THERE is no doubt the judges at the 23rd Sheraton WA Wine Awards on Tuesday night were impressed by exhibits from the lesser-sized wineries because the 2000 event was basically a small winemakers’ show.At a presentation dinner in the new Grand River...
THERE is no doubt the judges at the 23rd Sheraton WA Wine Awards on Tuesday night were impressed by exhibits from the lesser-sized wineries because the 2000 event was basically a small winemakers’ show.
At a presentation dinner in the new Grand River Ballroom, more than 400 guests from throughout the State saw gold and silver trophies awarded.
A record 91 wineries entered the awards and, with more than 342 exhibits than last year’s judging, the Sheraton Awards continue to grow despite the absence of Evans and Tate and Houghton.
WA journalist Michael Zekulich was awarded the Jack Mann Memorial Medal for Outstanding Contributions to the WA Wine Industry.
A new award aimed at encouraging the up-and-coming, the Talijancich-Radoux Award, was presented to the Dux of the Class of the Curtin University Viticultural Course.
Vanessa Carson was given the honour, winning a vantage in Bordeaux.
Small Margaret River winemaker Gralyn Estate swept the awards, winning the Ansett Australia Most Successful Exhibitor and the Chairman’s Trophy for the 1999 Gralyn Estate Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon.
Awards winners:
Class No. 1: Dry White Reisling, Silver Medal, Lamont Winery Reisling 99; Gold Medal, None awarded.
Class No. 2: Dry White Sauvignon Blanc, Silver Medal, Capel Vale Sauvignon Blanc 2000; Gold Medal, Alkoomi Sauvignon Blanc 2000.
Class No. 3: White Dry Semillon, Silver Medal Sandalford Wines Semillon 99; Gold Medal Vasse Felix Semillon 2000.
Class No. 4: Dry White Chardonnay, Silver Medal, Piano Gully Chardonnay 99; Gold Medal, Howard Park Wines Chardonnay 99.
Class No. 5: Dry White – other varieties or blends of varieties, Silver Medal, Forest Hill Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon 2000; Gold Medal, None Awarded.
Class No. 6: Sweet White Table Wine, Silver Medal, Medal Goundrey Wines Riesling/Sauvignon Blanc 99; Gold Medal, None Awarded.
Class No. 7: Dry Red Pinot Noir, Silver Medal Goundrey Wines Pinot Noir 99; Gold Medal, none awarded.
Class No. 8: Dry Red Cabernet Sauvignon, Silver Medal, Driftwood Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 98; Gold Medal, Gralyn Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 99.
Class No. 9: Dry Red Shiraz, Silver Medal, Amberley Estate Shiraz 99; Gold Medal, Gralyn Estate Shiraz 99.
Class No. 10: Dry Red – other varieties or blends of varieties, Silver Medal, Xanadu Wines Merlot 98; Gold Medal, Gralyn Estate Shiraz/Cabernet 99.
Class No. 11: Sparkling Wine red or white, Silver Medal, None Awarded; Gold Medal, None Awarded.
Class No. 12: Fortified Wine, any style, Silver Medal, Talijancich Wines Tokay 69; Gold Medal Sandalford Wines Pedro Ximenez NV.
Ansett Australia Most Successful Exhibitor Award: Gralyn Estate.
Chairman’s Award for the Best Individual Entry: Gralyn Estate Shiraz/Cabernet 99.
The 2000 Wine Press Club Jack Mann Memorial Medal Winner: Mike Zekulich.
The Talijancich Radoux Award: Vanessa Carson.
