By Amy Looker, editor – National Liquor News
Aldi has given new meaning to the term ‘cheap and cheerful’ at this year’s Sydney International Wine Competition, with several of the retailer’s wines in the under $10 bracket named in the top 100 and two others picking up trophies.
Two trophies went to the 2013 Tudor Central Victoria Shiraz, which retails for $12.99, while the Veuve Monsigny Champagne Premier Cru, which retails for $29.99, won the Lanson International Diffusion Perpetual Trophy for Best Sparkling Wine of Competition.
Aldi private label El Toro Macho, a $4.99 Spanish Tempranillo, was awarded a Blue Gold award, while The Pond Cabernet Sauvignon from South East Australia, the A.C Byrne & Co. Semillon Sauvignon Blanc and the A.C Byrne & Co. Shiraz were all named in the top 100 and retail for under $10.00.
Aldi’s wine buyer, Jason Bowyer, said the retailer was proud of its range of wines and the awards the portfolio has amassed.
“Our wines have been judged against a variety of wines at every price point, which is testament to our commitment to offer Australians high quality products at permanently low prices,” said Bowyer.
More than 2000 wines were entered into this year’s awards, which were then blind tasted and judged alongside food by a panel of 14 local and international judges, which the competition’s convener, Warren Mason, says makes a stark difference to the overall flavour profile of the wine.
“Judging the wines that made it to the final rounds with food made a significant difference to the award winning wines because they are not just judged for technical correctness – that was done in the first phase – they are judged again for their harmony and balance, key to their ability to complement appropriate food dishes,” said Mason.
For a full list of winners at the 2015 Sydney International Wine Competition click here.