Gold Result for Hunter Valley Wineries (video)

By Amy Looker

The winners of the 2011 Clear Image Hunter Valley Wine Show were announced at a gala luncheon on Friday, with Tyrrell’s being awarded Best Dry White Wine of the Show and Thomas Wines taking out the Best Dry Red Wine of the Show.

Chairman of judges, Iain Riggs said this year saw half of the entries awarded medals, on par with previous shows.

“There were 52 gold, 74 silver and 237 bronze medals. A most pleasing aspect of the gold winners is that they were shared between 29 wineries, representing the older family wineries right through to new entrants to the wine industry,” Riggs said.

Trophy winners included Audrey Wilkinson, Ivanhoe Wines, Thomas Wines, Ernest Hill, Pepper Tree Wines, Poole’s Rock Wines, Tyrrell’s, Drayton’s Family Wines, Tempus Two, Allandale Winery and Wombat Crossing Vineyard.

Proving once again that the Hunter is home to some of Australia’s best Semillon, 27 gold medals were awarded to the varietal at this year’s show.

“Once again Semillon dominated the results, receiving 27 of the gold medals, highlighting what this area does best – winning medals from 2011 right back to 1999. Shiraz followed this with 15 gold medals then Chardonnay and Verdelho. The strength of the 2009 Shiraz was also a major highlight of the show,” said Riggs.

The Clear Image Hunter Valley Wine Show marked its 29th year in 2011 and is widely regarded as the country’s leading regional show.

It has a strict regional focus and is exclusively for wines whose grapes are grown in the Hunter Valley.

Click on the video below for the views of international judge Chuck Hayward

 The winners are:

Current Vintage – Semillon
Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard 2011 The Ridge Semillon

Current Vintage – Verdelho
Ivanhoe Wines 2011 Verdelho

Current Vintage Dry White Wine
Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard 2011 The Ridge Semillon

One-Year-Old Dry Red Wine
Ernest Hill Wines 2010 Shareholders Shiraz

Most Successful Exhibitor of Young Wines
– Current Vintage Dry White Wines and One-Year-Old Dry Red Wines
Pepper Tree Wines

One-Year-Old Dry White Wine
Pooles Rock Wines 2010 Chardonnay

Two-Year-Old Dry Red Wine
Thomas Wines 2009 Sweetwater Shiraz

Premium Vintage Dry Red Wine
Thomas Wines 2009 Sweetwater Shiraz

Premium Vintage Dry White Wine
Tyrrell’s Vineyards Pty Ltd 2006 Vat 1 Semillon

Premium Vintage Fortified Wine
Drayton’s Family Wines NV Liqueur Verdelho

Museum Vintage Dry White Wine
Tempus Two Wines 2003 Zenith Semillon

Dry Red Wine – Currently Available
Thomas Wines 2009 Sweetwater Shiraz

Dry White Wine – Currently Available
Allandale Winery 2007 Semillon

Best Chardonnay – Any Vintage
Poole’s Rock Wines 2010 Chardonnay

Best Named Vineyard Wine
Thomas Wines 2007 Cellar Reserve Braemore Semillon

Best 100 percent Hunter Valley Dry Red Wine
Wombat Crossing Vineyard 2009 Hermit’s Block Shiraz

Best 100 percent Hunter Valley Dry White Wine
Thomas Wines 2007 Cellar Reserve Braemore Semillon

Best Dry White Wine of the Show
Tyrrell’s Vineyards 2006 Vat 1 Semillon

Best Dry Red Wine of the Show
Thomas Wines 2009 Sweetwater Shiraz

Click on the video below for an interview with Iain Riggs