Nelson aromatic wines have beaten the best from Italy and the United States in an international competition coinciding with Rugby World Cup events in Nelson.
Judges from these three countries, as well as Australia, blind-tasted 45 wines - riesling, pinot gris and gewurtztraminer and then selected their favourite 15 wines.
New Zealand took the overall award, with seven wines in the 'first 15'. Italy had six and the United States two.
The best riesling was judged Blackenbrook Vineyard Nelson 2009, the best pinot gris was an American wine, and an Italian wine won best gewurtztraminer.
The competition was organised as a countdown to a Rugby World Cup pool game in Nelson on Tuesday night between Italy and the United States.
