The results of the International Aromatic Wine Competition 2014 have just been revealed and Waimea is delighted to announce Gold medals were awarded for Waimea Albariño 2014 and Waimea Sauvignon Gris 2014.
Silver and Bronze medals were also awarded to Waimea Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Waimea Pinot Gris 2014, Waimea Viognier 2014, Waimea Gewurztraminer 2013 & 2014, Waimea Grüner Veltliner 2014, Spinyback Sauvignon Blanc 2013 & 2014, Spinyback Riesling 2013 and Spinyback Pinot Gris 2013.
Raymond Chan, one of the country's best-known wine judges and journalists had this to say recently about the Waimea Sauvignon Gris, "Dry to taste and full-bodied, this is a fulsome, up-front Sauvignon Gris with grassy and tropical fruit flavours and underlying power. Serve with salads and vegetables, and herb-marinated white meat dishes over the next 2-3 years.”
He went on to describe the Waimea Albariño thus, "Dry to taste and medium-bodied, intense and deep flavours of florals, white stonefruits and citrus zest. A very fine-textured, dry line carries the flavours to a moderately sustained, soft finish. This is a soft-textured, dry Albariño with intense white floral flavours and refreshing acidity. Serve with seafood, poultry and Asian fare over the next 3+ years.”
Raymond also awarded Five Stars and 18.5/20 to Waimea’s 2014 Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurztraminer and Classic Riesling before going on to talk about Waimea generally, "Since their beginnings in 1993, the Bolitho family of Waimea Estates have established themselves as one of the significant and serious winegrowers in the Nelson region. They’ve become the stalwarts of the Waimea Plains and wine competition success is no stranger to the ‘Waimea’ and ‘Spinyback’ labels with the core varieties, showing the excellent fruit that Ben Bolitho provides from the 140 ha of vineyards, and the skills of winemaker Trudy Sheild. Interestingly enough, the aromatic varieties of Riesling, Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer shine, and many consider Waimea Estates an aromatics specialist, although Viognier and Chardonnay are top award winners too. Recently, Waimea Estates has begun to make its mark on the wine scene with releases of emerging varieties, such as Grüner Veltliner and Sauvignon Gris. You could say that Waimea Estates is the consummate all-rounder!”
