The Marlborough Wine Show, sponsored by QuayConnect, has announced its top wines for 2024, chosen from over 500 entries.
Organised by Wine Marlborough Ltd. which represents the Marlborough Winegrowers Association, this important event celebrates wine produced throughout the region while drawing attention to its diversity, excellence, and regional character.
It is also a valuable opportunity to encourage wine tasting talent in what is New Zealand’s largest wine producing region where approximately 80% of the country’s wine is made.
The wine industry is a vital one for Marlborough, accounting for 20% of its GDP and contributing one in five jobs. Wine Marlborough leads the way in building and promoting the region’s reputation as a leading light in the wine industry, championing the sector throughout New Zealand and globally and the Wine Show is an opportunity for growers and producers to see how their wines compare with others.
This year saw almost double the number of gold medals awarded with 86 in total. Chief Judge Stu Marfell praised the exceptional quality of this year's entries, noting a significant increase in gold medals for Sauvignon Blanc. “The Current Vintage class saw double the golds compared to 2023,” Marfell stated.
Guest Judge Sam Kim, who has over three decades of experience tasting Marlborough wines, highlighted the Current Vintage Sauvignon Blanc as the standout of his career. He remarked, “The 2024 vintage is the best I've ever tried, with remarkable fruit purity, intensity, and a balanced acidity that makes them incredibly satisfying.”
Kim, who is also the founder of the wine review site Wine Orbit, noted that the Marlborough Wine Show’s boutique nature allows judges to thoroughly evaluate and discuss wines, making it a valuable platform for quality assessment. He emphasized the importance of showcasing subregional diversity, particularly for Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir.
Ten gold medals were awarded in the Current Vintage Chardonnay class, considerably more than the four last year. Pinot Gris with seven gold medals and Riesling with six also performed better.
The Wine Awards are also an excellent opportunity for student winemakers to show their talents and judge Marfell was delighted with the quality produced in this category which resulted in a number of gold medals awarded.
On October 18 the Celebration Long Lunch will be held, featuring the presentation of the 2024 Wine Marlborough Lifetime Achievement Awards along with the announcement of the trophy winners.
