continuing to produce high standard wines.

According to the judges at last week’s Cowra Region Vineyard Association wine awards, the standard of the local wines is increasing.

Only one gold medal was awarded at the show, to the Mulyan Viognier 2007 which received the Cowra Guardian Trophy for the Best White Wine of the Show.

Judges for the Suncorp Cowra Region Wine Awards were Russell Cody, Chief winemaker at McWilliams, Griffith, Nick Bulleid MW, lecturer at Charles Sturt University and wine writer, and Len Sorbello of Winewise Magazine.

Associate judges were Folkert Jenssen of Windowrie Wines and Graham Kerr of Tom’s Waterhole.

The judging took place at The Falls followed by the exhibitors tasting.

Chairman of the Awards committee Peter Jeffery thanked the sponsors Suncorp, Cowra Guardian, Orange Courier Service, Ace Ohlsson Pty, Ever Redi Press, Kinsela CRT Farm Supplies, CRT Canowindra Real Estate, Acme Preston Pty Ltd and Gaskill Greens Canowindra for their generosity, without which the show would not have been such a success, and Cowra Show Society for their support and use of their glasses and boards for the day.

From the 102 entries 1 gold, 6 silver and 33 bronze medals were awarded and judges commented on the standard that Cowra wines are achieving, despite the drought which has caused difficult vintages in most wine regions.

In particular the increase in standard over the last few years was noted.

Chief judge, Russell Cody was particularly impressed with the Cowra Semillons which were aging well as indicated in the Museum Class where two two silver medals were awarded.

Focusing on regionality he commented that red wines made in the Rhone style suited the fruit from Cowra which produced elegant, food friendly wines.

A presentation dinner was held at taste Canowindra on Saturday night following a public tasting of the wines.

President of the Association Tom Ward presented the trophies to the winners.