- Tuesday 25 July 2017
- Written by Chris Earl
Former Australian Winemaker of the Year Sue Bell will lead the judging panel at the 2017 Saint Martin Heathcote Wine Show next month.
Sue, an acclaimed artisan winemaker from the Coonawarra and in-demand judge at wine shows across Australia, has previously been deputy chair of the judging panel at the Heathcote show.
More than 220 wines have been entered for the fifth annual show across classes for the Heathcote wine region’s flagship shiraz variety, exciting new Mediterranean varieties and white wines.
Heathcote Winegrowers’ Association president Gary Harbor said the show had established itself as one of Victoria’s key regional wine shows.
“For the first time this year, the best wine from our show this will go on to the Victorian Wine Show in a new category to promote the top wines from shows conducted in the regions,” he said.
“It’s an added incentive for our members who have entered along with wineries based in other areas sourcing grapes from our region for their Heathcote shiraz releases.”
The major trophy on offer is the Heathcote Grand Terroir judged on a nominated wine of several vintages from the same winery. “The HGT is about consistency of quality winemaking over several vintages, the basis of world-wide success for our wineries across the region over more than a decade,” Gary said.
Judging takes place at the Heathcote RSL Hall on Thursday 3 August with a special exhibitor tasting and presentation of trophies and awards on Friday 4 August.
