The love affair with Pinot Noir continues, after an Aussie Pinot was named the Best Wine of Show and Best Red Wine of Show at the International Cool Climate Wine Show (ICCWS) in Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula.

The show attracted more than 700 wines from the world’s best cool climate regions, but it was the 2017 Dovetail Yarra Valley Pinot Noir from Australia that was awarded the greatest prize in the competition; the trophy for Best Wine of Show.

“Pinot Noir is a delicate grape, so making a great pinot is the perfect example of compromise between Mother Nature, viticulturist and winemaker,” said winemaker Richard Quodling.

Pinot Noir is a thin-skinned grape that grows best in cool climates, and it is (in)famously more difficult to grow than most red varieties.

“Because it is so delicate, you are going to get a truly unique wine every vintage,” added Quodling.

“The 2017 vintage in Yarra Valley was a classic, cool season with slow and mild growing. Pinot ripened at an unhurried pace, allowing for wines to be made with great structure, length and focus.”

The International Cool Climate Wine Show was established in 2000 and is held every year. It is recognised as one of Australia’s foremost shows for inspirational cool climate wines.

“The International Cool Climate Wine Show is one of the most regarded wine shows for Pinot Noir, so this win says a lot about this wine,” said Christine Ricketts, cellar director at Cellarmasters.

“Layered with bright raspberry and cherry fruit and subtle integrated oak, this wine will add a special touch to any occasion.”

The Yarra Valley’s cool climate and long, slow ripening period produces wines with delicate aromas and complex flavours, making it one of the top regions in Australia to produce premium Pinot Noir.

The fruit for the winning wine comes from a single specific vineyard in the region, tucked away in the hills.

“Pinot Noir is very in vogue at the moment, and getting increasingly popular among Aussie wine lovers. It’s the red wine that’s growing fastest in popularity at the moment,” said Ricketts.

Each year, the ICCWS attracts hundreds of wines from around the world, in 25 competition classes, including sparkling wines, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Pinot Noir and Shiraz.

The wines are judged by highly credentialed and experienced judges.

The show offers a platform to highlight the benchmark wine styles grown in premium cool climate regions across Australia and internationally.

Black Wattle Icon Chardonnay Mt Benson 2016 and Avon Brae Eden Valley Shiraz 2016 were awarded Top Golds, while The Ridge Terra Rossa Coonawarra Riesling 2017 and Avon Brae Eden Valley Moculta Shiraz 2017 were awarded Golds. These wines are all exclusive to Cellarmasters.

For more information about the ICCWS, head here: https://www.internationalcoolclimatewineshow.com/