The best of Australian wine is set to shine again on the world stage, following recent success at two international wine shows.
For the second year in a row Penfolds has won the prestigious George Mackey Memorial Trophy for Australia’s export wine of the year.
The 2004 Penfolds Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon - described by Penfolds senior red winemaker Steve Lienert as “a Cabernet Sauvignon flagship and a stalwart” - was chosen from more than 18,000 entries by an expert panel.
“Penfolds is the first to go back to back and only the third company to win the trophy twice,” said the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation’s chief executive, Sam Tolley. “And both were worthy winners.”
On hand to help Steve Lienert celebrate were two other Australian success stories in 2007 - Wirra Wirra’s Samantha Connew, who was named Red Winemaker of the Year at the International Wine Challenge, and Chapel Hill’s Michael Fragos, who was crowned Winemaker of the Year at the International Wine and Spirit Competition.
“This has been a fantastic year for Australia internationally,” Mr
Tolley said. “Our wines are being judged and endorsed as among the best in the world. Most importantly these are exciting wines that are clearly Australian yet show the regional characteristics that add to the diversity of our offering.”
The 2004 Penfolds Bin 707 contains a relatively high percentage of fruit from the legendary Penfolds Kalimna Block 42 vineyard, the world’s oldest continuously producing Cabernet vineyard, with the same, original vines planted in the late 1880’s.
“This is a hugely important Trophy for Penfolds. Our winery exports two in every three bottles of wine we produce. To be awarded Australia’s export wine of the year, selected from thousands of fine Australian wines, is an amazing achievement and we are very proud” said Lienert.
Each year the AWBC wine inspectors assess thousands of wines submitted for export approval, and each one is in the running for the trophy. By recognizing Australia’s best export wine from all those tasted during the year, it sets a benchmark for the quality of Australia’s wine exports. Previous winners have included Wirra Wirra, Tatachilla, Coldstream Hills, Cape Mentelle and Penley Estate.
“One of the current challenges the Australian wine industry faces is how to differentiate itself in a crowded market place. We need to demonstrate the quality of our wines abroad.
“The Directions strategy called for a focus on value building not volume growth alone, and recent performances show this is achievable. While there are still considerable challenges we face with respect to water availability and sustained pressure on profitability, there are positive signs that we can differentiate our offering on the basis of quality as well as price.
“We can grow shipments with increased prices if we demonstrate the quality aspect of our wines. The George Mackey Trophy is one way we can contribute to communicating that message” Mr Tolley said.
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