Best Wine of Show Winner, Craig Stansborough from Purple Hands Wines with sponsor Kim Chalmers. Image AAVWS
After two challenging years, the Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show (AAVWS) welcomed friends from around Australia to celebrate its 21st Birthday.
A line up of judges worked their way through almost 800 wines, representing 115 unique varieties from 211 exhibitors across 63 wine regions resulting in 93 Gold, 118 Silver and 271 Bronze medal winning wines.
The Dr. Rod Bonfiglioli Best Wine of Show, sponsored by Chalmers Wines, went to Purple Hands 2021 After Five Wine Co. Aglianico.
“To have everyone back in alternative varieties’ spiritual home in Australia, Mildura, has been nothing short of magnificent! The wines, the people, the learning and conversations, the sharing of experience, the talk of the future and the reflection on where we have come from, has been food for everyone’s soul,” AAVWS President Corrina Wright said.
With the support of sponsors, stewards, committee and attendees, 2022 was another successful year with sell out events, sharing of ideas, speakers at the Talk & Taste and the virtual involvement of our former International Judges, such as Walter Speller and Alberto Antonini.
“2022 marked the 21st year of judging the AAVWS and in celebration we invited many of our old scholars back to see how far we have come. The machinations of this year’s event was more streamlined than ever with the tasters moving through the brackets with a methodical, confident efficiency,” chief of judges Sophie Otton said.
“The calibre of the wines excelled with a maturity of craft showing in classes such, Nero d’Avola, Aglianico, Grüner Veltliner and Fiano.
“The success of the Show proves after two decades we can say with certainty that this show stands head and shoulders above in its efforts to champion lesser known varieties, and continues to colour and shape the future of the Australian wine scene with aplomb.”
Full Results
The Dr. Rod Bonfiglioli Best Wine of Show
Purple Hands Wines After Five Wine Co Aglianico 2021
Best Red Wine
Purple Hands Wines After Five Wine Co Aglianico 2021
Best White Wine
Linear Wines Grüner Veltliner 2022
Best Red Italian Variety Wine
Purple Hands Wines After Five Wine Co Aglianico2021
Best White Italian Variety Wine
Golden Grove Estate Vermentino 2022
Best Iberian Variety Wine
Peter Lehmann Wines Hill and Valley 2021
Best French Variety Wine
XO Wine Co Gamay 2022
Best of the Rest
Linear Wines Gruner Veltliner 2022
Chief of Judges Wine to Watch
Quealy Winemakers Turbul Friulano 2021
International Judge’s Wine to Watch
No Winner Awarded
Viticulturist Award
Sam Costanzo
Best Blend
Dune El Beyda 2021
Best Museum Wine
Tahbilk “1927 Vines” Marsanne 2015
Best Rosé
Smallwater Estate Roze 2022
Best Sparkling Wine
No Winner Awarded
Stewards Choice Award
Cherubino Ovale Sauvignon Gris 2021
Tony Mangan Memorial Award for Best Organic Wine
Whistling Kite Wines Classic Gros Manseng
Best Murray Darling Region Wine
Gibson Wines Discovery Road Fiano 2022
Best Label Artwork
Ti Amo Fiano 2022
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