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Steve Smith's wine career may have started in the vineyards but it is destined for the top tasting table with the announcement today that he will take over as chief judge of one of New Zealand's top wine competitions.
The annual Air New Zealand Wine Awards have been without a chief judge since winemaker Brent Marris resigned in December after controversy over his 2006 Wither Hills Sauvignon Blanc.
"He [Mr Smith] is one of the most respected winemakers in New Zealand and the first viticulturist in the world to achieve the Master of Wine ticket, which makes him ideal for the role," said Philip Gregan, chief executive officer of New Zealand Winegrowers, the organisation that oversees these wine awards.
Because of his role as general manager of Craggy Range Winery in Hawkes Bay, Mr Smith said he would not enter any wines he had been involved in making.
"I think it's basically a case of perception because how could you stand up there after being involved in the judging process and, even if you didn't judge your particular wine, you basically accept a trophy from yourself."
Mr Smith said changes would be put in place at this year's awards to ensure judging systems were more watertight.
Since 1990 the awards have had three chief judges - John Comerford, John Belsham and Brent Marris.
Mr Marris' Wither Hills winery in Marlborough was audited after wine writer Michael Cooper suggested there were two different versions of the 2006 Wither Hills Sauvignon Blanc under the same label.
The audit found any discrepancies to be within the boundaries of standard variation but Mr Marris returned medals the wine had won and resigned as chief judge of the awards.
