By Amy Looker
South Australia’s Grant Burge Wines and Western Australia’s Cullen Wines were the big winners for Australia at last week’s Decanter World Wine Awards, with both wineries bringing home trophies.
Grant Burge won the international trophy for best sweet fortified wine in show, while Cullen was the recipient of the international trophy for Chardonnay.
Cullen’s win for its 2007 Kevin John Chardonnay signals positive times for Australian Chardonnay, which is up against stiff competition from South American wines in export markets.
Vanya Cullen from Cullen Wines said the winery team was thrilled with the result.
“The 2007 Cullen Kevin John Chardonnay reflects the biodynamic techniques used since 2004 and showing the potential of the vineyard in what was a great vintage,” she said.
Grant Burge was also delighted with the results.
“There is a strong heritage of fortified winemaking in the Barossa and we are really proud to celebrate success at international contests when competing against the world’s best,” Burge said.
The prestigious Decanter World Wine Awards attracted over 10,000 entries from 50 countries in 2010, making it the world’s biggest wine show.