Wa Winery Wins Australia's Most Prestigious Wine Award

Western Australian Wine Rises from Zero to Hero With Royal Wine Show Trophy Wins

Media release

Western Australian wines have dominated the competition at this week's Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV) Royal Melbourne Wine Show, with an unknown winery from the state taking home the most prestigious wine trophy in the country, proving once again that despite tough conditions for winemakers in Australia that the little guys don't always finish last.

The 2009 Joseph River Estate Cabernet Sauvignon from Harvey River Bridge Estate, known for their fruit juices rather than their wines, was tonight launched onto the world wine stage winning The Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy for 2010. This is the most eagerly sought wine accolade in Australia, awarded annually to the winemaker of the best one-year-old dry red wine in the Royal Melbourne Wine Show. The Trophy is a memorial to the late Jimmy Watson the proprietor of the Wine Bar in Lygon Street, Carlton, Victoria that still bears his name.

In addition to The Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy, four trophies of the show's 16 were awarded to Western Australian wine at the Trophy Presentation Dinner in Melbourne.

The other WA winners are: The Dan Murphy's Trophy for Best Rhone Style or Shiraz for the 2006 Juniper Estate Shiraz; The Rural Finance Trophy for the Best Claret Style or Cabernet Sauvignon to the 2006 Houghton Jack Mann Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec and The Kubota Trophy for the Best Sauvignon Blanc Or Semillon Sauvignon Blanc Blend for 2010 Vasse Felix Sauvignon Blanc Semillon.

Over the course of the four day judging more than 3200 wines were tasted by the 27-strong judging panel which awarded 16 trophies.

International Judge Tim Atkin, a London-based wine writer with 25 years experience writing for publications including The Times and Decanter, said the Royal Melbourne Wine Show was the most exciting wine show in Australia, and possibly even the Southern Hemisphere.

"The top wines have been absolutely outstanding, Australian wines have never been as exciting as they are now," he said.

Chairman of Judges, Steve Webber from De Bortoli Wines, said that the array of wines on show had been exceptional, with many smaller wineries entering the competition again this year to stake their claim on some of the Australian wine industry's most prestigious accolades.

"We saw some impressive chardonnay, riesling and shiraz from cooler climates, as well as balanced and well-made regional styles in a number of varietals. The judging panel were impressed by a continuing lift in the quality of wines from the larger producers" he said.

RASV Chief Executive, Mark O'Sullivan, said 'The Royal Melbourne Wine Show provides a benchmark of excellence for Australian wine producers, large and small, attracting the best sparkling, red, white and fortified wines in the domestic market. Its growing appeal and success is thanks to the support, commitment and participation of the wine industry.'

Other feature trophies awarded included The Francois De Castella Trophy for the Best Young White, which was awarded to the 2009 Penfolds Reserve Bin A Chardonnay. The 2008 vintage of this wine won this trophy in its augural presentation last year, ensuring this wine deserves to own the title of the 'white Jimmy Watson'. The 2009 Penfolds Reserve Bin A Chardonnay also took out the Dan Murphy's Trophy for the Best Chardonnay. These wins are fresh off the back of four trophy wins at last month's Royal Adelaide Wine Show.

Victoria's Mornington Peninsula was also a winner, its wineries producing two of the feature trophy winners: The Douglas Seabrook Single Vineyard Trophy for the Highest Scoring Exhibit went to Paringa Estate's 2008 The Paringa Single Vineyard Pinot Noir and The Premier's Gold Trophy for the Best Victorian Red Wine in Show was won by 2009 Foxeys Hangout Shiraz.

The Royal Melbourne Wine Show has been an annual fixture since 1884 when it was established to support and promote excellence in Australian winemaking. It featured 13 entries in its first year, and has since grown to accommodate over 4,600 entries annually.

It now represents the pre-eminent celebration of the achievements of Australian wines in an export industry worth an estimated $3 billion per year. At a time when the Australian wine industry is faced with quite significant challenges both in domestic and export markets, the positive publicity the show generates is especially valuable.

For a full list of trophy winners see the following page. Interviews with the winners, bottle shots and photographs from the judging process are available.

ENDS
PHOTO/STORY OPPORTUNITY - TOMORROW

VISION:
Hundreds of Australia's most experienced winemakers will converge on the RASV to taste and discuss the entries from this year's Royal Melbourne Wine Show

WHO:
The winner of the Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy for 2010
Available trophy winners
Chairman of Judges, Steve Webber from De Bortoli Wines Mark O'Sullivan, Chief Executive Officer of the RASV

WHERE:
The Royal Melbourne Wine Show
The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria
Melbourne Showgrounds
Enter via Gate 5, Langs Road
Ascot Vale VIC 3032

WHEN:
TOMORROW, Friday 22 October, talent available for
interview between 10.30 and11.30 AM

For more information contact:
Nicola McConnell, Dig Marketing Group,
[email protected]
P: (03) 8606 3700,
0402 916 382

Nola James, Dig Marketing Group,
[email protected]
P: (03) 8606 3700,
0402 421 033

SOURCE: RMWS