CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF HUNTER VALLEY WINEMAKING

2014 is being claimed as the “vintage of the century” in the Hunter Valley and backing onto a standout 2013 vintage, there was cause for celebration at today’s Clear Image Hunter Valley Wine Show.

Celebrating the 40th vintage of one of the countries oldest regional wine shows proved to be another good reason for the Hunter Valley to kick up its heels at the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley this afternoon.

With almost 400 locals, winemakers and out-of-town guests in attendance, some 20 trophies were awarded but the highlights were arguably the Best Dry White Wine of the Show, which was awarded to Tyrrell’s 2006 Vat 1 Semillon and the trophy for the Best Dry Red Wine of the Show going to Pepper Tree Wines 2011 Tallawanta Grand Reserve Shiraz.

Brokenwood was named the Most Successful Exhibitor of Young Wines, while the third wine to be named “Iain Riggs Wine of Provenance” (an award introduced in 2012) was awarded to Thomas Wines Cellar Reserve Braemore Semillon for the 2004, 2006 and 2014 vintages.

Two new trophies were introduced in this 40th anniversary year. The first being the Innovation Trophy for which the De Iuliis 2013 ShIraz Touriga Nacional stood out amongst the 30 wines entered which were considered to be pushing the boundaries of traditional Hunter Valley winemaking.

The second newly inducted trophy is the Silver Bullet, which was presented by international wine show judge Fongyee Walker for a wine which she believes is of truly an international standard. This new trophy went to Draytons for its 1978 Tawny Port.

A team of respected wine show judges led by Jim Chatto in his third year as Chair of Judges immersed themselves in 738 Hunter Valley wines from 73 producers this week in Singleton. Judges included International guest judge Fongyee Walker from Beijing, China, visiting judges Mike Bennie and Russell Cody, Panel Chairs Tom Carson, Corinna Wright and Nick Stock together with Hunter Judges Chris Tyrrell, Scott Comyns and Andrew Thomas.

“This year 54 Gold, 131 Silver and 249 Bronze medals were awarded, up on 2013 with 20 Trophies being shared between just 9 companies. The range of wines, varietals and styles awarded today truly represents all the great things that we as a region are collectively doing. This show provides a real benchmark for the region. Congratulations to all winners,” Mike De Iuliis, Vice President of Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association says.

Jim Chatto, Chair of Judges said of his third year as Chair of Judges, “The judges were very impressed by the sheer quality and unique personality of our truly regional wines. With two thirds of our judging panel being visitors, it wasn’t just the local judges impressed with the quality. It seemed that all the judges were equally enamoured with what we are doing here in the Hunter Valley. It’s an exciting era in our long and proud history.”

“Personally I thought the strength of the Shiraz classes were a standout for me. I believe the Hunter is making our best reds since the 1960’s. The quality of the 2011 and 2013 vintages in particular adds greatly to this argument.” added Chatto.

The Clear Image Hunter Valley Wine Show this year celebrated its 40th year and is widely regarded as the country’s leading regional show. It has a strict regional focus and is exclusively for wines made with grapes grown in the Hunter Valley.

A special VIP trade and media tasting hosted by 2014 Hunter Valley Wine Show judges and winemakers featuring the award-winning wines will be held in Melbourne on 16 September from 10am-12pm at Bellota and in Sydney on 17 September at Fix St James from 4-6pm. In Melbourne there will be a special Shiraz and Semillon Masterclass held. Bookings essential.

 

Full list of trophy winners:

 

Marshall Flannery Trophy

Current Vintage – Semillon

Briar Ridge Vineyard 2014 Dairy Hill Single Vineyard Semillon

 

Current Vintage and One Year Old – Chardonnay

George Wyndham Memorial Trophy

Tyrrell’s Vineyard 2013 Belford Chardonnay

 

Jay Tulloch Trophy

Best Verdelho

No Trophy Awarded

 

Current Vintage – Dry White Wine

– Other White Varietals & Blends

No Trophy Awarded

 

Henry John Lindeman Memorial Trophy

Best Two Year Old and Older Chardonnay

Tyrrell’s Vineyards 2012 Belford Chardonnay

 

Alexander Munro Memorial Trophy

Best One Year Old Shiraz

Brokenwood Wines 2013 Mistress Shiraz

 

Singleton Council Tropy

Most Successful Exhibitor of Young Wines

– Current Vintage Dry White Wines

& One-Year-Old Dry Red Wines

Brokenwood Wines

 

Ed Joualet Memorial Trophy

One-Year-Old Dry Semillon

Two Rivers Wines 2013 Stones Throw Semillon

 

Elliott Family Trophy

Two-Year-Old Dry Shiraz

No Trophy Awarded

 

Best Other Red Wine

Alternative Red Varietals & Blends – Any Vintage

De Iuliis Wines 2013 Shiraz Touriga Nacional

 

James Busby Memorial Trophy

Best Mature 3 Year Old and Older Shiraz

Pepper Tree Wines 2011 Tallawanta Grand Reserve Shiraz

 

McGuigan Family Trophy

Best Mature 2 Year Old and Older Semillon

Tyrrell’s Vineyards 2006 Vat 1 Semillon

 

Doug Galbraith Memorial Trophy

Best Sweet White Wine

No Trophy Awarded

 

Trevor Drayton Memorial Trophy

Best Fortified Wine

Drayton’s Family Wines Heritage Vines Verdelho NV

 

John Lewis Newcastle Herald Trophy

Best Museum Red

De Iuliis Wines 2006 Show Reserve Shiraz

 

Graham Gregory Memorial Trophy

Best Museum White Wine

Tyrrell’s Vineyards 2005 HVD Semillon

 

Hector Tulloch Memorial Trophy

Best Shiraz

Pepper Tree Wines 2011 Tallawanta Grand Reserve Shiraz

 

Maurice O’Shea Memorial Trophy

Best Semillon

Tyrrell’s Vineyards 2006 Vat 1 Semillon

 

Premium Vintage Sparkling Wine

No Trophy Awarded

 

Murray Tyrrell Chardonnay Trophy

Best Chardonnay - Any Vintage

Tyrrell’s Vineyards 2012 Belford Chardonnay

 

Draytons Family Trophy

Best Named Vineyard – Red Wine

Sponsored by Draytons Wines & Robyn Drayton Wines

Pepper Tree Wines 2011 Tallawanta Grand Reserve Shiraz

 

Tyrrell’s Family Trophy

Best Named Vineyard  – White Wine

McLeish Estate 2007 Semillon

 

Len Evans Trophy

Best Named Vineyard Wine

McLeish Estate 2007 Semillon

 

Petrie-Drinan Trophy

Best White Wine of the Show

Sponsored by Clear Image

Tyrrell’s Vineyards 2006 Vat 1 Semillon

 

Doug Seabrook Memorial Trophy

Best Red Wine of the Show

Sponsored by Clear Image

Puncheon Supplied by Mercurey Australia

Pepper Tree Wines 2011 Tallawanta Grand Reserve Shiraz

Iain Riggs Wines of Provenance

Thomas Wines Cellar Reserve Braemore Semillon

2004, 2006, 2014 

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