8 June 2011

New Zealand Winegrowers has announced today that Auckland, the country’s largest wine consumption market, will play host to the 2011 Air New Zealand Wine Awards dinner in November. The Awards dinner, which will see New Zealand’s top wine makers and industry figures gather together in celebration of top quality wine production, will be held at The Langham Hotel on Saturday 12 November.

Judging will also take place in Auckland, at Mount Smart Stadium from 25-27 October 2011.

Attracting entries from wineries from New Zealand’s ten key winegrowing regions, the Air New Zealand Wine Awards is New Zealand’s most prestigious wine awards competition. The competition’s top prize, the Air New Zealand Champion Wine of Show Trophy, is hotly contested. Eighteen additional trophies are also up for grabs, including the O-I Champion Sustainable Wine Trophy

The wines are judged on three factors: colour and clarity, aroma and bouquet, and taste and general impression. Based on these factors, a panel of local and international judges award elite gold, gold, silver and bronze medals. Sustainably produced wines are awarded pure elite gold, pure gold, pure silver and pure bronze medals.

“It’s a rigorous judging process that is designed to ensure we deliver the top quality wines that the Air New Zealand Wine Awards are renowned for,” explains Chris Yorke, Global Marketing Director for New Zealand Winegrowers.

“When consumers select a wine with an Air New Zealand Wine Awards medal sticker, they know they are purchasing one of New Zealand’s best.”

Entry details will be sent to New Zealand wineries in July, with entries closing on 2 September.

ENDS

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