KEY POINTS:
A second year vintage pinot noir hailing from a region best known for sauvignon blanc has won the country's leading wine trophy.
Delta Vineyard Marlborough Pinot Noir 2005 took the champion wine of the show trophy at the 2006 Air New Zealand Wine Awards on Saturday.
The vintage is no stranger to awards - last month, it won gold at the New Zealand International Wine Show.
"It looks like less of a fluke now," said Delta Wine Company winemaker Matt Thomson.
But there was no doubt as to the quality of the entry, which retails at about $22.
"We knew we had a chance, but I had looked at the line-up of pinot noir and there were wines that I thought were very, very good.
"I felt that our wine was up there with the best of them, but you never know. When you're judging at that level, a lot of it is what the judges actually prefer, and that's subjective, there's no doubt."
The pinot is only the company's second vintage. The vineyards, located west of Blenheim, was planted in 2002 and 2003. "We thought there was potential in pinot noir in Marlborough when we first started looking for a block, which was back in about 1999. We knew there was potential here, we just needed to find the right place."
As well as providing a showcase for their product, Mr Thomson hopes the win will interest an investor to take Delta "to a new level", with plans to open their own winery. Their wines are made at the Mud House Wine Company's winery in Marlborough.
The chairman of the judges, Brent Marris, said Delta's entry was a classic pinot noir that was fruit-driven with a soft silk texture, while also having depth of flavour.
"The trophy-winning wine demonstrates the excellence being achieved in New Zealand pinot noir winemaking."
This year's awards drew 1737 entries, making it the biggest competition for New Zealand wines.
Eighteen trophies were awarded to 13 wineries in Auckland, Hawkes Bay, Wairarapa, Marlborough and Central Otago.
Hawkes Bay and Marlborough wines dominated, winning seven trophies each.
Air New Zealand Wine Awards 2006 Winners
Air New Zealand champion wine of the show trophy
* Delta Vineyard Marlborough Pinot Noir 2005
Bell Gully reserve wine of the show trophy
* Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2006
O-I NZ champion chardonnay trophy
* Villa Maria Single Vineyard Ihumatao Auckland Chardonnay 2005
Air Sea Global champion pinot noir trophy
* Delta Vineyard Marlborough Pinot Noir 2005
GlobalCap NZ Champion Sauvignon Blanc Trophy
* Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Nissan NZ champion sparkling wine trophy
* Paradox Marlborough Methode Traditionnelle NV
Carter & Associates champion cabernet sauvignon or predominant blend trophy
* Hatton Estate Tahi-One Gimblett Road Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot/Cabernet Franc 2004
Label and Litho champion gewurztraminer trophy
* Sacred Hill Hawkes Bay Vineyards Gewurztraminer 2006
Bayleys champion merlot trophy
* Villa Maria Reserve Hawkes Bay Merlot 2004
Fruitfed Supplies champion merlot predominant blend trophy
* Esk Valley Reserve Merlot Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Fairfax Media champion open red wine trophy
* Wooing Tree Central Otago pinot noir 2005
New World champion open white wine trophy
* Palliser Estate Martinborough Riesling
Hort Research champion other red varieties trophy
* Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Tempranillo 2005
Huka Lodge champion pinot gris trophy
* Astrolabe Marlborough Pinot Gris 2006
AMPM Marketing champion riesling trophy
* Palliser Estate Martinborough Riesling 2006
BDO Spicers champion rose or blush trophy
* Esk Valley Black Label Merlot Malbec Rose 2006
Marlborough Bottling Company champion medium sweet or sweet wine trophy
* Jackson Estate Marlborough Botrytis Riesling 2006
Business World Travel champion syrah trophy
* Bridge Pa Vineyard Louis Syrah 2004
