White trumps reds in Fed Square Wine Awards 2011
Media release
All Saints Estate, Rutherglen, Victoria
In a venerable showcase of whites, reds and fortified wines, the jewel of this year’s liquid offerings is none other than the 2010 Heathcote Riesling from Shelmerdine Vineyards. It not only won Wine of the Year, but also scooped Best White Wine, and Best White Aromatic – Wooded.
Among Victoria’s most prominent grape growers, the Shelmerdine family puts their success down to their embrace of the Australian terroir –the rocks, the soils, and the rhythm of the seasons – which impart their own identity into each of their very special wines.
Coming in as Best Red Wine ahead of some already outstanding reds was the 2008 Tempranillo from Box Stallion in the Mornington Peninsula, which showed just what innovative winemaking can achieve. By constraining yields to ensure premium fruit, the character of this wine reflects intense flavour and optimum ripeness.
The most awarded winemaker in Australia, David Morris of Morris Wines vineyard and winery near Rutherglen, continued tradition by taking out Best Fortified Wine this year with his Old Premium Tawny. Long renowned for its production of big reds and luscious fortified wines, it was no surprise that Best Muscat and Best Tawny also went to Morris Wines.
With so many great wines on show, it would have been an almost impossible task to pick one winner for the Judges’ Award, but the Knight family’s Granite Hills Shiraz from the Macedon Ranges made a big impression. It is after all, one of Victoria’s most acclaimed vineyards with some 400 awards won at Australian and international wine shows and 20 trophies in the last four years. Not surprisingly then, Granite Hills also won Best Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet blends for a different wine.
Other class winners were Ros Ritchie Wines 2010 Pinot Gris, SOUMAH of the Valley 2010 Savarro for Best White Aromatic – Unwooded, Shelmerdine Vineyards 2008 Lusatia Park Chardonnay, Mount Langi Ghiran 2006 Cliff Edge Shiraz, Hanging Rock Winery 2004 Members Heathcote Reserve Sparkling Red, All Saints Estate NV Tokay.
But it is the Environmental Sustainability Award that had everyone wondering because so many vineyards now have become much more environmentally aware. That in itself is exciting news, but Mount Avoca has shown true leadership in organic practices by achieving sustainability across all areas from the vineyard and winery through to packaging decisions. The inaugural sustainability award has a worthy first winner in Mount Avoca and its exemplary success will hopefully lead to strong contenders for the award next year.
The annual Fed Square Wine Awards bring wine lovers, winemakers, and of course the winning wines from each season together over two heady days, to sample, compare and discuss the unique selections that contribute to the diversity and excellence of Victorian wines.
The Wine Awards schedule for 2011/2012 will begin this year in October:
5 and 6 October: Geelong, Henty, West Victoria (including Ballarat), Grampians (including Great Western) and Pyrenees
7 and 8 December: New Release wines from across Victoria
1 and 2 February: Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula and Gippsland
4 and 5 April: Upper Goulburn, Strathbogie, King Valley, Alpine Valley, Beechworth, Rutherglen and Glenrowan
6 and 7 June: Sunbury, Macedon Ranges, Bendigo, Heathcote, Goulburn Valley (including Nagambie Lakes), Swan Hill and Murray Darling
4 and 5 August: Fed Square Wine Awards
Mark these dates in your diary. Fed Square Wine Awards are an absolute must if you want to sample and indulge in the cutting edge of Victorian wines. Now is the time to stock your cellar and show your wine aficionado friends that you are up there with the best of them in the wine stakes.
Winners in each category
Best White Wine
Shelmerdine Vineyards 2010 Heathcote Riesling
Best Red Wine
Box Hill 2008 Tempranillo
Best Fortified Wine
Morris Wines Old Premium Tawny
Judges’ Award
Granite Hills 2005 Granite Hills Shiraz
Sustainability Award
Mount Avoca
Wine of the Year 2011
Shelmerdine Vineyards 2010 Heathcote Riesling
Harvey Publicity
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