Australian wines were a big winner at the China Wine and Spirits Best Value Awards.
Seven Australian wineries stood out from the rest and took home double golds and Wine of the Year Trophy for their region:
- d'Arenberg’s The Coppermine Road
- The Colonial Estate’s Exile Shiraz
- Wyndham Estate’s George Wyndham Founders Reserve Cabernet Merlot
- Brands Laira’s Stentiford's Shiraz
- Morris Wines’s Morris Old Premium Rare Liqueur Topaque
- Taylors Wines’ Taylors Merlot
- Wolf Blass’ Grey Label McLaren Vale Shiraz.
Taylors Wines in particular has shone at the awards, taking home the trophy for Clare Valley Wine of the Year for its 2014 Taylors Estate Merlot, alongside five Double Gold medals and five Gold medals.
This is the second year in a row Taylors has taken home a trophy at the China Wine and Spirits Best Value Awards, winning Australian Wine of the Year for its 2010 Promised Land Shiraz Cabernet in 2014. This week’s wins will join the trophies won at the show’s sister competition the China Wine and Spirits Awards including: in 2014 Clare Valley Wine of the Year for 2010 Taylors Winemaker’s Project Barrel Selection Clare Valley Shiraz, in 2013 Australian Wine Producer of the Year.
Taylors Wines third generation managing director Mitchell Taylor said this was an auspicious win being the first for the winery in China since the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was signed between Australia and the Asian giant in late 2014, and of course with the nation celebrating Chinese New Year this week.
“Taylors Wines are excited and optimistic about our future in the Chinese market. The success at such a prestigious show across a real breadth of our wines selected by a panel of judges that knows the end consumer and buyer so well, is a complement to our team,” Taylor said.
The FTA between Australia and China sees a lift on the 14 per cent tariff on Australian bottled wine, putting Aussie wine on equal footing with that of New Zealand and Chile who have already benefited from FTAs. China is Australia’s biggest export market by value for wine valued at wholesale price point of more than $7.50, and third largest overall by value after the United States and United Kingdom.
The China Wine and Spirits Awards attracts judges from all major purchasing decision makers in the growing Chinese market including wine importers, distributors, wholesalers, restaurant group owners and sommeliers based in China. More than 5,600 wine brands entered the 2015 China Wine and Spirits Best Value Awards.
Taylors Wines award winning wines at the 2015 China Wine and Spirits Best Value Awards:
For the full list of winners, click here.