Wins and losses at the wine exhibition

Press, 9 November 1978, Page 14

Wins and losses at the wine exhibition

ON THE GRAPEVINE

Maurice Hunter

i According to one winemaker, judging at the 1978 New Zealand Wine Exhibition, which was held at the Chateau Tongariro and finished last Sat” urday, was “pretty tough.” But although, as in any form of contest, there were many disappointments, that will do more good than harm. The chief judge was a Bristol; wine merchant, Mr John Avery, M. A. (Oxon), Master of Wine and Chevalier de Tastevin, among other titles, assisted by New Zealand’s senior judge, John Buck — also I a Chevalier de Tastevin — | lan Clark. Michael Morris I and Joe Babich, all very i experienced men. So those successful wiI nemakers who carried off | five gold and 77 silver i awards have the satisfacI tion of knowing that the | judging was according to 1 world standards. And ' those who were unsuci cessful know that they ; will have to try harder. The gold awards were i won by Villa Maria’s Prij vate Bin Sauterne ’77, ColI lard’s Rhine Riesling ’7B, Matawhero Gewurz Traminer ’7B, Villa Maria Gewurz Traminer ’7B and Montana Pale Dry Private Bin Sherry, only the last named of which is available retail. Villa Maria Sauterne may be bought only at the winery at $7 per bottle. This may anpear to be a high price but it is a ; magnificent wine and. in j my humble opinion, well worth the money. Villa Maria Gewurz I Traminer is experimental I but some may be released ! next year. Matawhero Ge* j w-urz Traiminer is avail- ■ able only at the winery I and on mail order and

Collard's Rhine Riesling is not likely to be seen in the South Island. But what you. as a wine drinker, want to know is what award winning wines you can buy. Space does not permit the printing of the full list but here is your choice: Cooks Te Kauwhata Riesling ’77 and ’7B, Villa Maria Riesling ’7B, Corbans Sylvaner Riesling ’77, M o n t a n a Marlborough Riesling ’7B, Ormond Wohnsiedler Riesling ’77, Cooks Chasselas ’ ’77, Cooks Pinot Gris ’77 and ’7B, Montana Benmorven

By

Riesling '7B, Montana Blenheimer, Babich PinoUge Cabernet ’76. Cooks Cabernet Sauvignon ’76, Montana Cabernet Sauvignon ’75 and ’76, Montana Pinotage ’76, Nobilo Cabernet Sauvignon ’76, Penfolds Cabernet Sauvignon ’76, Penfolds Flor Fino Sherry, Crtlards Vintage Port. Montana Private Bin Tawny Port and Montana Muscatel. There will also soon be limited quantities of Corbans Chenin Blanc, Collards Private Bin Dry White. Collards Private Bin Claret and Weingut Gewurz Traminer. One encouraging feature was the number of awards won by experimental wines which, although cold comfort for us at present, is an indication of what we may expect reasonably soon. Corbans

Chenin Blanc, for instance, has been joined with one from Babich and these crisp, delicate wines with their hint of spiciness are really quite delightful.

In addition to the two gold award gewurz traminers, no fewer than five other labels were awarded silvers. With the degree of interest shown by win nemakers in this grape it is apparent that this wine, with its spicy fruitiness, will provide a welcome alternative to the many rieslings currently on the market. It is also pleasing to I note that the Nelson pro- I duced Weingut Gewurz ' Traminer is among them. |

Matawhero Wines are I slightly behind Corbans with a Traminer Riesling, an interesting blend which I tasted recently and found to be most I palatable. Corbans expect ‘ to market their version commercially next vear.

One surprise for me was that the Villa MariaVidals combination did not score better. They have consistently produced good quality commerical wines and I felt sure that Vidals Mt. Erin Riesling would have made it to a silver.

But that’s the way it goes. You win some and you lose some. Although Montana

scooped the pool with one gold and 17 silvers, al! very well deserved, undoubtedly the exhibition was a triumph for the Collard family.

Their one gold and 10 silvers was second only to Montana, a remarkable achievement for a small winery and a genuine tribute to the dedication shown by the father, Lionel, and his two sons, Bruce and Geoffrey, and to their meticulous housekeeping. All we want now is to see more of the same down here.