KEY POINTS:
An exclusive Air New Zealand Wine Awards Gold Medal Wine Tasting was held last week at law firm Bell Gully, ahead of the event next Saturday in Christchurch.
The chairman of judges, Steve Smith, Master of Wine, was on hand to talk about the qualities that made these premium wines stand out from the rest, after they were selected by a panel of expert judges - including four internationals - who sampled more than 1500 entries over three days to award elite gold, gold, silver and bronze medals.
High point
The chance to be among the first to taste the elite gold, pure gold and gold medal-winning wines that will be awarded prestigious trophies this month.
Low point
That we won't be at the awards dinner down south to sample the six-course meal designed by Air New Zealand's executive chefs.
