MICK Gentleman has launched the 15th Canberra International Riesling Challenge, the largest single-variety wine show in the Southern Hemisphere.
“This year’s Challenge has attracted 494 entries from around the world and the winners will be announced on Friday 17 October” Minister Gentleman said.
Entries will be judged in 18 Classes and first tasted in regional groupings. Of the 376 Australian entries, 16 are from Canberra district wineries and 118 are international entries from wineries in New Zealand, the USA, Germany, France, Czech Republic, Austria, Canada and South Africa.
This year’s judging panel is led by John Belsham of New Zealand’s Foxes Island Wines, who has 35 years of wine industry experience, including having studied wine making in Bordeaux, France. After founding Rapaura Vintners, the first contract winemaking company in New Zealand, he turned his attention to producing premium, single vineyard wines, founding Foxes Island Wines in 1992.
An internationally respected wine judge and critic, Mr Belsham leads a panel of experienced Australian wine buyers and winemakers, as well as judges from Germany and France.
“The ACT Government has been a proud supporter of the Challenge since its inception in 2000. I would like to thank each of the winemakers who have entered this year’s competition for your pursuit of excellence and I wish you all the best for the judging. I hope the results serve to further develop your already exceptional winemaking skills,” Minister Gentleman said.
The entries can be sampled at the Trade and Consumer Tasting day at the Albert Hall on Saturday 18 October 11:00am to 3:00pm. Entry is $30 at the door.
[Photo of Ken Helm and Mick Gentleman by Andrew Finch]
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