After a delay of six months due to COVID, the long-awaited trophies in the 2021 New Zealand International Wine Show were announced, with a Chardonnay from Hawke’s Bay’s Clearview Estate taking the top prize for Champion Wine of the Show.
The competition received 1780 entries and a team of 20 senior judges awarded 265 Gold or Double Gold medals, along with 24 trophies.
The NZIWS is the largest wine competition in New Zealand and the 2021 event received entries from Australia, USA, France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Argentina, Chile, Germany, and even one from Georgia.
Full results at nziws.co.nz/awards/2021
The Winners
Champion Wine of the Show
Clearview Estate Reserve Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2020
Wine Maker of the Show
Matt Connell (Wine maker for Matt Connell Vineyard, Eight Ranges, Tiki, Three Miners And McArthur Ridge)
Champion Wine Company of the Year
Lion
Champion Pinot Gris
Askerne Pinot Gris 2021
Champion Sauvignon Blanc
Thornbury Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2021
Champion Riesling
Wairau River Estate Summer Riesling 2021
Champion Gewürztraminer
Johanneshof Cellars Marlborough Gewürztraminer 2021
Champion Chardonnay
Clearview Reserve Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2020
Champion Viognier
Dancing Petrel Reserve Viognier 2020
Champion Other White Wine Varieties
d’Arenberg The Hermit Crab 2020, McLaren Vale
Champion NZ Sparkling Wine
Lindauer Vintage Series Brut Cuvee 2017
Champion Champagne & Methode Traditionelle Champagne
Cristian Senez Cuvee Renoir NV
Champion Sweet Wine
Whitehaven Marlborough Noble Riesling 2021
Champion Commercial White Wine
Delegat Crownthorpe Terraces Chardonnay 2020
Champion Rosé
McArthur Ridge Lilico Rosé 2021
Champion Pinot Noir
McArthur Ridge Southern Tor Pinot Noir 2020
Champion Merlot & Predominant Blends
Trinity Hill Hawkes Bay Merlot 2020
Champion Cabernet Sauvignon
Grant Burge Barossa Ink Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Champion Syrah and Predominant Blends
Mudbrick Vineyard Reserve Syrah 2020
Champion Shiraz & Predominant Blends
Grant Burge Barossa Ink Shiraz 2020
Champion International Red Wine Varieties
Tenuta Ulisse Amaranta Montepulciano D’Abruzzo DOP 2019
Champion NZ Bordeaux Red Wine
Beach House Cabernet Malbec 2020
Champion Commercial Red Wine
Grant Burge Barossa Ink Shiraz 2020
Champion Fortified Wine
Gonzalez Byass Nectar Pedro Ximenez