A record number of gold medals were awarded at this year's New World Wine Awards, reflecting the increasing quality of wines being entered into the competition, which is now in its 10th year. 

Each wine is scored by an expert judging panel using the same internationally recognised 20 point system as other leading wine competitions. The only difference is that all wines entered must retail for below $25 a bottle and at least 500 cases must be available for sale. This ensures that consumers are guaranteed access to wines that are the best examples of their type at affordable prices. 

"We were delighted with the outstanding quality of wines submitted this year, which reflects the credibility of these awards among winemakers. Not only is the judging process as rigorous as any other wine competition, winning a medal in the New World Wine Awards guarantees them national distribution and brand exposure, driving sustained sales," says Jim Harré, Chair of the New World Wine Awards judging panel. 

Of the 1,008 wines entered, the judging panel – comprised of 13 of New Zealand’s top wine judges and commentators – awarded 56 gold, 130 silver and 412 bronze medals. The quality of wines submitted meant that 11% more gold medals, and 77 more medals overall, were awarded this year than in 2011. 

New Zealand wines took out top honours in all three of the ultimate ‘taste-offs’ by the judging panel to select the Champion Red, White and Sparkling Wines:  

- Champion Red

– Mud House Pinot Noir 2010  

- Champion White

– Wild Rock Pania Chardonnay 2010  

- Champion Bubbles

– Brancott Estate Sparkling Rosé 

“The awards results are eagerly anticipated by consumers as is reflected by the fact that, even with the required minimum of 500 cases available, last year's Champion White sold out nationwide in 10 days,” says Mr Harré. 

All award-winning wines are distributed and promoted in New World’s 141 supermarkets nationwide. A Top 50 selection of the award-winning wines will be showcased in the New World Wine Awards 2012 booklet and stocked in New World stores from 17 September. 

Consumers can also take their wine education a step further by finding food and wine matches, video clips of the judging process, recipes and full competition results on the New World Wine Awards 2012 website www.newworld.co.nz/wineawards 

“With more people buying wine as part of their grocery shopping, they can have confidence that a Gold medal wine in the New World Wine Awards is of the same quality as any other Gold medal wine, but costing $25 or less. This gives people a great chance to try varieties they wouldn’t normally choose,” says Mr Harré.