North Canterbury’s wines celebrated

Pete Chapman, of 27 Seconds winery, with the Gold Medal winning and People's Choice 2021 Rosé. Photo: Supplied

A diverse range of wines and styles were lined up at this year’s Amberley A&P Show Alpine Pacific Wine Challenge.

Chair of the judges Petter Evans says the overall wine quality was very high, which was reflected in the number of medals given.

Muddy Water 2018 Chardonnay was crowned Show Champion.

The social enterprise range of wines, 27 Seconds, produced a great combination of results — a Gold Medal and the People’s Choice White wine for their 2021 Rose, and Mon Cheval picked up the Peoples Choice for their 2019 Pinot Noir, and Museum Class champion for their 2015 Riesling.

A first time entrant, Hanmer Springs Wines, picked up the Natural Wine of Show Award for its 2019 Field Blend White.

"The wines from traditionally grown Waipara varieties Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir were very strong, while the diversity of the region showed through in the Syrah and Gruner Veltliner," said Petter.

Dom Maxwell (left) and Nik Mavromatis with the winning 2018 Muddy Water Chardonnay. Photo: Supplied

Petter was joined by Jim Harre and Adam Bennett on the judging panel.

Entries were open to the whole Canterbury district and the effects of a tough business year, battling Covid-19 restrictions, and some earlier damaging frosts, attracted a smaller number of entries this year.

But they were a "seriously high quality field," the judges said.

In addition to our Professional Panel of judges, there was a People’s Choice panel, which included a local chef, a vet and an education professional.

This trio focused on rating wines for their drinkability, rather than precise winemaking, giving the opportunity to showcase another couple of superb wines from the local area.

Unfortunately the wines could not get any local exposure this year due to the A&P show being closed to the public and only selected animal classes being run.

Red and Museum winners, Deborah and Graham Pearson. Photo: Supplied

The Champion Muddy Water Chardonnay, however, am an organic wine, did go through to the Aotearoa Regional Wine Competition, and was Crowned this year’s top Canterbury wine.

The Terrace Edge 2020 Syrah also made that journey, and was the highest rated Canterbury red wine from both competitions.

Amberley A&P Show Alpine Pacific Wine Challenge medal winners:

Gold: Muddy Water 2018 Chardonnay (Show Champion); Terrace Edge Classic, 2021 Riesling Medium; House of Ball, 2020 Gruner Veltliner; 27 Seconds (People’s Choice White), Rose; Old Glenmark Vicarage, 2020 Pinot Noir; Terrace Edge, 2020 Syra and 2018 St aurent.
Silver: Mon cheval, 2015 Riesling,(Museum Wine of Show); Tiki Single Vineyard, 2021 Sauvignon Blanc; Saving Grade, 2019, Chardonnay, Silver; Old Glenmark Vicarage, 2014 Pinot Noir; house of Ball, 2018 Riesling; 27 Seconds, 2020 Pinot Noir; Mon Cheval 2019 Dry Riesling; Terrace Edge, 2021 Sauvignon Blanc; 27 Seconds Encore 2020 Pinot Gris; Waipara Downs, 2018, Chardonnay; Hanmer Springs Field Blend ( Natural wine of Show), Silver Wing Nada.
Bronze: Old Glenmark Vicarage, 2020 Riesling; 27 Seconds (2020 Riesling) ; Tiki Single Vineyard (4), 2020 Pinot Noir, 2020 Rose, 2019 Chardonnay, 2019 Pinot Noir; Mon Cheval (3), 2019 Pinot Noir voted People’s’s Choice); Saving Grace (1), Riesling dry 2020; Terrace Edge (2) 2021 Riesling, 2018 Pinot Noir; Mt Beautiful (5), 2018 Riesling dry, 2019 Sauvignon Blanc, 2019 Pinot Gris, 2018 Chardonnay, 2018 Pinot Noir; Silver Wing 2018 Pinot Noir; French Peak (1), Orange Wine (Chard); Georges Road, Southbank 2020 Pinot Noir; Norwester 2020 Pinot Noir; House of Ball 2020 Pinot Noir.