Top 50 announced for Aussie YGOW

Image: Andrew Scott – La Petite Mort on the Granite Belt, Queensland

Young Gun of Wine (YGOW), the industry’s authority on the best young wine labels and winemakers in the country, has announced the Top 50 winemakers of 2020 – with over half named for the very first time.

The Top 50 includes 17 winemakers from Victoria, 14 from South Australia, 6 from New South Wales/ACT, 6 from Western Australia, 6 from Tasmania and 1 from Queensland with the YGOW winner being announced on June 1.

The mix of winemakers showcases the adventure and artistry in winegrowing from Australia right now. There are unique stories throughout each of the 50, such as:

Michael Sexton from Main & Cherry in the Adelaide Hills – in the Top 50 for the first time:

To help with his small-scale operation, Sexton eschews chemicals in the vineyard and opts for Indian Runner ducks to do the work of pest control for his vines.

James Broinowski from Tasmania, another newcomer, was able to start his label, Small Island Wines, after a successful crowdfunding venture led to him buying a batch of Pinot Noir grapes – a sure-fire lesson in persistence.
Back again in the mix is Andrew Scott from La Petite Mort, the only Queenslander. Scott uses ‘amphoras’ – an ancient type of fermentation vessel made of terracotta.
There’s a Moscato from Victoria made with beer hops added by one winemaker, whilst another has infused Chenin Blanc from Western Australia with pine resin.
Top 50 finalists also include wineries from recently fire affected areas such as Adelaide Hills, Kangaroo Island, Orange, Hunter Valley, Canberra and Beechworth.

Young Gun of Wine founder Rory Kent summed up this year’s Top 50, saying, “In an age where tribes have formed within the wine scene, the beauty of the Young Gun of Wine Awards is that it brings together a disparate group”.

“The wines made by the Top 50 winemakers represent all corners, from experimental and natural wines to refined versions of the classics, whether still, sparkling, fortified or even infused, and from Tasmania to Western Australia to Queensland, and everywhere in between.

“They’re wines that are a reflection of winemakers that push the boundaries of capabilities and ideas.”

“The 2020 list represents a truly diverse collection of the best and latest in Australia right now, and the coming virtual events are an opportunity for wine lovers anywhere to connect with one another and gain some further understanding of the making behind the wines,” continued Kent.

The 2020 YGOW awards panel tasted around 250 wines over two days at Howard Smith Wharves to come together with the final Top 50 list.

Chef David Moyle said of his experience as a panellist, “There was hearty debate, I changed my mind a few times”.

“Due time and focus was given to such a diverse range of Australia’s finest young winemakers and there were some great things. From classic and restrained to expressive and polarising, it was such a treat to taste and discuss in a room full of champions. Great times for Australian wine in the hands of the future.”

Along with Moyle, the panel included a host of Australia’s most respected wine critics, food journalists and sommeliers, including:

Rory Kent (founder of YGOW);
Charlotte Hardy (Charlotte Dalton Wines);
Damon Koerner (Koerner Wine, the 2019 YGOW);
Ian Trinkle (Howard Smith Wharves group sommelier);
Jane Lopes (Attica wine director & Good Food Magazine contributor);
Jessica Ho (Time Out Melbourne food editor);
Katie Spain (wine contributor to The Advertiser, Gourmet Traveller, WBM);
Louella Mathews (Bibo Wine Bar);
Max Veenhuyzen (food and wine contributor to Broadsheet; Gourmet Traveller);
Nick Stock (wine critic);
Pip Anderson (sommelier, MONA);
Penny Grant (Ghanem Group sommelier – Blackbird Bar & Grill, Donna Chang, et al);
Tony Harper (food & wine reviewer at The Courier Mail, and owner of Craft Wine Store); and
Samantha Teague (Concrete Playground deputy editor).