KEY POINTS:
"My favourite wine" - that's the declaration of one of the judges at the Sydney International Wine Competition.
The wine he's talking about: Spy Valley Marlborough Reisling 2006 - available at your local wine shop for under $20.
The Spy Valley wine, produced in the shadow of the Waihopai spy base in Marlborough's Wairau Valley, has received four trophies at the Sydney wine competition including best white table wine and best aromatic wine.
Unlike other wine shows the Sydney competition judges the finalists alongside specially prepared food dishes. This year the judges ate grilled squid and rocket salad while swilling the aromatic wines.
Judge John Ellis, who declared Spy Valley his favourite, described the wine as "wonderful".
"That varietal flavour complemented, balanced and enhanced the food. An excellent match. I can still taste it."
Fellow judge Martin Moran complimented the wine's very chalky, mineral notes on the nose and the palate of mineral and citrus notes as well as floral tones.
"It does take the food in its stride and it improves. It tastes richer and longer," he said. "I like this."
The Sydney wine show also saw Villa Maria receiving the trophy for the most successful winery at the competition and trophies awarded to Dancing Water, Waipara Hills and Sileni Cellar.
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Sydney International Wine Competition 2007
Full list of Results
* Spy Valley Riesling 2006
John Ryan Memorial Perpetual Trophy for Best Aromatic Wine of Competition
The John Marris Perpetual Trophy for Best Non-Australian Wine (except Champion or Reserve Champion)
The Wine Society Perpetual Trophy for Best White Table Wine of Competition
Kemeny's perpetual Trophy for Best Value Dry White Table Wine of Competition
* Villa Maria Estate Reserve Noble Riesling 2005
Trophy: Myra Lehmann Perpetual Trophy for best dessert wine of competition.
* Dancing Water Awatere Valley Single Vineyard
Sydney International Wine Competition Perpetual Trophy for Best Sauvignon Blanc Wine Of Competition
* Waipara Hills Waipara Pinot Gris 2006
Schenker Australia Pty Ltd Perpetual Trophy for Best Medium Bodied Dry White Table Wine of Competition
* Sileni Cellar Selection Cabernet Franc Rose 2006
Sydney International Wine Competition Perpetual Trophy for Best Still Rosé Wine of Competition
* Villa Maria Estate
SIWC Perpetual Trophy for most successful winery, 2007 competition
Other award winners
Sparkling Wines
* Lindauer Special Reserve Blanc De Blancs Nv
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
* Deutz Marlborough Blanc De Blancs 2002
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
Aromatic Wines
* Bald Hills Last Lightriesling 2006
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
* Waipara Hills Waipara Riesling 2006
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
* Grove Mill Marlborough Riesling 2006
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
* Kahurangi Estate Riesling 2005
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
* Villa Maria Estate Private Bin Riesling 2006
Highly commended wine
* Stoneleigh Riesling 2005
Highly commended wine
* Forrest Estate Gewurztraminer 2006
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
* Villa Maria Estate Private Bin Gewurztraminer 2006
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
Sauvignon Blanc Wines
*Sacred Hill Marlborough Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
* Summerhouse Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
* Wild South Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
* Ra Nui Marlborough Wairau Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
* Omaka Springs Estates Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
* Kaituna Valley Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
* Koura Bay Awatere Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
* Montana Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
* Astrolabe Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
* Gunn Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
* Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
* Giesen Marlborough Adams Block Single Vineyard Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2005
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
* Allan Scott Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
* Selaks The Favourite Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
* Omaka Springs Estates Falveys Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
* Nobilo Icon Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
* Matua Valley Paretai Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
* Southbank Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Highly commended wine
* Wairau River Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Highly commended wine
* Eradus Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Highly commended wine
* Whitehaven Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Highly commended wine
* Morton Estate Stone Creek Sauvignon Blanc 2005
Highly commended wine
* Brightwater Vineyards Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Highly commended wine
* Triplebank Awatere Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Highly commended wine
* Seifried Estate Winemakers Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Highly commended wine
Lighter Bodied Dry White Wines
* Montana Reserve Pinot Gris 2006
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
Medium Bodied Dry White Wines
* Spy Valley Pinot Gris 2006
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
* Triplebank Awatere Valley Pinot Gris 2006
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
* Stoneleigh Rapaura Series Pinot Gris 2006
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
Fuller Bodied Dry White Wines
* Summerhouse Marlborough Chardonnay 2005
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
* Nikau Point Reserve Chardonnay 2002
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
* Morton Estate Black Label Chardonnay 2002
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
* Montana Ormond Chardonnay 2004
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
* Hunters Marlborough Chardonnay 2004
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
* Villa Maria Estate Reserve Marlborough Chardonnay 2005
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
* Villa Maria Estate Reserve Marlborough Chardonnay 2004
Highly commended wine
* Selaks Founders Reserve Marlborough Chardonnay 2004
Highly commended wine
Rosé Wines
* Esk Valley Black Label Rose 2006
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
Pinot Noir Wines
* Amisfield Pinot Noir 2005
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
* Wither Hills Pinot Noir 2005
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
* Martinborough Vineyard Te Tera Pinot Noir 2005
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
* Saint Clair Doctors Creek Reserve Pinot Noir 2005
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
* Saint Clair Marlborough Pinot Noir 2005
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
* Villa Maria Estate Reserve Pinot Noir 2005
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
* Wild Earth Pinot Noir 2005
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
* Martinborough Vineyard Pinot Noir 2004
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
* Bald Hills Pinot Noir 2005
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
* Gibbston Valley Central Otago Pinot Noir 2005
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
* The Delta Wine Company Hatters Hill Pinot Noir 2005
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
* Triplebank Awatere Valley Pinot Noir 2005
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
* Wild Earth Pinot Noir 2004
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
* Seven Terraces Marlborough Pinot Noir 2005
Highly commended wine
* Waipara Hills Marlborough Pinot Noir 2005
Highly commended wine
* Burnt Spur Martinborough Pinot Noir 2004
Highly commended wine
Lighter Bodied Dry Red Wines
* Nikau Point Reserve Merlot Cabernet 2004
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
* Selaks The Favourite Syrah 2005
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
* Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Tempranillo 2005
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
* Matua Valley Matheson Merlot Cabernet 2004
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
* Mission Winery Reserve Syrah 2005
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
Medium Bodied Dry Red Wines
* Villa Maria Estate Reserve Merlot 2004
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
* Matakana Estate Hawkes Bay Merlot Malbec 2004
Highly commended wine
Dessert (Unfortified) Wines
* Framingham Marlborough Noble Riesling 2005
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
* Villa Maria Estate Reserve Noble Riesling 2004
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
* Forrest Estate Botrytised Riesling 2006
Blue-gold award winner and one of the Top 100 wines of the competition
