Whites ‘exciting’, reds ‘wrong’

Press, 18 February 1983, Page 9

Whites ‘exciting’, reds ‘wrong’

PA Auckland An Australian judge at Auckland’s Easter Show wine competition said he considered the whites quite outstanding and felt they were under-estimated in New Zealand. Mr lan Hickinbotham. chairman of the judging panel, said he was excited with some of the newer whites such as pinot gris and grey riesling. He particularly liked the results with grey riesling. Chardonnays were very good and so were gewurztraminers. He said he was not impressed with the reds. “There is something wrong." he said. "Whether through over-cropping, unsuitable clones for the clim-

ate. excessive use of sulphur dioxide, or whatever.

“The cabernets have good bouquet, but there is not enough tannin, not enough fruit."

In three days of judging, two panels in the competition awarded 18 gold medals. There was a good record entrv of 541 wines.

White wines won the largest number of gold awards, with Chardonnay the most successful variety. Cabernet sauvignon was the leading grape among the reds.

Gold medal winners in the fortified wine classes included Lincoln and Soljan, two companies that consistently have been winning silver awards for some vears.