22 June 2009
Trophy winning wines at next month’s Hot Red Hawke’s Bay
Guests at next month’s Hot Red Hawke’s Bay wine expo should expect to be wowed by this year’s line up of award winning reds, say organisers of the annual red wine expo, Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers Inc.
With the opportunity to sample and critique over 100 of the region’s first-class wines, this year’s audience will taste a top selection of prize-holding drops.
This year the expo is hosting up to 25 wineries at each of the three venues in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland, and of the 100-plus wines available for tasting, a significant number have won national and international awards, says Lyn Bevin, Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers Inc. Executive Officer.
“Of the wines on show this year about one third are gold medal winners and eight hold trophy awards,” she says.
“Many others hold silver and bronze awards from various national and international competitions, classifying each of those wines as one of the finest in each of their respective categories,” she adds.
Wineries showing their trophy winning wines at this year’s expo include; Beach House, Church Road, Clearview Estate Winery, Crossroads Winery, Trinity Hill, and Villa Maria.
In addition, about a quarter of the wines on show are new releases, meaning they have not yet had the opportunity to be judged in any competitions this award season, giving this year’s eager Hot Red audience the rare opportunity to sample a selection of what could potentially be this year’s hottest award winning wine.
Hawke’s Bay reds continue to have considerable success at New Zealand’s national wine competitions, perhaps most significantly at the Air New Zealand Wine Awards and the Royal Easter Show Wine Awards.
“Our national competition results prove Hawke’s Bay is New Zealand’s number one red wine producing region,” confirms Lyn.
Red wines produced in the region also receive regular acclaim from overseas, with recent successes including the London International Wine Fair held last month.
“Hawke’s Bay is recognised internationally as a top producer of fine red wines and the various accolades achieved each year for wines from the region go a long way in reaffirming their high quality and reputation,” says Lyn.
Wine writer for Robert Parker, Neil Martin, who visited the region early last year is quoted as saying, “One forgets just how fine New Zealand’s Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux blends can be, particularly in Hawke’s Bay.”
“Every year our expo showcases the best of the best and this year is no exception. Our guests should expect to find something special,” says Lyn.
Hot Red Hawke’s Bay is being held in Christchurch at Christchurch Town Hall on Tuesday July 7; in Wellington at The Duxton Hotel on Wednesday July 8; and in Auckland at Heritage Hotel on Thursday July 9.
General admission tickets are $35 which includes a special Hot Red wine glass, wine samples of all wines, and a full catalogue of all wines and wineries. Tickets for the public can be purchased online through www.winehawkesbay.co.nz and at selected wine retailers in Wellington and Christchurch.
Hospitality trade and media can register online at no charge.
