Canberra and Region Wine Show kicks off this week. Photo: Thomas Lucraft.
Canberra and Region Wine Show judging has commenced, with some of the district’s very best wines vying for awards and trophies.
Wines produced across the Canberra District, Tumbarumba, Gundagai, Hilltops, the Southern Highlands and the Shoalhaven Coast qualify for judging.
The head of the 10-person judging panel is Shanteh Wale, a well-regarded sommelier, podcaster and wine writer.
“Canberra District winemakers have really copped it in recent years, but there’s a lovely collegiate nature that has helped them weather the storm,” she said.
“Because it’s a relatively small area, winemakers talk a lot more, taste each other’s wine, come together and have each other’s back. This one-for-all mentality, as well as the strong viticultural decisions made during these challenging vintages, has bumped up the quality of wine coming out of the region despite the issues they’ve faced.”
Wines are judged blind across the panel of ten judges over several days. Photo: Thomas Lucraft.
Wines will be judged across a range of categories based on the style and provenance of the wines. Gold medal winners in the varietal categories will also be eligible to win trophies.
This year there were 272 entries (slightly down on last year), and all of these wines will be available for a public tasting following the announcement of the winning entries.
The awards are run and delivered by the Royal National Capital Agricultural Society, headed by CEO Adelina La Vita.
“The Tasting Experience is a rare opportunity to try the very best of the region’s wines all under one roof,” said Ms La Vita.
“Whether you love the traditional favourites such as Riesling and Shiraz or want to try some of the newer styles that showcase the skills and adaptability of our local winemakers, the choice is yours. And all the winners – announced just minutes before the public tasting begins – will be opened too. For just $50 a person, it’s great value for money.”
Taste your way through some of the region’s best wines at the tasting experience after the judges have announced the winners. Photo: Thomas Lucraft.
The panel assesses the wines across a series of blind tastings over three days, applying a 100-point scoring system.
The winners will be announced on Friday evening at Exhibition Park.
Wines who receive a medal at the Canberra and Region Wine Show are eligible for entry to the prestigious National Wine Show, which will be judged in early 2025.
The Canberra and Region Wine Show Tasting Experience will be held from 6 pm to 8 pm on Friday, 8 November, at Exhibition Park in Canberra. Limited tickets are available from Eventbrite.
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