THE Limestone Coast Wine Show is going green with organisers expanding the use of digital technology at the 19th annual event.
The prestigious showcase event will now accept only online submissions, while the show’s official vineyard register and October judging process will also switch to a paperless system.
Wine show spokesperson Lauren Hansen said the committee was committed to continually refining its systems.
“We want to demonstrate our commitment to a sustainable future and also keep the show efficient, relevant and interesting so that it remains a highly anticipated event on the industry calendar,” she said.
Three judging panels will spend two days putting the finest wines from across the region to the ultimate test at the Coonawarra Hall on October 22 and 23.
Tasmania’s Stargazer Wines chief and 2007 international red winemaker of the year Samantha Connew will return for her second year as chief of judges.
“I am looking forward to coming back and with one year under my belt,” she said.
I certainly feel that I have got a much better understanding of the fantastic Limestone Coast community and the wines that are being produced there, along with the changes that have happened over the past 10 to 15 years.
“Cabernet is incredibly well known in this region, but I am also excited about seeing more of the lesser-known varieties which really caught the judges’ attention last year, including Cabernet Franc, Shiraz from Mount Benson and Riesling from Mount Gambier”.
Melbourne wine writer, author and wine judge Jeni Port will also return, along with Melbourne’s City Wine Shop retail manager Jeremy Prideaux.
The guest international judge is Canadian wine educator, critic, author and sommelier Michelle Bouffard.
Highly involved in the discussions around the effects of climate change in the wine world, Ms Bouffard is organiser of the international conference Tasting Climate Change, which was first held in Montreal in October 2017.
Pernod Ricard Fine Wine director Travis Fuller, Margaret River winemaker Cliff Royle, Australian Grape industry policy manager Anna Hooper and Coonawarra senior winemakers Sue Hodder and Bruce Gregory will also feature on the judging panels.
“A record-high 338 medals were awarded at last year’s wine show, including 43 gold, 110 silver and 185 bronze and we are hoping that we will be able to beat that incredible haul in our 19th year of competition,” Ms Hansen said.
Producers from across the Limestone Coast have until August 23 to nominate their top drops for judging.
The 2019 Limestone Coast Wine Show winners will be announced on Thursday, October 24 at a trophy presentation dinner at Rymill Hall in Penola.
