Entries are now open for the highly regarded National Cool Climate Wine Show, which will be held in Bathurst in October.
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Publicity officer Dr Donald Alexander said that the show has continued to grow over the 21 years since its inception.
"I got involved there about 14 years ago and we were struggling to get 300, 400 entries, but then we started to get over 1000," he said.
In recent years, the number of entries has averaged around 800 and they are submitted from vineyards right across the country.
With the exception of the Northern Territory and Queensland, every other state and territory is able to be represented.
"There's 36 different classes and some of those classes can have up to 120 wines in them," the show's chairperson, Lee Baxter, said.
A wide variety of wines are entered each year, but it is the pinot noirs, chardonnays and rieslings that tend to attract the biggest numbers.
"We're also seeing a bit of a spike in sparklings," Ms Baxter added.
While much of Australia is represented, it's important not to forget that Bathurst vignerons are also vying for medals at the National Cool Climate Wine Show.
"Because the show is connected with the local vignerons association, we do encourage them to enter, which is a great way for them to benchmark their wines against the other cool climate wines from around the country," Ms Baxter said.
Gold, silver and bronze medals are able to be awarded in each of the classes, with certain scores having to be achieved from the judges to qualify for a particular medal. If the quality isn't high enough, medals won't be awarded.
This year, there will be seven judges at the show, along with two associate judges working under their guidance.
The chief judge is elite winemaker Tim Knappstein, who will be in Bathurst for his 20th and final show.
Dr Alexander and Ms Baxter said he is very respected and an asset to the show.
The National Cool Climate Wine Show will be held from October 22 to 26, with the medals to be presented by the judges on October 25.
The final day of the show will include a public tasting night at Bathurst Panthers Club, where guests can sample wines entered into the show, including medal winners.
Guests can also meet some of the masterminds behind the drops.
"It gives the local vignerons a chance to talk to them about their wines," Ms Baxter said.
For more information about entering the show or the public tasting, visit www.coolwines.com.au.
Entries close on September 27, 2019.
