A highlight for both wine producers and enthusiasts, the annual Singapore Airlines Swan Valley Wine Show was held last week in the lead up to Gourmet Escape. Mandoon Estate provided a sensational backdrop for the gala awards dinner on Friday evening, which was attended by winemakers throughout the region, Swan Valley business owners and members of the community.
A highlight for both wine producers and enthusiasts, the annual Singapore Airlines Swan Valley Wine Show was held last week in the lead up to Gourmet Escape. Mandoon Estate provided a sensational backdrop for the gala awards dinner on Friday evening, which was attended by winemakers throughout the region, Swan Valley business owners and members of the community. John Kosovich Wines was awarded the Singapore Airlines Trophy for the Best Table Wine of Show with their 2014 Chenin Blanc. This wine also won Best White Wine or Blend (other than Verdelho) and the Best Swan Valley White or Red Table Wine.
Riverbank Estate was another big winner - Best Sparkling Wine, Best Rosé, Best Non Greater Perth Zone Wine (Red or White) and Most Successful Producer from the show.
The Best Verdelho went to Garbin Estate’s 2011 Verdelho and the Best Dry White Wine of Show went to Black Swan Wines 2019 Classic White.
Judges were impressed with other white varietals and blends commenting: “High standards of wine. Lovely to see diversity from classic Swan Valley styles through to emerging varieties/styles. Top wine showed beautiful fruit purity and lovely texture. Older wines shower great development and poise.”
Reds were also represented well with the Best Red Wine Blend (less than 75% Shiraz) awarded to Corymbia’s 2017 Red Blend, the Best Single Red Varietal (other than Shiraz) to Mandoon Estate’s 2018 Old Vine Grenache and the Best Shiraz (or Shiraz Dominant Blend) going to Oakover Wines 2017 Clockwork Shiraz. Under the judges comments was noted ‘’Top wines had lovely fruit vibrancy and typicity.’’
The Best Fortified Wine of Show trophy was awarded to Millbrook Winery for their Limited Release Pedro Ximinez NV.
The Alan Dinneen Memorial Trophy went to Pinelli Estate’s 2019 Verdelho Reserve.
And the Exhibitor whose five or more entries gained the highest average score was won by Mandoon Estate.
Chair Cath Oates said “The Swan Valley is in an enviable position, with a wide range of wine styles. There are exciting times ahead for the region.”
Whilst one of the national judges Mike Bennie suggested that Chenin Blanc was the standout of the show, a great point considering three trophies were awarded to a Chenin Blanc.
