Discover the finest wines of the New World
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SOUTH AFRICA
AUSTRALIA
USA
NEW ZEALAND
CANADA
Canadian wine has been produced for over 200 years. In 1866, the first commercial winery opened in Canada, situated on Pelee Island in Ontario. British Columbia and Ontario are the two largest wine-producing provinces in Canada, with two-thirds of the Canada's vineyard acreage situated in Ontario. Canada is the world's leading icewine producer, with more icewine produced in Canada than all other countries combined. More than 90 per cent of Canadian icewine originates from Ontario. In recent years, Canadian Rieslings, Cabernet Francs and Sparkling wines have shone on the global stage and the future shows real potential for cool climate Syrah.
Wine has been made in The States for around 400 years and is produced in every state of America. In 1779 the first grapes were planted in California, and in 1833 the first documented european vines were planted in Los Angeles. The U.S. is now the world's fourth-biggest wine-producing nation. California accounts for around 85 percent of national output followed by Washington, Oregon, New York & Virginia. Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay & Pinot Noir are the most widely planted varieties and in recent times a strong interest in red blends and rhone style reds and whites is emerging with world class examples coming out of Washington State.
The winemaking traditions of South Africa represent a hybridisation of Old & New World wine making with 360 years of rich winemaking history and counting. The 2nd of February 1659 marked the countries first ever vintage. Most classic varieties thrive in the climate with Chenin Blanc & Cabernet Sauvignon being the most widely planted. With a range of climatic conditions similar to Napa Valley, Tuscany, Margaret River, Burgundy & Piedmont combined with a multitude of soil types and mountainous landscapes, South Africa represents some of the best kept secrets of the wine world.
Australia has rapidly become a world leader in both the quantity and quality of wines it produces. Wine is produced in every state, with more than 65 designated wine regions. Vine cuttings from South Africa arrived in 1788 on the First Fleet but the first domestically made wines were only commercially available in the 1820s. Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Semillon, Pinot Noir, Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc all thrive amongst the 130 other commercially planted varieties. Australian wine-makers are considered an important resource in the globalisation of wine and wine critic Matt Kramer notes that "the most powerful influence in wine today" comes from Australia.
As an island country in the South Pacific, New Zealand wine traces its history to the early 19th century when French Marist missionaries established a vineyard in Hawke's Bay for making Communion wine. Now part of the Mission Estate Winery, this is the oldest commercial vineyard in New Zealand dating back to 1851. The country is best known for its Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, first produced in 1979. Approximately two-thirds of the national vineyard is dedicated to the variety. More recently its cool-climate, concentrated Pinot Noirs & Chardonnays from Marlborough, Martinborough and Central Otago are capturing audiences around the world.
ย Discover the finest wines of the world
Canadian wine has been produced for over 200 years. In 1866, the first commercial winery opened in Canada, situated on Pelee Island in Ontario. British Columbia and Ontario are the two largest wine-producing provinces in Canada, with two-thirds of the Canada's vineyard acreage situated in Ontario. Canada is the world's leading icewine producer, with more icewine produced in Canada than all other countries combined. More than 90 per cent of Canadian icewine originates from Ontario. In recent years, Canadian Rieslings, Cabernet Francs and Sparkling wines have shone on the global stage and the future shows real potential for cool climate Syrah.
Wine has been made in The States for around 400 years and is produced in every state of America. In 1779 the first grapes were planted in California, and in 1833 the first documented european vines were planted in Los Angeles. The U.S. is now the world's fourth-biggest wine-producing nation. California accounts for around 85 percent of national output followed by Washington, Oregon, New York & Virginia. Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay & Pinot Noir are the most widely planted varieties and in recent times a strong interest in red blends and rhone style reds and whites is emerging with world class examples coming out of Washington State.
The winemaking traditions of South Africa represent a hybridisation of Old & New World wine making with 360 years of rich winemaking history and counting. The 2nd of February 1659 marked the countries first ever vintage. Most classic varieties thrive in the climate with Chenin Blanc & Cabernet Sauvignon being the most widely planted. With a range of climatic conditions similar to Napa Valley, Tuscany, Margaret River, Burgundy & Piedmont combined with a multitude of soil types and mountainous landscapes, South Africa represents some of the best kept secrets of the wine world.
Australia has rapidly become a world leader in both the quantity and quality of wines it produces. Wine is produced in every state, with more than 65 designated wine regions. Vine cuttings from South Africa arrived in 1788 on the First Fleet but the first domestically made wines were only commercially available in the 1820s. Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Semillon, Pinot Noir, Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc all thrive amongst the 130 other commercially planted varieties. Australian wine-makers are considered an important resource in the globalisation of wine and wine critic Matt Kramer notes that "the most powerful influence in wine today" comes from Australia.
As an island country in the South Pacific, New Zealand wine traces its history to the early 19th century when French Marist missionaries established a vineyard in Hawke's Bay for making Communion wine. Now part of the Mission Estate Winery, this is the oldest commercial vineyard in New Zealand dating back to 1851. The country is best known for its Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, first produced in 1979. Approximately two-thirds of the national vineyard is dedicated to the variety. More recently its cool-climate, concentrated Pinot Noirs & Chardonnays from Marlborough, Martinborough and Central Otago are capturing audiences around the world.
Click on a country to discover more
“All trophy and medal-winning wines are virtually self-endorsing. The producers who find themselves going home empty handed can console themselves with the knowledge that it is almost sufficient simply to have been selected to competed in the Olympics. An award is gratifying, the achievement is simply to have been there.”
Michael Fridjhon
South African Judge
“It is a humbling experience to be involved in this competition โ both as a judge and as a selector. Nothing can be taken for granted. A selection which has already won mountains of accolades in its own country cannot be assumed a certain award-winner here. While there is a remarkable degree of agreement among the judges, their disparate backgrounds conspire against unanimity of opinion.”
Huon Hooke
Australian Judge
“The calibre of participants and the standard of wine quality is higher than any competition of this size anywhere in the world. The competition celebrates both uniformity, with the common language of wine assessment shared by our judges, and diversity as we compare and contrast some of the finest New World wines from many regions and grape varieties.”
Bob Campbell MW
New Zealand Judge
“All trophy and medal-winning wines are virtually self-endorsing. The producers who find themselves going home empty handed can console themselves with the knowledge that it is almost sufficient simply to have been selected to competed in the Olympics. An award is gratifying, the achievement is simply to have been there.”
Michael Fridjhon
South African Judge
“It is a humbling experience to be involved in this competition โ both as a judge and as a selector. Nothing can be taken for granted. A selection which has already won mountains of accolades in its own country cannot be assumed a certain award-winner here. While there is a remarkable degree of agreement among the judges, their disparate backgrounds conspire against unanimity of opinion.”
Huon Hooke
Australian Judge
“The calibre of participants and the standard of wine quality is higher than any competition of this size anywhere in the world. The competition celebrates both uniformity, with the common language of wine assessment shared by our judges, and diversity as we compare and contrast some of the finest New World wines from many regions and grape varieties.”
Bob Campbell MW
New Zealand Judge
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