Johns tipple taste test helped along by tea bags

For John Hancock, founder of Hawke's Bay's Trinity Hill Winery and one of the country's leading wine judges, there's nothing like a good tea bag.

``It's a great standardiser,'' he said when the subject was raised of how a judge went about cleansing the palate between tasting sips ... especially when there's about 130 sips to be taken.

Which was the number he and the rest of the 13-strong judging panel faced last week at the 2012 New World Wine Awards.

``Although with the recalls, that might have crept up to 170 or so.''

He said all judges had their own ``tricks'' to clear the taste buds between sips, and he knew of a couple of others who also took the tea bag approach.

``You just put the tea bag in a glass and smell it between tastes. It takes me back to start ... it's just the smell that does it.''

That, plus 35 years of being involved in judging competitions all over the world, and the experience that brings, does the job.

``And sometimes I'll also have a biscuit or some sparkling water in between _ it's a matter of mindset, you just get used to it.''

It is the 10th year Mr Hancock has been part of the judging team for the annual New World awards.

``I think I'm the only one who's done them all,'' he said, adding he particularly enjoyed them as they were effectively consumer-focused on premium wines.

All wines entered - and there were more than 1000 entries from 164 wineries nationally and internationally - must retail for less than $25, and at least 500 cases must be available for sale. ``I like the idea because it has commercial benefits for those who enter it _ they can see it in sales.''

The awards use the same 20 point system used at all leading international wine competitions, and Mr Hancock said a wine which scored gold at the awards would be good enough to score gold in general, unrestricted competition.

``I would have to say this year's selection, across the board, was pretty good.''

About five per cent of the line-up are in line for gold medals at the winners' announcement on September 17.

``About what we'd expect.''

Mr Hancock said while it was too early to see any 2012 reds there were some white varieties and they looked good.

The judges carried out two days of blind tasting to determine the top 50 gold, silver and bronze-award wines which will be showcased online and in a New World Wine Awards booklet.

Jim Harre, chairman of the judging panel, said the results were always eagerly awaited.

``Last year over 250,000 bottles of the top 50 wines, with a retail value in excess of $3.3 million, were sold in the first six weeks of the results being announced, and the champion white sold out within 10 days.''