17 October 2022
Media Release: Sip, sip, hooray!
Local wineries toast multiple wins as 20###sup
One of the most anticipated wine lists of the year is finally here, with today’s announcement of the 2022 New World Wine Awards Top 50 wines under $25.
The list reveals the best-of-the-best from the 20###sup
These wines are now available at New World stores nationwide*, but for wine-drinkers who still aren’t sure where to start, New World Wine Awards Co-Chair of Judges Sam Kim says this year’s Top 50 list is a particularly handy guide.
“The New World Wine Awards is all about taking the guesswork out of choosing a great wine at a great price, and this year’s Top 50 is especially helpful because it includes so many repeat winners from over the competition’s 20-year history.
“These are multi-winning wines and wineries that have made the grade time and again, proving their excellence year after year, bottle after bottle.
“Their achievements are great news for wine-drinkers who are on the lookout for quality and consistency at an affordable price, and well worth a toast.”
Giesen Estate Riesling crowned with Gold again
A win for the Giesen Estate Riesling 2021 has brought this wine’s Gold-medal tally to seven and cemented it’s claim as the winningest wine in the New World Wine Awards so far**.
The Giesen team are well known in New Zealand and around the world for their expertise in Riesling, which they’ve been making for 34 years using Waipara and Marlborough-grown grapes.
Chief Winemaker Duncan Shouler says it’s fantastic to have another Gold-medal in the trophy cabinet for what his team refers to as ‘New Zealand’s favourite Riesling’. “We work hard each year to get every aspect of this wine just right. It’s balanced, juicy and versatile, and we hope this win will inspire more wine-lovers to give Riesling a go alongside their next summer platter or barbeque.”
Savvy Sauvignon, brilliant bubbles and more…
This year Rapaura Springs Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2022 and Wairau River Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2022 have returned to the list for the fifth time, with Rapaura Springs also taking the Champion Sauvignon title for the second time.
Despite being accustomed to the winner’s circle, Rapaura Spring winemaker Michael Bann says this year’s recognition is particularly appreciated by him and his team after a challenging vintage. “It was one of those years that put our skills to the test and it's great to see our picking decisions and hard work pay off once again.”
Chardonnay devotees don’t need to worry either. Chardonnay sages at Church Road have taken the Champion Chardonnay and White Wine of the Show titles with their Church Road McDonald Series Hawke's Bay Chardonnay 2021, headlining a six-strong range of options from Hawke’s Bay, Gisborne and Marlborough.
Also returning to the Top 50 as a Champion is the Lindauer Vintage Series Brut Cuvée 2017, a “seriously good” drop according to Kim, and incredible value at under $20 for a bottle-fermented Kiwi bubbly that could easily rival your favourite French Champagne.
It’s flanked by the always-dependable drop, Verde Brut, and returning star, the Graham Norton Prosecco DOC -- a trendsetting collab between Waikato based Invivo Wines and the comedian and television personality of red chair fame.
In reds, boutique wine company SOHO Wines is celebrating a momentous third year in the Top 50 with their SOHO Bobby Marlborough Pinot Noir 2021 taking out Champion Pinot Noir and Champion Red Wine of the Show.
Founder Rachael Carter says: “We are truly passionate about the wine we make and we’re so excited to earn two Champion titles for our Pinot Noir, and to see ‘Bobby’ get front and centre with thousands of supermarket shoppers.”
Winningest wineries spotlight for quality, consistency and trying new things
Scanning across the winners list, several wineries will be well known names, standing out for their multiple Top 50 placings over the years.
Villa Maria boasts an impressive haul of 38 Gold medals in these awards since 2008, Saint Clair Family Estate is hot on their heels with 21, and Mount Riley comes third with 19. Better still, all have two delicious signature variety wines in the Top 50 in 2022.
For those with more adventurous tastes, Kim says there is plenty new to explore, too.
“For every classic on the list this year, there is also something new and different to try.
“The Mount Riley Marlborough Albariño 2022 offers wine-lovers a totally new taste from this recognised brand, with a new white wine variety that is just starting to take hold in New Zealand vineyards and Kiwi wine palates.
“Rosé fans can choose from both New Zealand and French winning wines this year, and if you want a real adventure there are red wines from all around the world including Tempranillo, Malbec, Garnacha, and Sangiovese.”
The Top 50 list is attached with this release and the full results are available here.
*Liquor selling stores. **Based on results between 2008-2022. Detailed records are not available for prior years.
ENDS
#newworldwineawards #newworldnz
For more information, images and interviews:
Megan Green, megan@nwkcom.co.nz, 027 221 7126
Lucy Boddy, lucy@nwkcom.co.nz, 0275 184 214
2022 New World Wine Awards Top 50 – all under $25
| Wine name and vintage | Variety | Origin | Score | Champions |
| Anchorage Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2022 | Sauvignon Blanc | Nelson | 95 | |
| Arrogant Frog Ribet Pink Rosé 2021 | Rosé | France | 95 | |
| Brancott Estate Letter Series O Marlborough Chardonnay 2021 | Chardonnay | Marlborough | 95 | |
| Castillo Ducay Cariñena 2020 | Red Blends | Spain | 95 | |
| Church Road McDonald Series Hawke's Bay Chardonnay 2021 | Chardonnay | Hawke's Bay | 96 | Champion Chardonnay & Champion White Wine of the Show |
| Esk Valley Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022 | Sauvignon Blanc | Marlborough | 95 | |
| Gancia Prosecco Rosé DOC 2020 | Bubbles | Italy | 95 | |
| Giesen Estate Riesling 2021 | Aromatics | New Zealand | 95 | |
| Graham Norton Prosecco DOC | Bubbles | Italy | 95 | |
| Grande Cuvée 1531 de Aimery Brut Rosé | Bubbles | France | 95 | |
| Grant Burge Fifth Generation Cabernet Merlot 2021 | Red Blends | Australia | 95 | Champion Red Blend |
| Jacobs Creek Double Barrel Shiraz Cabernet 2019 | Red Blends | Australia | 95 | |
| La Vieille Ferme Rosé 2021 | Rosé | France | 95 | |
| Leftfield Hawkes Bay Pinot Gris 2022 | Pinot Gris | Hawke's Bay | 95 | |
| Lindauer Vintage Series Brut Cuvée 2017 | Bubbles | Gisborne | 96 | Champion Bubbles |
| Main Divide North Canterbury Gewürztraminer 2020 | Aromatics | North Canterbury | 95 | |
| Mount Riley Marlborough Albariño 2022 | Aromatics | Marlborough | 96 | Champion Aromatic |
| Mount Riley Marlborough Pinot Noir 2021 | Pinot Noir | Marlborough | 95 | |
| Mud House Single Vineyard Home Block Waipara Valley Pinot Gris 2021 | Pinot Gris | North Canterbury | 95 | |
| Mud House Waipara Valley Riesling 2022 | Aromatics | North Canterbury | 95 | |
| Pepperjack Barossa Shiraz 2020 | Shiraz & Syrah | Australia | 95 | Champion Shiraz & Syrah |
| Rapaura Springs Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2022 | Sauvignon Blanc | Marlborough | 96 | Champion Sauvignon Blanc |
| Roaring Meg Central Otago Pinot Noir Rosé 2022 | Rosé | Central Otago | 95 | |
| RUA Pinot Noir 2021 | Pinot Noir | Central Otago | 95 | |
| Russian Jack Marlborough Pinot Gris 2022 | Pinot Gris | Marlborough | 96 | Champion Pinot Gris |
| Sacred Hill Hawke's Bay Rosé 2022 | Rosé | Hawke's Bay | 95 | |
| Sacred Hill Reserve Hawke's Bay Chardonnay 2020 | Chardonnay | Hawke's Bay | 95 | |
| Saint Clair James Sinclair Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2021 | Shiraz & Syrah | Hawke's Bay | 95 | |
| Saint Clair Origin Marlborough Pinot Gris 2021 | Pinot Gris | Marlborough | 95 | |
| Selaks Taste Collection Hawke's Bay Rosé 2022 | Rosé | Hawke's Bay | 96 | Champion Rosé |
| SOHO Bobby Marlborough Pinot Noir 2021 | Pinot Noir | Marlborough | 96 | Champion Pinot Noir & Champion Red Wine of the Show |
| SOHO Ziggy Marlborough Pinot Gris 2022 | Pinot Gris | Marlborough | 95 | |
| Squawking Magpie First Flight Chardonnay 2020 | Chardonnay | Hawke's Bay | 95 | |
| Stoneleigh Rapaura Marlborough Chardonnay 2021 | Chardonnay | Marlborough | 95 | |
| Sugar Loaf Southern Valleys Marlborough Pinot Noir 2020 | Pinot Noir | Marlborough | 95 | |
| Taylors Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 | Single Variety Reds | Australia | 95 | |
| The Last Shepherd Gisborne Chardonnay 2021 | Chardonnay | Gisborne | 95 | |
| Thornbury Hawkes Bay Rosé 2022 | Rosé | Hawke's Bay | 95 | |
| Tohu Awatere Valley Marlborough Pinot Noir 2019 | Pinot Noir | Marlborough | 95 | |
| Trapiche Oak Cask Malbec 2021 | Single Variety Reds | Argentina | 95 | |
| Vavasour Awatere Valley Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022 | Sauvignon Blanc | Marlborough | 95 | |
| Verde Brut | Bubbles | Gisborne | 95 | |
| Vigneti Romio Romagna DOC Sangiovese Superiore Riserva 2018 | Red Blends | Italy | 95 | |
| Villa Maria Private Bin East Coast Pinot Gris 2022 | Pinot Gris | Other / Regional Blend | 95 | |
| Villa Maria Private Bin Hawkes Bay Merlot 2021 | Single Variety Reds | Hawke's Bay | 95 | |
| Vina Borgia by Borsao Organic Garnacha 2020 | Single Variety Reds | Spain | 95 | |
| Wairau River Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022 | Sauvignon Blanc | Marlborough | 95 | |
| Wild Grace Hawke's Bay Syrah 2021 | Shiraz & Syrah | Hawke's Bay | 95 | |
| Yalumba Y Series Tempranillo 2021 | Single Variety Reds | Australia | 96 | Champion Single Variety Red |
| Yealands Reserve Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022 | Sauvignon Blanc | Marlborough | 95 |