It is that time of year when New World once again announces their Top 50 wines in the New World Wine Awards.

This task is not taken lightly, as an independent panel of 13 international judges taste 1,099 wines from 157 wineries.

The wines all have to retail for below $25 a bottle and the wineries must have at least 6,000 bottles available for sale.
This year the judging got off to a shaky start. 18 pallets of wine and glasses had been delivered to the Westpac Stadium in Wellington when the July 21 earthquake hit. Luckily no damage was sustained and the event was successfully rescheduled.

Judging alongside the professionals were five Associate Judges, all Liquor Managers selected from New World stores, who undertook special training for the event. These Liquor Managers of course find the judging invaluable in building their own wine knowledge which then helps them select wines for their particular New World and also to answer your questions about wine.

607 wines were awarded medals, illustrating the increasing quality of wines being entered into the show.
53 Gold, 122 Silver and 432 Bronze medals were awarded. In response to customer demand, this year the New World Wine Awards was the first wine show to introduce a class for wines marketed as lower or reduced alcohol.Each wine is judged solely on its merits. Using a double blind identification system, a panel of three judges individually assess and score each wine using the same 20-point system used in wine competitions worldwide. The panel then convene to discuss their findings and re-taste the top Gold and Silver wines. This means that a Gold medal wine in the New World Wine Awards is of the same quality as any other Gold medal wine.In the final stages of judging, the best wines in each category are re-tasted by the entire judging team to determine the Champion Red, Champion White and the Champion Bubbles. Look out for the ‘Champion’ stickers to taste “the best of the best”.The New World Wine Awards is the premier consumer-focused wine competition in New Zealand because affordability and availability of the wines are key criteria for entry.For consumers, the New World Wine Awards helps to take the guesswork out of choosing the best New Zealand and international wines for under $25 a bottle.

The Top 50 wines are showcased in 138 New World stores nationwide, online and in the New World Wine Awards booklet.

For a sneaky thumbs up though, here are a few of our foodlovers favourite drops that made the medal list with suggested recipes to pair with them.

Brancott Estate Special Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2012 (Gold)
The judges said that Sweet braised onions, whether in onion soup or an onion tart will be the perfect foil for this wine so how about pairing it with our delicious Caramelised onion tart ^[1]

Ara Pathway Sauvignon Blanc 2013 (Gold)
The judges recommend trying it with fresh asparagus so we are tempting you with this flavour bursting pizza of fresh asparagus, goats cheese and courgette ^[2].

Church Road McDonald Series Pinot Gris 2012 (Gold)
The judges say that the spiciness of Thai fish-cakes with a touch of sweet chilli sauce will add to the harmony.  This sounds too good to not try and our Thai fish cakes are sublime! ^[3]

Sherwood Estate Stoney Range  Waipara Valley Riesling 2012 (Gold)
If this was on Facebook, it would list among its ‘friends’ salt and pepper squid, garlic prawns, grilled fish on the BBQ, oysters, lobster and cold roast pork! Salt and Pepper Squid ^[4] being a huge kiwi favourite.

 

For the full list of medal winners, details of the Top 50 wines, a cool Wine Finder and more visit the New World Wine Awards webpage. ^[5]

To enter the draw to win one of three 3 Champion Wine prize packs, fill in your details below

Prize will be drawn 5pm October 24 2013.

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