Thistle Hill Vineyard’s 2009 Riesling has been awarded as the Best Wine in Australia and New Zealand at this year’s highly competitive Australia/ New Zealand Organic Wine Show.
In addition to being judged as the stand-out wine, the 2009 Thistle Hill Riesling was also awarded the trophy for the Best White Wine, with the panel judges including wine critic Max Allen saying the Riesling was the best of more than 146 wines entered into the competition from all over Australia and New Zealand, over 16 classes.
Pioneering Mudgee organic vineyard and winery, Thistle Hill, has been organic since its inception in 1976, and is certified organic through National Association of Sustainable Agriculture, Australia (NASAA). The 2009 Riesling win follows on from 2008 Riesling winning a silver award in last year’s organic wine awards.
Thistle Hill winemaker Michael Slater said the wine bucked a trend in wine competitions for a white wine to win over red, yet the Riesling stands out in a class of its own. “Entries in the organic wine show grew by 30% this year, making it one of Australia’s most competitive wine shows. To have Thistle Hill stand out as the best wine of the show is a tribute to the premium grape quality, organic growing and the rich soils in the Erudgere valley - just out of Mudgee.
“The wine has a classic Riesling style, yet the concentration of the organic grapes – which are undiluted by chemicals - makes the wine both generous and complex. The rich flavours yet crisp finish really makes the wine in a class of its own.
“One of the best qualities of organic wines, and the Thistle Hill Riesling in particular, is that the quality of the fruit is so superior, and allows you to take a minimalist approach to the winemaking process so that the fruit shines through in the end product,” Michael said.
“Organic wine isn’t only better for the environment, it has health benefits and also makes a better, more drinkable wine without the chemical fertilizers, herbicides and weedicides which can cause unhealthy reactions in some people.
“It’s also great to know the best organic wine in Australia and New Zealand can be purchased in Mudgee, and at Thistle Hill,” Michael said.