AUSTRALIA’S SOMMELIERS SET TO BATTLE IT OUT FOR TOP WINE LIST

3 March 2010

Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards presented by Fine Wine Partners and Gourmet Traveller WINE is underway again with sommeliers and restaurateurs around the country having until 9 April to enter.

The competition is open to restaurants big and small and a number of categories.

At the larger end of the scale is last year’s winner of Australia’s Wine List of the Year, Rockpool Bar & Grill. This list, managed by Sophie Otton, winner of the Judy Hirst Sommelier of the Year, has around 4000 wines. A team of 10 sommeliers is required to manage the logistics of ordering, delivery, allocation and sale.

Says Ottens: “The real art with a collection this size is its seamless integration and maintenance.”

Last year Rockpool Bar & Grill’s mammoth list swept up many of the major awards, but this year they will enter the Hall of Fame, leaving the field wide open for a new contender to win the 2010 Australia’s Wine List of the Year.

Chairman of Judges Peter Forrestal expects fierce competition among the country’s finest restaurants. “With 20 awards being decided over the next few months, there will be interest Australia-wide in places ranging from those with tiny lists to those offering a lively eclectic range in our best bars, value-for-money gems in our clubs or monumental lists at our five star hotels.”

Rob Hirst, Chairman of Fine Wine Partners and President of Wine Communicators of Australia is committed to growing the recognition across all venues to reward the investment in time, skill and resources spent in developing a quality wine list. Both he and Judy Sarris, editor of Gourmet Traveller WINE are excited by the prospect of including more medium to small lists in this year’s competition. “Some of the pubs and smaller venues are doing fantastic food and have well designed lists. Just because the list is small does not mean it can’t achieve a high rating,” said Sarris.

Lists will be rated with one, two and three glasses – with the highest ranking signifying their ability to compete with the world’s best. Results will be announced at the Awards presentation in Melbourne on Monday 2 August and published in the Aug/Sept 2010 issue of Gourmet Traveller WINE.

This year organisers are expecting a significant increase in entries of up to 20% due to a new online registration system to make the process more streamlined at www.winelistoftheyear.com.au

JUDGING PANEL AND LAST YEARS AWARD WINNERS

CHAIRMAN OF JUDGES Peter Forrestal (WA) Wine writer, member of Gourmet Traveller Wine's tasting panel, author of Quaff, show judge, restaurant reviewer for Gourmet Traveller and Qantas Magazine, judge of these Awards since their inception.

THE JUDGING PANEL The judging panel of about a dozen wine writers and sommeliers evaluates the wine lists entered in Australia's Wine List of the Year, with two judges (independently) assessing each list. Peter Bourne (NSW), Maryann Egan (Vic), Jane Faulkner (Vic), Ken Gargett (Qld), Nigel Hopkins (SA), Ray Jordan (WA), Graeme Phillips (Tas), Jeni Port (Vic), Louise Radman (SA), Nick Ryan (NSW), Nick Stock (Vic), Kim West OAM (Vic)

FINAL ROUND JUDGING PANEL In order to underline the impartiality of the judging process, the top half dozen wine lists are rated by the final round judges. These include the judging panel as well as a distinguished group of Australian and international wine writers and sommeliers. Nick Bulleid MW (ACT),Andrew Caillard MW (NSW),Huon Hooke (NSW), Toni Paterson MW (NSW),Banjo Harris Plane (NSW).Sophie Otton (NSW), Gerard Basset MW, MS, MBA (England), Bob Campbell MW (NZ), Felicity Carter (Germany), Cameron Douglas MS (NZ), Evan Goldstein MS (USA), Robert Joseph (England), Brian Julyan MS (England), James Lawther MW (France)

AUSTRALIA’S WINE LIST OF THE YEAR AWARD RESULTS 2009

OVERALL – NATIONAL WINNER OF THE 2009 AUSTRALIA’S WINE LIST OF THE YEAR AWARDS: - Rockpool Bar & Grill, Sydney, NSW NATIONAL WINNER OF THE JUDY HIRST AWARD: - Sophie Otton –Rockpool Bar & Grill, Sydney

STATE WINNERS ACT- The Ginger Room, Canberra NSW - Rockpool Bar & Grill, Sydney QLD - Cru Bar & Cellar, Brisbane SA - Appellation, Barossa Valley TAS- Terrace Restaurant, Prospect Vale VIC - Vue De Monde, Melbourne WA- Must Winebar, Perth

CATEGORY WINNERS BEST RESTAURANT LIST - Rockpool Bar & Grill, Sydney, NSW BEST NEW LIST – THE TONY HITCHIN AWARD - Rockpool Bar & Grill, Sydney, NSW BEST REGIONAL LIST - La Petanque, Main Ridge, VIC BEST SMALL LIST - Fino, Willunga, SA BEST FOOD AND WINE MATCHING - Bilson’s, Sydney, NSW BEST INTERNATIONAL HOTEL RESTAURANT LIST - Glass Brasserie, Sydney, NSW BEST WINE BAR LIST - Must Winebar, Perth, WA BEST COUNTRY RESTAURANT LIST - Royal Mail Hotel, Dunkeld, VIC BEST PUB RESTAURANT LIST - Settlers Tavern, Margaret River, WA BEST CAFE/BRASSERIE LIST - Bistro Vue, Melbourne, VIC BEST CLUB LIST - Racv Members Dining Room, Melbourne, VIC

READERS’S CHOICE AWARD - Wildfire, Sydney, NSW

Australian Wine Communicators of the Year

James Halliday, Paul Henry, Peter Bourne and Rob Hirst.

In an unprecedented decision, the 2010 Wine Communicator of the Year has been jointly awarded to wine educator and writer, Peter Bourne and Wine Australia's Paul Henry.

The award was presented at the annual WCA Macquarie Group Sydney Royal Wine Show Trophy Lunch after a unanimous decision from the award’s judges, Jancis Robinson OBE MW, James Halliday and President of WCA, Rob Hirst.

WCA president Rob Hirst said “These are extraordinary times and given the fundamental importance of both our domestic and international markets to the future of the Australian wine industry, it was agreed that this award should recognise contribution and impact in both markets. Therefore, the WCA Wine Communicator Award for 2010 is to be shared this year by two outstanding recipients:

1. 'For excellence in wine communication and the bettering of the Australian Wine Industry' - within Australia - Peter Bourne 2. 'For excellence in wine communication and the bettering of the Australian Wine Industry' - Internationally – Paul Henry (Wine Australia) International judge and famed wine communicator, Jancis Robinson, said of Paul Henry and Wine Australia’s impact in the international markets: “Albeit in difficult circumstances, Australian wine has benefited enormously from Paul’s background in journalism as well as the wine business. He has shown exceptional flair in harnessing an inventively wide range of means of communication to optimise the perception and performance of Australian wine”.

And of Peter Bourne’s contribution she said, “Peter brings exceptional humanity and sensitivity to what he communicates about Australian wine. He is a one-off and a particularly faithful friend to the fruits of Australian vineyards.”

Australian judge and Australia’s pre-eminent wine communicator and WCA Patron James Halliday said of Paul's outstanding International contribution - "Australia can count itself lucky that it has Paul Henry to guide its path through the thickets of over-production in a time of global financial uncertainty and significantly increased international competition in key markets. His intellect and clear vision allows him to focus on key export strategies that will lay the foundation for a prosperous future in the medium to long term".

Halliday then went on to say, "Peter Bourne has the gift of demystifying wine and thus speaking clearly to the precise group the industry needs to target: not the converted, but those whose interest can be captured and developed to the point where they understand fine wine and unwittingly become ambassadors for its cause".

Richard Geoffroy, Dom Pérignon Chef de Cave, uncorks personal blog

Dom Perignon Chef de cave Richard Geoffroy is launching Making Dom Pérignon, http://www.richardgeoffroy-domperignon.com, a blog detailing his nearly 20 years involvement in Dom.

Making Dom Pérignon is dedicated to the online wine lover communities and with those enthusiastic about the ‘art de vivre’, the culture of enjoying the pleasures and emotions provided by luxu

ry products. “The blog satisfies my desire to share more information about my work as the Chef de Cave at Dom Pérignon while offering me an opportunity to connect with Dom Pérignon enthusiasts,” Geoffroy said.

“I invite you to join me on a trip in space and time: during my travels around the world for our Wine Mission or in the cellar in Epernay, at public events or behind closed doors, but also browsing through my memories or projecting myself into future releases and projects. In short, telling all the stories that relate to making Dom Pérignon.”

The blog takes readers on a Behind the Scenes tour of Dom Pérignon and unravels the secrets of the man who is alone responsible for deciding whether or not to declare a Dom Pérignon vintage.

Making Dom Pérignon will debut as Geoffroy launches the Dom Pérignon Rosé Œnothèque programme in Japan, the opening act of Wine Mission 2010, which will send him on a true trip around the world, from Asia, to Europe, to the Americas.

Aussie wine named world’s best new ‘green’ drink

Europe’s leading drinks publication, Drinks Business, has named Australian family owned compoany Taylors winner of the Best Green Launch at the 2010 Green Awards in London.

Taylors Wines won the award at the Drinks Business Green Awards which recognises and rewards drinks businesses for significant environmental, sustainable and climate change initiatives.

The Best Green Launch is awarded to a beer, wine, spirit or soft drink launch that has promoted an environmentally friendly cause, has sustainable issues at its core and clearly demonstrates a reduction in its environmental impact during production.

Taylors Wines was the only Australian entrant in the international Best Green Launch category and won for its September 2009 launch of Eighty Acres - the world’s first 100% carbon neutral range of wines based on a complete cradle-to-the-grave Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) compliant to ISO14044.

The LCA, maintained by The Australian Wine Research Institute, allowed Taylors to define an accurate total carbon footprint and subsequently work to minimise emissions prior to off-setting the balance. To assist with the reduction of emissions, Taylors has moved the Eighty Acres range into O-I’s new Lean + Green™ lightweight bottles that are 40% lighter than normal bottles and reduce CO²e per bottle by more than 15% .

Taylors then selected Carbon Neutral, an Australian not-for-profit organisation which provides carbon offsets including Verified Emission Reduction Units (VERs), to offset the sum of carbon emissions. Taylors Wines and Carbon Neutral are committed to purchasing their VERs through domestic projects, independently certified by the Australian Federal Government, ensuring the avoided emissions maximise the benefit to the local environment.

Mitchell Taylor, third generation Managing Director for Taylors Wines said: “Our environmental commitment is something we all hold very dear to our hearts and for many years, we have made a concerted effort to protect the future of the Australian and global wine industry and ultimately future generations of our family. Winning Best Green Launch is confirmation that we’re doing the right thing.”

For more information on the Drinks Business 2010 Green Awards, please visit www.thedrinksbusiness.com or for details about Taylors 100% carbon neutral Eighty Acres wines, go to www.eightyacres.com.au.

RSM BIRD CAMERON TIMBER TOWNS REGIONAL WINE SHOW

Nathan Walter RSM Bird Cameron [sponsor],Brian Ede Hillbrook Wines Winner Wine of Show, Best White, 2009 Sauvignon Blanc Pemberton, Richard Doust Chairman of committee. Right hand photo JEANNETTE STURIS Kingsley Motel [sponsor], Di Millar Bellarmine Wines Winner Best Red – 2008 Petit Verdot 2008 Pemberton, Winner best Exhibitor, Richard Doust Chairman of committee.

It was a historic occasion and to my knowledge the first time a sauvignon blanc and a petit verdot battled it out for best wine of the show.

This was the RMS Bird Cameron Timber Towns Wine Show which takes in the regions of Pemberton, Manjimup and Blackwood. Not a big show but an important one given the number of small niche producers making wines in these three regions.

In the end the Hillbrook sauvignon blanc 2009 was the unanimous choice ahead of the Bellarmine petit verdot 2008. Both are excellent wines scoring gold medals in the initial judging, before heading into the final show down.

And while it was expected that a sauvignon blanc from the Pemberton region should show well, the petit verdot, a variety more suited to warmer climes, was a revelation. The Hillbrook trophy continues the remarkable success for this wine which achieved considerable show success last year. The Bellarmine success was a surprise because this procedure has until now been best known for its superb rieslings, one of which did win a trophy in the show.

Without doubt the whites at the show played the strongest hand with a number of outstanding wines presented. In particular the chardonnays and the sauvignons blanc s which displayed beautiful fruit vibrancy and balance were outstanding and continue to point to a great future for these varieties from this region.

The rieslings too were also very good and reminding us that the Great Southern doesn’t have it all its own way with this variety.

Overall the red wines were disappointing which was surprising given that most came from recent excellent vintages. Although there are always exceptions, winemakers will have to decide whether varieties such as cabernet, merlot and shiraz are worth pursuing. And there is clearly more work to be done to get the best out of pinot noir, a variety which seems ideally suited to the region but which regularly disappoints.

Timber Towns Regional Wine Show