As Australians’ love affair with champagne continues to grow, the award that recognises expertise and passion in the field is calling for entries.
The Vin de Champagne—the annual award that allows Champagne aficionados around Australia to put their palates to the test—is on again.
Organised every second year on behalf of the Comite Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne (CIVC), the award not only aims to celebrate and encourage the enjoyment of Champagne in Australia but seeks to find Champagne Ambassadors who will share their knowledge and appreciation of Champagne.
“No other wine award like this exists in Australia or in any other major market for Champagne in the world,” says Elisabeth Drysdale, director of the Champagne Information Centre.
“The award has run for over thirty years and has produced some of the finest Champagne palates in the world. Past winners actively promote Champagne across all aspects of life ensuring that Australia remains in the top ten markets for importing Champagne.”
For the first time last year imports of Champagne hit the 3 million bottle mark with 3,308,978 bottles sold—a jump of nearly 12 per cent on 2006. This milestone ranks Australia as the tenth biggest export market for Champagne. Globally almost 151 million bottles were exported to more than 190 countries. This figure has tripled compared to export figures in the 1980’s. The United Kingdom still represents the largest market with 38,957,205 bottles followed by the US, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Japan, Switzerland, Spain and the Netherlands.
The 2008 Vin de Champagne is open to candidates in one of three categories; Professional for people who gain income from the food and wine industries, Amateur for those experienced tasters who have a passion for Champagne and Student for 18-27 year olds who are enrolled in or have recently completed a wine, hospitality or catering course. Entrants will be required to answer a number of essay questions on Champagne viticulture, terroir and history and are expected to have some knowledge of the administrative and marketing structure of the Champagne industry.
State finalists will be flown to Sydney to undergo a final judging before a panel of judges in which they are required to show their skills in tasting a range of Champagnes selected from non-vintage, vintage, blanc de blanc and rose styles. The winner will be announced at an invitation only awards dinner attended by some of Australia’s most respected wine and food industry leaders. Judging of the award will be conducted by Huon Hooke; author, wine-writer and former professional Winner, Peter Bourne, wine-writer and ‘wine-man’ former professional winner and Bernadette O’Shea former amateur winner and Champagne educator.
Winners receive a two-week educational tour to the Champagne district where they receive their medal from the CIVC and enjoy the legendary Champenois hospitality.
Entry forms will be available from March 10 and can be obtained from www.champagne-cic.com.au. For information you can also call (02) 9555 8891.
