Standards were high at the 10th anniversary New England Wine Show held at the historic Glen Innes showgrounds October 15-17 last week. Of the more than 150 entries attracted from the New England and surrounding regions, 44 per cent of entries won an award this year which judges said was well above average for wine shows in general.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The major awards again reflected a blend of New England and Granite Belt wines, with the New England Wine Show becoming entrenched as the premier judged wine show for the New England/ North West region. It is an invitational regional show, inviting wines from adjoining regions for judging along with local New England wines, and is also now one of only 21 “feeder” shows for the annual National Wine Show.
The awards ceremony was accompanied by a degustation dinner prepared by Peter Malcolm from Rafters in Guyra, complemented by last year’s trophy-winning wines.
The judging panel, chaired this year by the renowned Huon Hooke, also included Stephen Doyle (owner and winemaker of Bloodwood Wines, Orange), Mike DeGaris (former chief winemaker and general manager of Rothbury Estate), and Geoff Cowey from the Australian Wine Industry Research Institute.
Once again the judges commented on the interesting non-traditional wine varieties grown in the New England, of its interesting red and white blends, and that the quality of New England wines is already excellent and getting better each year.
“It is great being able to taste interesting wines here that I cannot get anywhere else,” Mr Hooke said, and he urged the region to continue with such a great wine show.
He said he realised that the New England (becoming known for its luscious whites and lighter reds) complements nicely the wines coming out of the Granite Belt (known for its full bodied reds and some whites).
Mr de Garis called the New England Wine Show “an absolute gem” and described it as “one of the great shows” he attends each year.
Mr Doyle described the show as an enigmatic show that’s improving all the time and a credit to all involved. He urged the committee to keep the show local and personal.
Gold award winners at the show are automatically eligible for annual National Wine Show held in Canberra.