Second judge in awards controversy

Step forward the real winner of the 2007 Hawke's Bay Wine Awards: Wine judge Rod McDonald, who himself has an interest - the trophy-winning wine, the Vidal 2005 Reserve Syrah, was actually one he had links with.
Last week, Tony Bish, the chief judge at the awards, announced that he had presided over a competition that had given the top prize to his own company.
Mr Bish, winemaker for Sacred Hill, owns the Gunn Estate label that won the Champion Wine trophy with its 2006 Skeetfield Chardonnay. He did the noble thing yesterday and withdrew the wine.
But then the event's organisers announced that the winner wasn't really the winner, and that the competition director had muddled up the scores.
That development meant Gunn Estate 2006 Skeetfield Chardonnay did not win the trophy for the best wine in the show, and Mr Bish should never have been compromised in such a way.
While Mr McDonald no longer works for Vidals, he was the winemaker responsible for the company's 2005 vintage.
Mr McDonald said he was not with Vidal when the award winning wine was blended and made and, therefore, there was no issue, but there's no doubt the embattled awards could have done without further negative publicity.
Mr McDonald has come out strongly in support of the regional awards saying they benefit the Hawke's Bay wine industry, allowing local producers to focus on the characteristics and quality of the wine made here.
The contest allowed winemakers to see how they could improve, and even being part of the judging process was a positive for wine producers.
"We have to assess what is coming out of Hawke's Bay and what we are capable of and the quality. International judges are an important part of the awards but locals must be involved - who else is going to judge?"
Mr McDonald said it was fair that wine shows were under scrutiny, and they "needed to be squeaky clean" but the judging at the Hawke's Bay awards was above board.
"It is difficult to see your wine in a line-up. They are double-blind tested and the bottles are not seen - or even in the same room."
Mr McDonald said wine awards were good for the industry and for consumers and the Hawke's Bay Wine Awards would bounce back.
"It is a good show, it does have integrity. The A and P Society has a long history and integrity in their own right. We just have to manage the situation in a way that allows the show to continue."
Awards organisers should be basking in the glow of a successful event, with entries up and a record turnout to the awards night.