Accolades for Matakana Wines

Posted by on 1 November 2011 | 1 Comments

In 2010 the University of Auckland Wine Science Department established the “Upper North Island Wine Challenge”. This competition “…was initiated from a perceived need for the region and its sub-regions to be recognized as making a unique and historical contribution to the New Zealand wine industry”. The region encompasses Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty. Many of the sub-regions within this area share similar climate and soils conditions, and even where they differ, they remain more similar to each other in “terroir’ characteristics than to the wine regions further south. So this competition really allows valid comparison of like with like.

 

The 2011 competition was held in October. The judges comprised Bob Campbell MW as chairman, arguably New Zealand’s most respected wine writer and judge, and four other highly experienced wine show judges. While not all winegrowers are interested in competitions, the 2011 event attracted more than 100 entries from the length and breadth of the region, which was 50% more than in the inaugural 2010 competition.

 

A total of 53 medals were awarded. One judge’s comment was that because there were a relatively small number of entries compared with most competitions, the judging panels were able to spend more time evaluating each wine. This resulted in his view, in a more strict and possibly more harsh judging standard than usual.

 

Half of the medals were awarded to Northland wines (well done Northland), one quarter to Matakana wines, and most of the rest went to Waiheke. Looking more closely at the awards shows Matakana region wines in a more impressive light: Three of the six gold medals awarded went our way: Omaha Bay Vineyard for it’s 2009 Pinot Gris (the only white wine to receive gold), and two Ti Point reds – “One” Merlot/Cabernet 2010 and  “Matriarch” Syrah 2010.

 

Three of the 12 silver medals also three went our way – Ransom “Cosmos” Chardonnay 2008 and Matavino Viognier 2010 (two of only three silvers awarded to white wines), and Ti Point’s Merlot/Cabernet 2010. Bronze medals went to Coxhead Creek Vineyard (Cabernet Franc 2010); Hyperion (“Midas” Malbec 2009 and “Helios” Chardonnay 2010); Mahurangi River Winery (“Field of Grace” Chardonnay 2009); Omaha Bay (Syrah 2008 and “The Imposter” Flora 2009), and Ti Point (“Ruby Rose” 2011).

 

It is interesting to note that while the wines of Waiheke tend to have a high profile and perception for quality, Matakana out-performed Waiheke in total numbers of medals in this competition. Better still, we out-performed Waiheke in numbers of both gold and silver medals awarded.

 

Congratulations to all these winners. It is great to see Matakana winegrowers punching so well above our weight in the Upper North Island region.