By James Atkinson
The Champagne Bureau Australia this week announced two winners in the Vin de Champagne Award at the Pavilion in Sydney.
Winners were selected in the following categories:-
Domaine Chandon winemaker Dan Buckle won the professional category, while the amateur category was won by Matthew Stutsel of KPMG
Over 2,000 glasses of Champagne were served to guests including high profile members of the food and wine industries, Champagne aficionados and VIPs.
Presented every two years by the Champagne Bureau Australia, past winners of the awards include some of the country's most knowledgeable wine industry personnel, winemakers, journalists, restaurateurs, commentators and educators. [continues below]
Winners Matthew Stutsel and Dan Buckle
Winners receive a two-week educational tour to the Champagne district in France, where they are awarded their medal from Le Comité Champagne and enjoy the legendary Champenois hospitality.
Chef Justin North prepared a sumptuous six course dinner matched to fifteen Champagnes from the houses of Ayala, Bollinger, Charles Heidsieck, Delamotte, G.H. Mumm, Lanson, Laurent–Perrier, Louis Roederer, Moët et Chandon, Nicolas Feuillatte, Pol Roger, Ruinart, Taittinger, Thienot and Veuve Clicquot.
"The award has run for over thirty years and has produced some of the finest Champagne palates in the world. Past winners actively promote Champagne across all aspects of life ensuring that Australia remains in the top ten markets for importing Champagne," said Elisabeth Drysdale, director of the Champagne Bureau.