Winners celebrated at the 2020 Mornington Peninsula Wine Show

Image: 2020 Mornington Peninsula Wine Show trophy winners

In a fitting way to wave off 2020, the vignerons of the Mornington Peninsula were celebrating excellence in viticulture and winemaking at the annual Mornington Peninsula Wine Show.

The Show’s committee chairman Lindsay McCall and chair of judges David Bicknell delivered the results and trophies across 13 categories which demonstrated the breadth and depth of winemaking on the Mornington Peninsula at one of the very few wine shows to go ahead this year.

An eighth trophy was introduced to the awards in 2020 with the addition of ‘Best Sparkling Wine’, to parallel the growing reputation the region is securing in the sparkling wine market.

The class attracted a strong set of entries which averaged very high scores from the judging panel.

“An excellent class of sparkling wines traversing a range of styles and ages,” said Bicknell.

“Nice to see such a high strike rate too. The top wine was a lovely demonstration of tirage aged complexity, line and length. A compelling top exhibit.”

Pinot Noir and Chardonnay continue to lead as hero varieties for the region, culminating in the Provenance Awards.

McCall explains, “The Provenance Awards were envisaged as a different way of assessing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, looking at three vintages of a wine in detail, and in the context of consistency of quality, vineyard character, and winemaking style”.

“As the Mornington Peninsula focuses more and more on individual site characteristics and vineyard recognition, these awards allow the judges to explore the subtleties of terroir in a formal wine show format.”

From a judging perspective David added of the Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris/Grigio classes, “Thoroughly enjoyable classes to judge. 2019 was such a strong vintage with many, many good exhibits”.

“Different sizes, styles and ripeness levels were all rewarded.”

With COVID-19 restrictions now easing in Victoria, the industry was thrilled to be able to gather in camaraderie to enjoy the celebration.

Tucks hosted the event seamlessly with Montalto’s celebrated chef, Matt Wilkinson creating a knock-out menu to compliment the four flights of top scoring wines.

Positivity and excitement for the coming months was evident around the tables in and industry which contributes significantly to the region’s economy from an agriculture perspective, has leading environmental sustainability credentials, creates strong tourism stimulation as well as building the reputation of the region through local and international trading.

The Mornington Peninsula is well placed to continue to build its reputation as one of Australia’s finest cool climate wine regions.

Trophy winners included:

• Best Sparkling Wine: 2016 Stonier Chardonnay Pinot Noir
• Best Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris: 2019 Willow Creek Pinot Gris
• Best White Varietal or Blend: 2016 Crittenden Estate Cri de Coeur Savagnin
• Best Chardonnay: 2018 Portsea Estate Back Beach Chardonnay
• Best Red Varietal or Blend: 2019 Montalto Pennon Hill Shiraz
• Best Pinot Noir: 2019 Paringa Estate The Robinson Vineyard Pinot Noir
• Chardonnay Provenance Award: Crittenden Estate The Zuma Chardonnay – 2018, 2017, 2014
• Pinot Noir Provenance Award: Montalto Estate Pinot Noir – 2019, 2015, 2012

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