Hawke's Bay wines have scooped half the gold medals picked up by New Zealand for its red wines at the recent International Wine Challenge staged in London.
There were 18 golds awarded to New Zealand wines in the reds section with five in the Bay coming up trumps, while three produced by Tauranga-based Mills Reef Winery and one by Marlborough-based Matua, but using Hawke's Bay grapes, also scored.
For Hastings-based Squawking Magpie Winery it was yet another award for its The Nest 2013 Merlot which was a trophy winner at the New Zealand International Wine Show, as well as having taken two previous gold awards at other competitions. Mission Estate picked up a brace of golds with its Mission Estate Syrah 2014 and the Mission Reserve Syrah 2014, while Craggy Range scored with its Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2014. Greyrock also bagged a gold with its 2014 Pinot Noir.
Of the 17 golds awarded in the whites category, it was no surprise that Marlborough wineries dominated with sauvignon blanc with just one gold coming to the Bay.
Esk Valley Winemakers Reserve Chardonnay 2014 got the nod.
