THE Mornington Peninsula Vignerons Association had made “provenance” awards to wineries producing three vintages of the peninsula’s “hero” wines – pinot noir and chardonnay.
This year’s awards saw the provenance awards go to Yabby Lake Winery, at Tuerong for its pinot noir and Paringa Estate, Red Hill South for chardonnay.
“The Provenance awards were envisaged as a different way of assessing chardonnay and pinot noir, looking at three vintages of a wine in detail, and in the context of consistency of quality, vineyard character, and winemaking style,” show committee chairman Lindsay McCall said.
“As the Mornington Peninsula focuses more and more on individual site characteristics and vineyard recognition, these awards allow the judges to explore the subtleties of terroir in a formal wine show format.”
Chair of judges David Bicknell said there had been “plenty of high quality competition” across the 12 wine categories.
“In the hallmark chardonnay and pinot noir categories top wines were complex, had excellent flow and extension while avoiding the pitfalls of excessive oak,” Mr Bicknell said.
They had been “a delight to judge”.
Now in its sixth year, the awards event was attended by 80 guests at Jackalope’s Doot Doot Doot restaurant, Merricks North.
Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Cr David Gill praised the contribution made by the wine industry to the economy.
“The wine industry is a significant contributor to the region, the Mornington Shire Council is very pleased to be supporting the industry and the show.” he said.
Trophy winners included:
- Best pinot grigio/pinot gris: 2018 Willow Creek Pinot Gris
- Best white varietal or blend: 2018 Rahona Valley Mary’s Block Gewürztraminer
- Best chardonnay: 2016 Ocean Eight Grande Chardonnay
- Best red varietal or blend: 2018 Montalto Pennon Hill Shiraz
- Best pinot noir and premier’s trophy selection: 2018 Yabby Lake Single Vineyard Block 5 Pinot Noir
- Chardonnay provenance award: Paringa Estate The Paringa – 2018, 2017, 2014
- Pinot noir provenance award: Yabby Lake Single Vineyard – 2018, 2016, 2012
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 19 November 2019
