Small but perfectly formed

I imagine the feeling one gets when they win a gold medal in a national wine show wouldn't be dissimilar to that warm, cuddly feeling of approval, substantiation and pride that one gets each time the Eftpos machine says "accepted". Many don't make a big deal out of it. A little smiley smirk as you pop your card back into your wallet, a nod to the checkout person before purposefully grabbing your shopping and striding out of the store with your "Don't Be Jealous, I've Got Money And Now I'm Off for A Coffee" face on.
But there are a couple of local wineries who've been given an excuse to really whip out a fist pump and a loud "whoop-whoop" because they've come out with gold medals at some of the toughest competitions in the international wine arena.
Entering the Decanter Awards for the first time, the owners of Moana Park winery in Hawke's Bay weren't expecting the earth, but they were over the moon on hearing they'd scooped a gold medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards in London for their Viognier. The Decanter awards are recognised as one of the most influential wine competitions in the world and, with more than 11,600 wines entered from 40 countries, only a mere 2 per cent of the wines ever receive a gold medal. Alpha Domus also won a gold medal for their Wingwalker Viognier 2008 and guess what ... there were only four gold medals awarded to this aromatic white variety, which means Hawke's Bay viognier can be highlighted as one of the best regional examples in the world.
As well as operating under sustainable practices in the vineyard and winery, Moana Park is focused on producing low-allergen wines through the minimal use of preservatives. They're New Zealand's only commercial "vegetarian" winery, meaning they guarantee no use of fish, egg, gelatine or dairy in any of their wines.
Small but perfectly formed Schubert Winery down on Cambridge Road in Martinborough achieved a spectacular double whammy, receiving gold medals for both of their pinot noir styles at the Decanter World Wine Awards and the London International Wine Challenge. In London, the first gold medal was given to their 2008 Schubert Marion's Vineyard Pinot which the judges said had "creamy, rich, undergrowth quality. Dense, sweet fruit. Has real intensity with fleshy mid-palate. Lovely." The second gold and the Decanter Regional Trophy went to the 2008 Schubert Block B Pinot which the judges said had "mid-ruby colour, dense raspberry and smoke on the nose with a herb de Province overlay. Juicy, jammy palate with good lift. Nice length. Luscious." High praise indeed. I definitely need to try those wines - that is if I can get my hands on them after this news breaks.