Media Release - 4 November 2011

Australia’s reputation as a premium wine producer has reached new heights at the 2011 Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Competition.

Australia’s winemakers were the most highly awarded among entrants in Hong Kong’s premier wine competition. Last night’s announcement at the Hong Kong International Wine and Spirits Fair, adds to the impressive story of Australian wine and its growing market presence in Hong Kong and greater China.

Australian wineries won 245 awards. Australia won nine trophies including Best Cabernet (Katnook Odyssey Cabernet Sauvignon 2008), Best Chardonnay (Petaluma Chardonnay 2009), Best Merlot (Willunga Creek Black Duck Merlot 2006) and Best Shiraz/Syrah (Deep Woods Block 7 Shiraz 2009).

Australian wines also won trophies in five categories of food pairing. These included the best wines with; Sashimi (Bird in Hand Sparkling Pinot 2011); Cantonese Dim Sum (Paxton Thomas Block Chardonnay 2009) and; Braised Abalone (Escargot Barbera 2002). The result validates a reputation gained by Australian wines as the perfect complement to a wide variety of foods, including Chinese and Asian cuisines.

Included in the tally of awards were nine gold medals, more than any other country, across varieties including Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet, Shiraz and Riesling.

Australian Consul-General, Mr Paul Tighe, today congratulated the winners saying: “These awards recognise Australia’s commitment to producing world-class wines. They also highlight the distinctive character that Australian wine makers bring to the market through their passion for creating wines of the highest quality.”

The winners also reflect the unique characteristics of Australia’s wine regions which are proving a natural fit for the tastes and consumption preferences of Asian markets.

“Hong Kong is a major market for Australian wine and the high quality of these trophy and gold medal-winning wines also demonstrates this city’s taste for quality,” Mr Tighe said.

Hong Kong and China represent Australia’s third largest wine export market by value. This equates with a total of 70 million bottles of Australian wine sent to these markets in the past 12 months.

More than 50 Australian wineries are represented at this year’s Hong Kong International Wine and Spirits Fair. Hong Kong’s wine lovers will have an opportunity to sample the distinctive tastes of Australian wines when the Fair opens to the general public tomorrow (Saturday, 5 November 2011).

Located at Hall 3F at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, the Australian Pavilion is jointly supported by the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) and the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation (AWBC).

For information on Australian wine, please visit www.wineaustralia.com.