By Amy Looker
Judging for the prestigious 2012 Macquarie Group Sydney Royal Wine Show kicks off today at Sydney’s Olympic Park.
More than 2240 wines were submitted to this year’s show, representing almost all of Australia’s wine regions.
There are 37 trophies and numerous gold, silver and bronze medals up for grabs covering a range of classes across varietal wines, fortified wines and brandy.
A panel of leading wine industry experts is responsible for the judging process, led by chairman of judges, Iain Riggs, who has held the position of chairman since 2009.
Riggs will be joined by international guest judge, Ned Goodwin MW, who is the first Japanese-speaking Master of Wine and currently works as the wine director, educator, buyer and sommelier at one of Asia’s largest restaurant groups, Global Dining Japan.
Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS NSW) chair, Lyndey Milan, said Goodwin brings invaluable experience to the judging panel.
“Previous to his role at Global Dining Japan, Mr Goodwin was one of three sommeliers at Veritas restaurant in Manhattan's Grammercy neighbourhood. A Wine Spectator Grand Award winner, Veritas boasts one of the finest wine lists of any restaurant in the world,” Milan said.
“Mr Goodwin also has vast media experience, hosting his own Japanese television show on wine – Vintage – and is a journalist for Meininger’s Wine Business International and Metropolis, Tokyo’s number one foreign magazine.”
The winners of the 2012 Macquarie Group Sydney Royal Wine Show will be announced on Thursday 16 February at the Wine Awards Dinner, which is followed by the Wine Communicators of Australia luncheon on Friday 17 February.
The 2012 Macquarie Group Sydney Royal Wine Show Cellar Tasting takes place on Saturday 18 February at Sydney Olympic Park, where guests will have the opportunity to taste over 2000 wines.
Tickets to the Cellar Door tasting cost $65 per person and can be booked by clicking here.