IN A repeat of the 2013 results, Grampians based winery Mt Langi Ghiran once again dominated proceedings at the 10th Western Victorian Wine Challenge
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Awards were presented at a gala dinner for the 10th Western Victorian Wine Challenge at the old J Ward prison in Ararat.
An enthusiastic crowd of wine lovers and regional winemakers attended the event with organisers delighted by the extremely high quality of wines judged.
Master of ceremonies, Brett Worthington from Horsham ABC radio, kept the evening rolling along with Mt Langi Ghiran being the winner on the night repeating its 2013 success.
The evening started strongly for the winery with its 2010 Sparkling Blanc de Blanc taking the judges’ best sparkling wine and the consumers’ prize as well. In class two, Great Western stalwart Bests received the judges’ and consumers’ nod with its 2014 Riesling while another local minnow Miners Ridge, received a silver medal for its 2013 Chardonnay in class 3.
The pinot noir class was well represented from across the region but it was Ballarat winery Wightwick and its 2012 Pinot Noir which received the consumers’ prize with no judges’ award given.
The main drawcard of the evening was the hotly contested shiraz class. In total, five gold medals were awarded and as the only Grampians wine represented, Mt Langi Ghiran 2013 Cliff Edge emerged triumphant over four Pyrenees’ shiraz.
This wine was also awarded the judges’ best wine of show, however, Crowlands based winery Dog Rock salvaged some pride for the Pyrenees by taking the consumers’ prize for best shiraz of class and also consumers’ best wine of show with its 2013 Dog Rock Shiraz.
In the Cabernet Sauvignon class, Horsham winery Norton Estate was awarded a silver medal while the other red class found Pyrenees wineries Taltarni and Pyren receiving silver medals.
The consumers selected the Taltarni 2012 Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon blend as their most preferred to round out a special evening.
The strong showing from Mt Langi Ghiran and Bests ensured the Grampians retained the regional shield.
“It was a close call,” said event organiser Allen Hart.
“The judges were split over the two top shiraz and which ever way that went almost certainly sent the regional shield to that group.”
The two top wines from each group will now go on to represent Western Victoria in a similar event in Melbourne on November 15 when James Halliday will be patron of the second Western Victorian versus North East Wine Challenge.
Anyone wishing to be part of the consumer panel or dinner should contact Union Dining on 94282988.
