A TOTAL of 499 of the region’s favourite wines have been entered in next month’s Limestone Coast Wine Show, representing 77 producers from all seven Limestone Coast sub-regions.
Entries have now closed for the October 23-26 event, with the two-year-old cabernet class again attracting the largest number of nominations.
Committee member Sarah Pidgeon said the response reflected excellvent recent vintages.
“Cabernet is certainly the hero variety for this part of the world and it is pleasing to see such strong support again for the 2018 event, with 76 wines vying for this class,” she said.
The wine show received strong shiraz entries, while pinot gris was the fastest-growing category, reflecting a varietal shift in the region towards the trending wine.
“It’s starting to rival the more classic sauvignon blancs and rieslings that are doing well, although it still has some way to go to match solid chardonnay entry figures,” Ms Pidgeon said.
Now in its 18th year, 10 judges will oversee the event at Coonawarra Hall, rather than the traditional six.
Acclaimed Tasmania-based winemaker and consultant Samantha Connew has been announced as the new chief of judges.
She will lead three distinguished panels of critics, including high-profile wine communicator Jeni Port and New Zealand-based wine judge and author Sam Kim.
In a first for the event, a Limestone Coast-based judge will also join each panel this year, with winemakers Sue Hodder (Wynns Coonawarra Estate), Anna Hooper (Cape Jaffa Wines) and Luke Tocaciu (Patrick of Coonawarra) adding their broad expertise to the event.
Trophy winners will be announced on October 25 at the Naracoorte Town Hall, hosted by the Wrattonbully Wine Region.
Coordinator Susie Harris said a limited number of tickets were still available for the event, with local caterers St Bee’s creating an unforgettable menu with matched trophy and medal-winning wines from Wrattonbully.
“It’s going to be a fabulous evening that pays homage to the ancient coastline and geology that gives rise to Wrattonbully’s unique and award-winning wine styles,” Ms Harris said.
Wolf Blass viticulturist Martin Wirper – the 2017 Arthur Hoffmann Trophy winner – will be a guest speaker at the dinner, sharing details of his recent study tour abroad.
Visit www.limestonecoastwine.com.au to purchase tickets.
