Australian riesling named the best in the world
Cardinham Estate Riesling 2003
Media release
Riesling vines
Judges at the 10th annual Canberra International Riesling Challenge have named an Australian wine, the 2003 Cardinham Estate Riesling, as the winner of the prestigious Best Riesling in the World Trophy at the award dinner at the Hyatt Hotel, Canberra.
The spectacular Clare Valley Riesling outpointed 550 wines from 10 countries in a field the Chair of the Judging Panel, David O’Leary described as ‘top-class’.
"The 2009 vintage in the Southern Hemisphere proved to be one of the better vintages for some time and will no doubt advance the popularity of this great variety,” Mr O’Leary said.
"The top wines all showed wonderful varietal character and expressions of regionality.”
Chair of the Riesling Challenge, Ken Helm, said the awarding of this year’s top prize to an Australian wine demonstrates that Australian producers can now proudly boast their wines more than match anything else produced anywhere in the world.
“For an Australian wine to beat the best of the best, and from Germany, the home of Riesling in particular, will probably raise a few eyebrows in Europe. But it’s fair to say our judges were knocked out by the sheer class of the Cardinham Estate Riesling,” Mr Helm said.
The trophies for the Best Current Vintage Riesling in Australia and the Southern Hemisphere were taken out by the 2009 Jacob’s Creek Reserve Riesling.
The ACT Chief Minister’s Award for the Best Riesling from the Canberra District was won by the 2009 Helm Premium Riesling.
Tasmanian winemaker Andrew Hood was presented with the Wolf Blass Award in recognition of his outstanding winemaking contribution and setting the highest standards in the development of Riesling, particularly in Tasmania.
David O’Leary’s fellow judges included John Belsham from Foxes Island NZ, Steffen Schindler from the German Wine School, Ian Hongell from Peter Lehmann Wines, leading wine writer Ken Gargett and Sally Harper, Sommelier from the Bathers Pavilion in Sydney.
Other award winners from the 2009 Canberra International Riesling Challenge were:
The Best Riesling in the World
Cardinham Estate, Cardinham Estate Riesling 2003
ACT Government and Qantas Airlines Award for The Best Riesling from Australia and New Zealand
Cardinham Estate, Cardinham Estate Riesling 2003
Jim Murphy’s Market Cellars Award for the Best Riesling from Australia - Current Vintage
Jacob’s Creek Wines, Jacob’s Creek Reserve Riesling 2009
The Best Riesling from New Zealand - Any Vintage
Forrest Estate Wines, Forrest Botrytised Riesling 2008
The New Zealand High Commissioner’s Perpetual Trophy for Innovation in Riesling Making in Australia or New Zealand
Mac Forbes Wines, Riesling RS37 2008
“Low alcohol 9.5%, wine of excellent quality”
Lallemand Award for Best Current Vintage Riesling - Southern Hemisphere
Jacob’s Creek Wines, Jacob’s Creek Reserve Riesling 2009
Australia Post Award for Best Open Class Riesling
Jacob’s Creek Wines, Jacob’s Creek Steingarten Riesling 2007
ActewAGL Award for Best Museum Class Riesling
Cardinham Estate, Cardinham Estate Riesling 2003
Staffelter Hof, Kröv Steffensberg Trockenbeerenauslese 2005
ACT Chief Minister’s Award for Best Riesling for the Canberra District
Helm Wines, Helm Premium Riesling 2009
Tamar Valley Wine Route Inc Trophy for Best Tasmanian Riesling
Tamar Ridge Estates, Tamar Ridge Kayena Vineyard Botrytis Riesling 2007
German Ambassador’s Trophy for Best European Riesling
Weingut Georg Muller Stiftung, Hattenheimer Wissel Brunnen TBA 2007
South African High Commission Trophy for Best South African Riesling
Not Awarded
USA Perpetual Trophy for the Best American Riesling
Chateau Ste Michelle Winery, Chateau Ste Michelle Ethos Late Harvest White Riesling 2006
Shaw Vineyard Estate and De Vine @ Kamberra Canberra District Prize
Helm Wines, Helm Premium Riesling 2009
Wolf Blass Award
Andrew Hood
In recognition of his outstanding winemaking contribution and setting the highest standards in the development of Riesling, particularly in Tasmania.
Ken Helm, Chairman, Canberra International Riesling Challenge
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