Saint Clair Family shines at Sydney International Wine Competition
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Six wines from Saint Clair Family Estate have been named in the TOP 100 Wines at the prestigious Sydney International Wine Competition.
Judges assess wines not only for their technical excellence but also alongside a food dish specifically created to be matched with wines of that particular palate weight. It is this final judging with appropriate food that makes this competition so unique.
Of 2000 entries, 400 finalists win awards, the top 200 of which are Blue-Gold Awards. From within the Blue-Gold Awards, the top hundred are nominated as the TOP 100 award-winning wines of the competition. And finally, of the remaining 200 Finalists, the top half in the 13 Style Categories receive Highly Commended Awards.
Only 15% of the total entries receive any recognition, making the Sydney International Wine Competition one of the toughest marking-competition of all the major internationals.
Top 100 and Blue-Gold 2011
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 10 Twin Hills Chardonnay 2010
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 5 Bull Block Grüner Veltliner 2011
Saint Clair Marlborough Premium Pinot Noir 2010
Saint Clair Vicar’s Choice Pinot Noir 2010
Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 1 Foundation Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Blue-Gold 2011
Saint Clair Omaka Reserve Chardonnay 2010
Saint Clair Vicar’s Choice Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Highly Commended 2011
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 9 Big John Riesling 2010
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 11 Cell Block Sauvignon Blanc 2011
“This is the best Saint Clair has ever done in this show and it’s a huge achievement to get six out of the top 100 wines,” says owner of Saint Clair Family Estate Neal Ibbotson.
“We are particularly thrilled with the Grüner Veltliner award, as it is the first year we have produced this variety. We are also proud of the Wairau Reserve which is our flagship wine and New Zealand’s most awarded Sauvignon Blanc.”
It’s been a fantastic week for Saint Clair Family Estate, after shining once again at the Winestate Wine of the Year 2011 official awards presentation in Auckland on Tuesday where they were awarded the highly acclaimed New Zealand Winery of the Year trophy. This is the second consecutive year that Saint Clair Family Estate has been awarded this prestigious trophy – the only other company other than Villa Maria to have done so.
Owners Neal and Judy Ibbotson are incredibly proud to have received this award again this year, commenting: “We have a great team of people with an open-minded philosophy towards quality from the vineyards and winery who are consistently producing an excellent product that over delivers over and above consumers’ expectations.”
It’s another remarkable result for Saint Clair Family Estate, further cementing its international reputation as a world-class wine producer.