The New World Wine Awards were judged in Wellington recently by an independent panel of 13 expert wine judges, using the same internationally recognised system as other leading wine awards. To be eligible to enter, wines must retail for $25 or less and there must be at least 5,000 bottles available for sale. The results will be announced in October.
The judges award Gold, Silver and Bronze medals, with the best wines in each category re-tasted to determine the Champion wine of each varietal, plus the overall Champion Red and Champion White. A record number of 1,325 wines from 162 wineries were entered in the awards this year and over 60% of the wines entered are from New Zealand winemakers.
FMCG Business Head of Content, Tamara Rubanowski, caught up with Chair of the judging panel, Jim Harré, in Wellington. He says: “The New World Wine Awards are among the most recognised wine shows in New Zealand and highly regarded by the judges.” He adds: “The 2016 vintage was spectacular. This year, we are seeing more Pinot Noir entered and we are noticing more layers of flavour and complexity.”
Jim’s passion for wine runs in the family – his grandfather, father and brother were all winemakers, and his other brother is involved in the wine and food industry in France. Jim has been chair of judges for the New World Wine Awards since 2008, and has extensive experience judging in New Zealand as well as in Australia, China, Japan, UK and USA.
The winning wines will be distinguished in New World stores by medal stickers (Gold, Silver, Bronze) and the Top 50 Gold medal selection will be showcased online and in the New World Wine Awards booklet.
