MEDIA RELEASE
4 SEPTEMBER 2018
ENTRIES LOCKED IN FOR 2018 LIMESTONE COAST WINE SHOW
A total of 499 of the region’s favourite wines have been entered in next month’s 2018 Limestone Coast Wine Show (LCWS), representing 77 producers from all seven Limestone Coast sub-regions. Entries have now closed for the October 23-26 event, with the two-year-old cabernet class again attracting the largest number of nominations. The LCWS committee’s Sarah Pidgeon says the response reflects excellent recent vintages.
“Cabernet is certainly the hero variety for this part of the world, and it’s pleasing to see such strong support again for the 2018 event, with 76 wines vying for this class,” she says.
The wine show has also received strong shiraz entries, while pinot gris is the fastest-growing category, reflecting a varietal shift in the region towards this trending wine.
“It’s starting to rival the more classic sauvignon blancs and rieslings that are doing well, although it still has some way to go to match solid chardonnay entry figures,” Sarah says.
Judging will take place at the Coonawarra Hall, with 10 judges overseeing the event rather than the traditional six. New chief of judges, acclaimed Tasmania-based winemaker and consultant Samantha Connew, will lead three distinguished panels of critics including high-profile wine communicator Jeni Port and New Zealand-based wine judge and author Sam Kim. In a first for the 18-year-old event, a local Limestone Coast-based judge will also join each panel this year, with winemakers Sue Hodder (Wynns Coonawarra Estate), Anna Hooper (Cape Jaffa Wines) and Luke Tocaciu (Patrick of Coonawarra) adding their broad expertise to the event.
Trophy winners will be announced on Thursday 25th October at the Naracoorte Town Hall, which is being hosted by the Wrattonbully Wine Region. Co-ordinator Susie Harris says a limited number of tickets are still available for the event, with local caterers St Bee’s creating an unforgettable menu with matched trophy and medal-winning wines from Wrattonbully.
“It’s going to be a fabulous evening that pays homage to the ancient coastline and geology that gives rise to Wrattonbully’s unique and award-winning wine styles,” Susie explains.
Wolf Blass viticulturist Martin Wirper, the 2017 Arthur Hoffmann Trophy-winner, will be a guest speaker at the dinner, sharing details of his recent study tour abroad. Tickets are available at limestonecoastwine.com.au
For further information, please contact Sarah Pidgeon on 0412 825 149.
Key dates:
Judging 23-24 October at the Coonawarra Hall
Trophy dinner 25th October at Naracoorte Town Hall
Exhibitors & Public Tasting Friday 26th October at Coonawarra Hall 9am-1:00pm