Wine show season is in full swing with results announced from the recent inaugural Blackwood Valley WA Boutique Winemakers Show.
Held in Bridgetown, the event was designed to showcase producers with a crush of less than 100 tonnes.
And talent was easy to come by during the event. The region, after all, now boasts more than 50 vineyards over 450 hectares of vines.
Growing in stature over years, particularly on the back of some very impressive red fruit, cabernet and shiraz, Blackwood is now becoming known for its whites as well.
The awards featured 17 classes, 35 exhibitors and 137 wines.
Led by chief judge Rob Bowen of Houghton’s, the judging panel awarded 50 medals in total – three gold, 11 silver and 36 bronze.
Hotham Ridge Winery was named the most successful exhibitor of the show.
The best WA white wine was Tassel Park’s 2005 Sauvignon Blanc, and the best WA red wine was judged to be the 2003 shiraz, also from Hotham Ridge.
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But the culmination of the wine award season is definitely the Margaret River Wine Show, to be held at the Margaret River Centre for Wine Excellence from Wednesday November 30 until Friday December 2.
Aside from the unique lauded characteristics of the region’s wine, the awards event helps to generate tourism revenue connected with the Margaret River Wine Festival.
This year’s major sponsor is the Commonwealth Bank, while internationally renowned wine-maker Brian Croser, executive chairman of Petaluma, will chair the panel.
This year’s awards have been restructured to individualise the two varieties regarded as uniquely ‘Margaret River’.
As a result, the best cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay will be awarded separately to acknowledge the contribution the region has made to the reputation of these two wine styles.
These two new awards help to make up 27 classes at the 2005 show.
