THE outstanding quality of wine produced in the Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands resulted in nearly half the wines entered in the South Coast Wine Show being awarded medals on Friday night.
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The 19 wineries taking part in the competition entered 107 wines for the experienced judging panel, with 50 medals awarded.
They included four gold medals, 19 silver and 27 bronze medals.
Taking top marks were Coolangatta Estate Semillons from 2005, 2006 and 2008, along with a Tertini Wines 2012 Riesling.
The Tertini entry that has not yet been released to the public headed a strong selection of Rieslings.
The competition’s chief judge, David Morris, said Semillons were traditionally strong at the wine show, but this year the Rieslings took over as the class of the show.
In addition there was no real weak point of the show, Mr Morris said.
“All the wines were good, sound, commercial quality,” he said.
Coolangatta Estate was awarded the wine of the show and named the show’s most successful exhibitor, with the three gold medals adding to six silver and seven bronze.
Tertini Wines added four silver and a bronze to its gold medal, while Centennial Vineyards secured three silver medals and four bronzes.
Two Figs Winery was given two silvers and a bronze, while one silver medal each was awarded to Bendooley Estate, Cherry Tree Hill Wines, Cupitt's Winery and Bawley Vale Estate.
The Bawley Vale Estate medal was a major coup for new owners Maurie and Jeiji Abbott, who won silver for their Chardonnay ion what was their first show.
“We put it in just to see how these things work,” Mr Abbott said.
Bronze medals were also awarded to Cherry Tree Hill Wines (five) Fern Gully Winery (three) Cupitt's Winery (two) and one each to Bendooley Estate, Morrellis Wines, Roselea Vineyard and Sallys Corner Wines.
The results had many wineries cheering, with Cupitt’s celebrating winning the biggest class of the competition, the Chardonnay section, while securing a silver medal.
The wines were assessed by three judges on Thursday, with the winners announced at the Mollymook Golf Club on Friday evening before a packed room full of winemakers and wine fanciers, who were able to discuss the different characteristics and qualities of the entrants.