonnay 2007, Kina Beach Vineyard
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Keltern Chardonnay 2007, Villa Maria Estate
Villa Maria Reserve Gisborne Chardonnay 2007, Villa Maria Estate
Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 18 Snap Block Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Saint Clair Family Estate
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 2 Swamp Block Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Saint Clair Family Estate
Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Auntsfield Long Cow Sauvignon Blanc 2008, Indevin Ltd
Riesling 2008
Vic Williams Classic Riesling 2008, New Zealand Wine Cellars
Pinot Gris 2009
Ohau Gravels Pinot Gris 2009, Matahiwi Estate
Golden Hills Estate Pinot Gris 2009, Golden Hills Estate
Pinot Gris 2008
Blackenbrook Pinot Gris 2008, Blackenbrook Winery
Renato Estate Pinot Gris 2008, Renato Estate
Pinot Gris 2007 and older
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 5 Bull Block Pinot Gris 2007, Saint Clair Family Estate
Gewurztraminer 2009
Summerhouse Gewurztraminer 2009, Summerhouse
Gewurztraminer 2008
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 12 Lone Gum Gewurztraminer 2008, Saint Clair Family Estate
Yealands Estate Gewurztraminer 2008, Yealands Estate Wines
Other White Wines 2008
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Omahu Gravels Viognier 2008, Villa Maria Estate
Dessert Wines exceeding 50g/L sugar
Gewurztraminer Susan 2009, Oak House Ltd
Cabernet Sauvignon/predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon blends 2007
Sacred Hill Helmsman Cabernet Merlot 2007, Sacred Hill Wines Ltd
Cabernet Sauvignon/predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon blends 2006 and older
Newton Forrest Cornerstone 2005, Newton Forrest Estate
Merlot/predominantly Merlot blends 2007
Craggy Range ‘Te Kahu’ 2007, Craggy Range Winery
Pinot Noir 2008
Flying Sheep Pinot Noir 2008, Matariki Wines
Gibbston Valley 2008, Gibbston Valley Wines
Le Mineur d’orient 2008, Gibbston Valley Wines
Alexia Pinot Noir 2008, Matahiwi Estate
Black Quail Estate Pinot Noir 2008, Black Quail Estate
Rockburn Pinot Noir 2008, Rockburn Wines Ltd
Pinot Noir 2007
Aravin Pinot Noir 2007, William Hill
Domain Road Pinot Noir 2007, Vinpro Ltd
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Rutherford Pinot Noir 2007, Villa Maria Estate
Slapjack Creek Pinot Noir 2007, Olssens
Mount Dottrel Pinot Noir 2007, Vinpro Ltd
Syrah 2007
Esk Valley Reserve Syrah 2007, Esk Valley Estate
Sacred Hill Deerstalkers Syrah 2007, Sacred Hill Wines Ltd