| Vintners often submit their wines to judging in | | | | Australia, there are many different competitions |
| competitions held in Australia and around the | | | | held. In some competitions the wine is judged |
| world. Judges consider the various qualities of the | | | | without food. In other competitions the wine is |
| types of wines when making their decisions. They | | | | judged after being paired with appropriate foods. |
| consider the appearance, aroma, flavor and body | | | | The ultimate goal is to earn a gold medal which |
| of the wine. When you consider that wine | | | | brings with it international recognition. |
| exports of Australian made wine is a multi-billion | | | | There are also many international wine |
| dollar business, you can get a better | | | | competitions held and wineries from countries |
| understanding of how seriously wine competitions | | | | around the world attend. They are spectacular |
| are taken by vintners. | | | | industry events which attract a fascinating |
| Wine competitions are held in cities, at regional | | | | collection of people with one thing in common - |
| levels, nationally and internationally. There are | | | | wine. The judges have earned a reputation for |
| many different kinds of wine categories including, | | | | their ability to accurately judge wine and the |
| but not limited to, the following most popular | | | | coveted awards are sought by wineries seeking |
| Australian wine types. | | | | acknowledgment of their achievements. |
| * Shiraz | | | | When a wine wins an award, the winery earns |
| * Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc | | | | the privilege of including the award name on the |
| * Merlot | | | | label. |
| * Riesling | | | | The awards given to wine are as varied as the |
| * Rosé wines | | | | wines presented. Awards range from best local |
| * Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris | | | | boutique wine to awards presented on a global |
| * Grenache | | | | scale. Earning top awards for a wine can lead to |
| * Chardonnay | | | | greater sales, increased exports and even |
| * Sauvignon Blanc | | | | investment purchases. There are many wine |
| * Sparking wines | | | | collectors and investors in the world ready to buy |
| * Fortified wines such as Muscat and Tawny | | | | the next bottles of award winning wine. |
| This is not intended to be a complete list, but only | | | | Wine is Serious Business |
| to give you an idea of the interesting and | | | | Despite its entertainment purpose, wine making is |
| complete selection of Australian wines presented | | | | serious business. The wine awards given at shows |
| at competitions around the world. Australian wines | | | | such as the National Wine Show of Australia, the |
| only continue to grow in popularity and | | | | International Wine Competition, and many others, |
| winemakers have earned many awards in | | | | bring prestige and honor to the wine making |
| recognition of their talents. | | | | industry. |
| Uncorking the Best: | | | | Vintners have been making wine for thousands of |
| Wineries submit their wines for official wine tasting | | | | years. It is an ancient practice that has led to the |
| and judging in order to reap recognition and | | | | creation of a unique art form. It is appropriate |
| awards in the appropriate categories. There are | | | | that competitions give awards to recognize the |
| even awards for the best wine bottle design. In | | | | efforts and judgment put into each bottle of wine. |