By Amy Looker
A Western Australian Chardonnay and a Tasmanian Pinot Noir won the top gongs at the Dan Murphy’s National Wine Show of Australia.
The 2009 Vasse Felix Heytesbury Chardonnay and 2009 Bay of Fires Pinot Noir won the trophies for best table wine of show and best dry red table wine respectively, making it the second year in a row that a Chardonnay has won the top trophy.
“Chardonnay was a particular stand out this year, showing a restrained use of oak, a sense of place and great purity of fruit,” said UK-based international judge Tim Wildman MW.
“Australia is producing great Chardonnays in a global context. If this is the future of Australian white wine, then the future looks bright.”
Judging took place over four days with a panel of 20 judges, chaired by Australia’s Tom Carson, tasting a total of 1556 entries to select the 25 trophy winners.
The Dan Murphy’s National Wine Show is widely recognised as the nation’s winemaking ‘Grand Final’ as wines in the premium classes are only entitled to enter if they have previously been awarded a medal at a capital city or approved regional show.
2010 Trophy List
The Australian Leadership Innovation Centre Trophy
Best Dry White Table Wine – Commercial Classes
Won by: Penfolds Wines 2009 Thomas Hyland Chardonnay
The Wine Society Trophy
Best Dry White Table Wine – Riesling, Premium Classes
Won By: Heggies Vineyard 2010 Riesling
The Royal National Capital Agricultural Society Trophy
Best Dry White Table Wine – Sauvignon Blanc, Premium Classes
Won By: Bulong Estate 2010 Sauvignon Blanc
The VINTEC TRANSTHERM Trophy
Best Dry White Table Wine – Semillon, Premium Classes
Won By: Pooles Rock 2009 Semillon
The Oakton Trophy
Best Dry White Table Wine – Chardonnay, Premium Classes
Won By: Vasse Felix 2009 Heytesbury Chardonnay
The Royal National Capital Agricultural Society Trophy
Best Medium of Sweet White Table Wine
Won By: Brown Brothers Milawa Vineyard 2008 Brown Brothers Patricia Riesling
The Kit Stevens Memorial Trophy (presented by Samuel Smith & Son)
Best Bottle Fermented Sparkling White Wine
Won By: Brown Brothers Milawa Vineyard 2005 Patricia Pinot Noir Chardonnay Brut
The Yellow Edge Pty Ltd Trophy
Best Dry Red Table Wine – Commercial Classes
Won By: Brands Laira 2009 Cabernet Merlot
The Riedel Trophy
Best Dry Red Table Wine – Pinot noir, Premium Classes
Won By: Bay of Fires 2009 Pinot Noir
The Fujitsu Australia Pty Ltd Trophy
Best Dry Red Table Wine – Shiraz, Premium Classes
Won By: Tyrell's Vineyards 2008 Canberra District Shiraz
The Canberra Times Trophy
Best Dry Red Table Wine – Cabernet Sauvignon, Premium Classes
Won By: Devil’s Lair 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon
The Cre8tive Trophy
Best Dry Red Table Wine – Premium Classes
Won By: Catching Thieves 2009 Cabernet Merlot
The Manidis Roberts Trophy
Best Dry Red Table Wine – Other Varieties, Premium Classes
Won By: Terra Felix 2009 E’vette’s Block Mourvedre
The Negociants Australia Trophy
Best Table Wine – Aged Classes
Won By: Peter Lehmann Wines 2004 Wigan Eden Valley Riesling
The Exhibition Park Corporation Trophy
Best Fortified Wine
Won By: Morris Wines NV Old Premium Rare Liqueur Tokay
The ActewAGL Trophy
The Single Vineyard Trophy
Won By: Oakridge Wines 2009 864 Van Der Meulen Vineyard Chardonnay
The Corti Brothers Trophy
The Semillon Trophy – 2008 and older vintages
Won By: Australian Vintage Limited 2005 Tempus Two Copper Zenith Semillon
The Minter Ellison Trophy
The Chardonnay Trophy – 2008 and older vintages
Won By: Penfolds Wines 2008 Reserve Bin 08A Chardonnay
The ACTEW Corporation Trophy
The Cabernet Sauvignon Trophy – 2008 and older vintages
Won By: Fuddling Cup 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon
The Australian Wine Archives Trophy
The Shiraz Trophy – 2008 and Older Vintages
Won By: Mount Langi Ghiran Vineyards 2006 Shiraz
The Dan Murphy’s Trophy
Best Dry White Table Wine
Won By: Vasse Felix 2009 Heytesbury Chardonnay
The TransACT Trophy
Best Dry Red Table Wine
Won By: Bay of Fires 2009 Pinot Noir
The Len Evans Memorial Trophy
Supported by Dan Murphy’s
Best Table Wine of the Show
Won By: Vasse Felix 2009 Heytesbury Chardonnay