MEDIA RELEASE
1st AUGUST 2016
Entries open for new-look Limestone Coast Wine Show
A brand new trophy and additional awards and medals will be up for grabs at South Australia’s Limestone Coast Wine Show, with entries now open for the 16th annual event. The introduction of a Wine of Provenance Trophy is among the significant changes in store for the October show, providing a platform for exhibitors to enter three vintages of the same wine. Wine Show Committee member, Sarah Pidgeon, says the new Provenance Trophy will enable local wine regions to showcase their most famed characteristic. “This area is known for the remarkable ageability of our wines, which makes them both unique and world class, and they can now be formally judged for consistency, excellence of style, and pedigree,” she explains.
The introduction of the Provenance Trophy was recommended by the show’s Chief of Judges, respected Australian wine journalist, Jane Faulkner. “A Provenance class is more than a snapshot; it’s almost a historical take on a region, and I’m really excited about this trophy because if there is one region that will be able to showcase provenance, it’s certainly the Limestone Coast,” Jane explains. “Winemakers will tell you that the ageability of a wine is the holy grail, so to be able to look at wines from when they are young to middle-aged and older and to judge them alongside one another is very exciting, and we’re not just looking forward to seeing the cabernet sauvignon and shiraz but also other varieties like chardonnay and riesling.”
Jane Faulkner will also be handing out a new ‘Chief of Judges Wine to Watch’ Award at this year’s event, and has been working closely with the Committee to review and improve the class structure of the show by grouping wine varieties and styles across vintages. “By tweaking the class structures, we hope to make it fairer for both the exhibitors and the judges as there are a lot of wines to see,” Jane explains.
“We’re also anticipating that the revamped class structure will encourage entries into different categories this year, so we’re really advising exhibitors from each of the seven regions from within the Limestone Coast Wine Zone to visit our website and review the new-look catalogue,” Sarah Pidgeon adds.
There are now 13 trophies and three awards on offer at this year’s show, with leading New Zealand wine educator and writer, Jane Skilton MW, confirmed as this year’s guest International Judge.
“Jane is a regular senior judge at the Royal Easter Wine Show, the NZ International Wine Show, Spiegelau International Wine Competition and the Hawkes Bay Wine Awards, and she has also judged in London, Tokyo, Brisbane, Rutherglen and Shanghai, so we are thrilled to have her on board,” Sarah says.
Last year’s wine show produced a record haul of 61 gold medals, 72 silver and 147 bronze medals, and judging for the 2016 event will again take place at the Coonawarra Hall (October 24-27). Producers have until Friday 19th August to nominate their top drops, and the Robe and Mount Benson wine regions will host the trophy presentation dinner on the Robe foreshore on the 27th October, 2016.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Entries open Monday 1st August
Entries close Fri 19th August
Judging 24-27th October at the Coonawarra Hall
Trophy dinner 27th October on Robe Foreshore
Exhibitors & Public Tasting Friday 28th October at Coonawarra Hall 9am-1:30pm
For images from the 2015 event (by photographer Marcus Jones) please click here. For further information, please contact Sarah Pidgeon, LCWS Committee, on Mob. 0412 825 149 or visit limestonecoastwine.com.au