MORE than 300 medals have been awarded at the National Cool Climate Wine Show, with four gold going to wines from the Central Ranges.
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The show, which is in its 21st year, was held in Bathurst from October 22 and received nearly 800 entries from all cool climate growing regions of Australia.
Top honours went to Orange's Tamburlaine Organic Wines, which won champion wine of the show for its 2019 Reserve Riesling.
The variety was also the champion riesling of the show, top white wine, and won the vineyard the Central Ranges Trophy for the best wine from the central west of NSW.
Publicity officer Dr Donald Alexander said the show awarded 228 bronze medals, 59 silver and 31 gold to wines entered into the show.
The four gold medals from the Central Ranges all went to Orange winemakers.
There were no gold medal winners from Bathurst, but Renzaglia Wines picked up two silver and four bronze medals, Three Views was awarded a silver medal, and Grass Parrot Wines came away with one bronze medal.
Wines entered into the show were assessed by seven expert judges.
Chief judge Tim Knappstein, who is stepping away from the show after 20 years, spoke highly of the quality of the wines entered this year.
"Overall the standard of entries was very good. The only weakness was in the 2017 shiraz and chardonnay, and typically the reds were better than most of the other varieties," he said.
He also said the standard of entries had improved over his time judging and exhibitors had become more professional because of the show.
Dr Alexander said was pleased with the feedback.
"It reaffirms the original idea of setting up the show, which was to improve the quality and standard of cool climate wines in Australia, and it has done that," he said.
With the retirement of Mr Knappstein as chief judge, the position will be filled next year by Russell Cody of McWilliams Wines, who has been with the show for years.
While judging for the show has concluded, the wines haven't been packed away.
There will be a public tasting on Saturday night (tonight) at Bathurst Panthers Club from 6pm to 9pm.
Dr Alexander said people could still purchase tickets at the door if they hadn't already booked.
He expects there will be a big crowd in attendance.
"Hopefully over 350 people. Last year we had around 320 and we've had quite a lot of bookings," Dr Alexander said.
Prior to the tasting event, people can attend a behind the scenes tour with Bathurst vignerons, who will show the cellar area of the wine show and share their knowledge.
Tickets are $60 and include entry to the public tasting. This event starts at 5pm.