PRESS RELEASE
30th September 2008
New Zealand International Wine Show 2008
Church Road Reserve Chardonnay tops New Zealand's largest wine competition
The Champion Wine of the Show at the 2008 New Zealand International Wine Show is the Church Road Reserve Hawkes Bay
Chardonnay 2006
From a record 2273 entries, the 18 Trophy winners were announced at a gala Awards Dinner on Saturday night.
The 2006 Church Road Reserve Chardonnay emulates the success of the 2005 vintage wine, which was also crowned Champion
Chardonnay in last year's competition.
The 2008 George Fistonich Medal, awarded to a Legend of New Zealand Wine, was presented to well known
Martinborough-based winemaker, Larry McKenna.
2008 Trophy Winners
Champion Wine of the Show
Church Road Reserve Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2006
Wine Company of the Show
Vintage Wines & Spirits.
Champion Chardonnay
Church Road Reserve Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2006
Champion Sauvignon Blanc
Mud House Swan Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Champion Viognier
Morton Estate Private Reserve Hawkes Bay Viognier 2007
Champion Riesling
Mud House Waipara Riesling 2008
Champion Gewurztraminer
Kemblefield 'The Distinction' Hawkes Bay Gewurztraminer 2007
Champion Pinot Gris
Blackenbrook Nelson Reserve Pinot Gris 2008
Champion Sweet Wine
Lone Goat Botrytis Selection 2007
Champion Sparkling Wine
Pol Roger Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill Champagne 1998
Champion Other White Varieies
Peter Lehmann "Margaret" Semillon 2003
Champion Cabernet Sauvignon Predominant
Yalumba The Signature 2004
Champion Merlot Predominant
Clearview Estate Hawkes Bay Enigma 2006
Champion Shiraz
Thorn-Clarke William Randell Barossa Shiraz 2005
Champion International Wine
Sessantanni Old Vines Primitivo di Manduria 2005
Champion Pinot Noir
Martinborough Vineyard Te Tera Pinot Noir 2007
Champion Fortified Wine
Lauriston Show Muscat
Champion Commercial White Wine
Saints Gisborne Chardonnay 2007
Champion Commercial Red Wine
Thorn-Clarke Sandpiper Barossa Shiraz 2007
166 gold medals, 350 silver and 927 bronze medals were also awarded. There is excitement in every category and with so
many of the top wines being recent releases, wine lovers should be able to source these wines for many months.
All medal results plus descriptions of the gold medal wines can be found on the New Zealand International Wine Show
website www.nziws.co.nz. Medal results also appear on www.wineshow.co.nz
ENDS