Riesling to the top...

Congratulations to the talented team at Lawson's Dry Hills who last week received the coveted trophy for Top New Zealand Riesling at the 2009 Canberra International Riesling Challenge (CIRC) for their 2008 Marlborough riesling. Having previously won a trophy in the 2008 Canberra Riesling Challenge for their 2006 vintage and gold for their 2007, they are understandably chuffed at the consistency of accolades received from such a prestigious wine competition.
The Canberra show attracts wine riesling entries from all around the world. CIRC chairman Ken Helm AM, says that the event has grown significantly since its inaugural year in 2000. "Last year we had over 550 entries from 10 countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Germany and the US. While this year we also attracted entries from South Africa, Chile and the Czech Republic."
Now in its 11th year, the challenge is the most significant event of its type in the Southern Hemisphere and continues to evolve with innovations in riesling production worldwide. Judging is conducted on a regional basis, which showcases the individual characteristics unique to the wine's location in the world. The wines are first judged by region. Then the gold medal wines go forward to judging by country and the top examples from each country progress to judging for the Best in the World.
The trophy for Best Riesling in the World went to Paulett's Aged Release Polish Hill Riesling 2005 from the Clare Valley, which also took out the Best Dry Riesling, Best Australian Riesling and Best Museum Class Riesling trophies. Clearly, the Paulett's people are no slouches when it comes to creating radically good riesling. Further digging revealed the same wine recently claimed the title of Best Riesling in Australia at the 2010 ACT Government and Qantas Airlines awards, the 2010 Australia Post Award for Best Dry Riesling in the World, and a swag of gold medals and trophies from major shows such as the Sydney International, the Royal Melbourne and London International wine shows. James Halliday, Australia's Gandalf of the grape, even gave the Paulett's Aged Release 2005 96 points in his 2011 Australian Wine Companion, describing it as: "Bright green-gold; perfect lime, toast and spice aromas do not show a scintilla of kerosene, the palate with the same pure equanimity, perfectly balanced as it enters a decade of perfection."
I can't imagine the people at Paulett's were displaying much in the way of equanimity when their latest award from Canberra was announced. In fact, I suspect there was much merriment and frolicking, fist-pumping, "woop woops" and "hell yeahs" over the tea and scones in the staff room. If you're interested in getting your hands on a bottle or 12, it retails for around A$52 ($68) and you can contact their New Zealand distributor, Martin Kitzen, at martin@sanzglobal.co.nz or phone (09) 636 3390.