Bay to host ANZ wine awards

The 31st Air New Zealand Wine Awards are coming to Hawke's Bay

Hawke's Bay, New Zealand's second largest wine region, will play host to the 31st Air New Zealand Wine Awards this November.

The annual awards dinner will be held on Saturday, November 25, at the Pettigrew-Green Arena in Taradale, and will be attended by New Zealand's top winemakers and industry figures to celebrate the country's best wines.

The Hawke's Bay region has been producing award-winning wine since 1851 and is best known for its Bordeaux-blend reds and Chardonnay, with aromatic whites and Syrah also becoming increasingly popular.

Hawke's Bay has a well-established wine tourism trail that showcases the region's art deco architecture and artisan producers.

The awards dinner will culminate in the announcement of the most coveted prize of the competition, the Air New Zealand Champion Wine of the Show Trophy.

Last year, the trophy went to Central Otago winery Lowburn Ferry for its Home Block Pinot Noir 2014. The O-I New Zealand Reserve Wine of the Show Trophy was awarded to the Brancott Estate Letter Series "O" Chardonnay Marlborough 2015.

Global marketing director for New Zealand Winegrowers Chris Yorke says the Air New Zealand Wine Awards dinner is a big night for New Zealand's wine industry.

"Winning a trophy or medal is recognition of the hard work and skill that goes into making the wine, and lets consumers know they are drinking some of the finest wine in the world."

The Air New Zealand Wine Awards is the premier wine competition in New Zealand, recognising excellence in winemaking.

The competition is owned and organised by New Zealand Winegrowers, the national organisation for the country's 1600 grape growers and winemakers. Entries for the 2017 competition open to New Zealand wineries on Monday, August 7.

For more information visit www.airnzwineawards.co.nz