KEY POINTS:
Sustainable wines have been awarded gold medals in a first for the Air New Zealand Wine Awards.
Six pure gold medals were awarded in the new sustainability category for wines made using best practice environmental procedures in the vineyard and winery.
Those wines will go on to vie for the Champion Sustainable Wine Trophy.
In addition, 19 pure silver and 23 pure bronze medals were awarded in the category.
Aromatic wines took the spotlight impressing the judges with a total of 20 gold medals awarded to the Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Viognier and Pinot Blanc varieties.
The awards attracted 1540 entries.
The awards have a new chair of judges, Steve Smith, and an increased international judging line-up.
Controversy last year led to the resignation of Brent Marris as chief judge.
Mr Marris was accused - then cleared - of creating special batches of sauvignon blanc wine for award tastings.
The judging panel awarded 83 gold medals, 227 silver medals and 364 bronze medals.
Winners of the elite gold medals and trophies, including Champion Wine of the Show and Champion Sustainable Wine Trophy, will be announced on November 24.
- NZPA
