Informing consumers about the quality of wines produced from Italian grape varieties grown in Australia, the inaugural Australian Italian Wine Awards will be held as part of the Riverina Wine Show.
The awards aim to underscore the burgeoning growth and interest in Italian varietal wines in Australia and to promote the category as essential food wines with unique aroma, flavour, texture and structure.
Launched by the Riverina Winemakers Association, the Australian Italian Wine Awards will be judged on 6 and 7 September, as part of the Riverina Wine Show in Griffith, NSW.
Chair of judges Sophie Otton, said “This is an exciting development in Australia’s wine industry awards calendar, a niche component to the broader Riverina show which both anticipates our future and acknowledges our past.”
Fellow judges include Mark Protheroe, group head sommelier, at the Grossi Restaurant Group; Sue Hodder, senior winemaker at Wynn’s Coonawarra; and Lucy Clements, head of sourcing for the Coles Liquor Group.
Entries open on 20 June and close on 22 July. The results will be announced on 30 September.
