29 May 2014

‘Entries open for the 2014 Spiegelau International Wine Competition’

Now in its fourth year, the Spiegelau International Wine Competition accepts entries from any wine-producing countries. Owned and run by New Zealand’s only independent, specialist company ‘Wine Competition Ltd’, the show offers a number of key points of difference.

The biggest of these is the company’s commitment to provide tangible assistance to the New Zealand wine industry by donating proceeds from the sale of unopened bottles not required during the judging process. At the conclusion of judging, any bottles that remain unopened are donated to the Cresswell Jackson New Zealand Wine Trust and then auctioned. The proceeds are given back to the industry through grants and scholarships, the first of which was awarded to Wendy Parr of Lincoln University, earlier this year.

Developments for the 2014 event include a new accolade designed to recognise distributors. Called the Portfolio Excellence Award, it will be awarded to the distribution company who receive the highest percentage of medals.

Guest international judges this year are Ralph Kyte-Powell, Sue Hodder and Mike Bennie. Ralph has judged at every Spiegelau International Wine Competition since its inception in 2011. Melbourne based, he writes for New Zealand’s Cuisine, Melbourne’s Age, where he has been writing his Uncorked column for eighteen years and James Halliday’s Wine Companion magazine.

Sue Hodder is one of Australia’s best-known winemakers and has just completed her 22nd vintage at Wynns Coonawarra Estate – one of Australia’s most iconic wine brands. Sue chaired the highly respected Royal Adelaide Wine Show for the five years and is the current Chief Judge. Sue is also President of the Coonawarra Vignerons Association.

Mike Bennie, based in Sydney is a freelance wine and drinks writer and journalist, wine judge and presenter. Mike is the Editor-At-Large and contributor to WineFront.com.au and a feature writer for Australian Gourmet Traveller Wine.

The 2014 Spiegelau International Wine Competition is being judged 15 – 17 July and Chief Judge is again, Sydney-based Mike DeGaris. DeGaris will be joined by some of New Zealand’s leading wine judges including Olly Masters, Jeff Clarke and Warren Gibson.

For further information please contact Competition Director, Belinda Jackson on 027 444 8 666