14 Nov 2012

Wine awards

1:08 pm on 14 November 2012

Ninety seven gold medals were handed out at this year's Air New Zealand Wine Awards.

For the fifth year running, Pinot Noir wines received the highest gold medal tally, 21, followed by Sauvignon Blanc with 17 golds and Chardonnay with 15.

New Zealand's largest wine producing region, Marlborough, racked up more than 330 medals, including 46 golds.

More than 1360 wines were entered in this year's competition.

Judging chair Michael Brajkovich said the standard of entrieswas as high as it has ever been with a good line-up of medals across all classes.

Elite gold medal and trophy winners will be announced at an awards dinner on 24th November in Wellington.