2,103 entries were received into this year’s New Zealand International Wine Show. Judged by Chair Bob Campbell MW and Chief Judges Larry McKenna, John Hancock and Kym Milne MW, a total 25 trophies and 1,517 medals were awarded. In addition, the Sir George Fistonich medal for a legend of New Zealand Wine was presented, to Clive Weston – Managing Director of Negociants in New Zealand. Following the Sir Geor…

Gold medals were presented to winners of the 2015 NSW Wine Awards on Monday. Now in their 20 th year, this year the awards received a record number of entries, seeing a staggering 57 gold medals awarded. President of the NSW Wine Industry Association and awards judge, Tom Ward said: “Of the 872 wines entered, 456 wines were awarded a bronze, silver or gold medal. This represents a 52 per cent success rat…

A record number of awards have been handed out at this year’s Sydney Royal Beer & Cider Show, including three Championships. The most prized winner, receiving two of the three Championships awarded, was boutique producer, Sydney Brewery. Sydney Brewery took out Champion Draught Beer and Champion Cider, followed by Matilda Bay (produced by CUB Cascade Brewery), who received Champion Bottled Beer for its Re…

This week, the Australian Hotels Association (AHA) handed out the 2015 National Awards for Excellence to members of the hospitality and accommodation industry. Atop a glow of highlights was the induction of New South Wales hotel industry stalwart, Bevan Douglas, into the Johnnie Walker Hall of Fame. The induction recognised Mr. Douglas and his family’s contribution to the city of Tamworth. Over the last 2…

Australian producers have dazzled judges at this year’s Perth Royal Wine Show, with 26 Major Trophies awarded to top winemakers across the country. On the back of three Trophies and 19 Medals, Houghton was awarded the show’s 2015 Bill Jamieson Trophy for Most Successful Western Australian Exhibitor. Houghton received the Trophy alongside The Royal Agricultural Society of WA Trophy for Best Dry Red Table W…

The results from the annual VIC100 Wine Awards for 2015 are now available. Held each year to highlight the top 100 wines produced in Victoria, each year the awards also select one wine as the region’s best. Unable to choose just one wine this year however, the prestigious VIC ONE trophy was jointly awarded. “It was our intention to decide on one winner, a single VIC ONE wine, yet with two such exceptional…

This year’s BACARDÍ Legacy Global Cocktail Competition is now well underway and the top three Australian bartenders making their way through to the finals have been chosen. Selected from 15 other competitors in the semi-finals, Andrew Bennett from The Classroom, WA; Peter Hollands from Gresham Bar, QLD; and Igor Pachi from Assembly Bar in NSW are now Australia’s finalists. Contestants presented their lega…

Michito Kaneko from Japan has been crowned as Diageo Reserve WORLD CLASS Bartender of the Year 2015. After a grueling week of competition, Michito took out the title in Cape Town, South Africa on Saturday (September 5), coming out on top from the original 54 contenders. “When I heard my name, I couldn’t believe what I was hearing – I was in total shock,” Michito said after the announcement. “I’m very happ…

The winning wines from this year’s International Sweet Wine Challenge (ISWC). Taking out top gong at the 2015 ISWC was the “FREEMAN Dolcino” 2013 (meaning “little sweetie”) – awarded 2015 International Sweet Wine of the Year. First produced by Dr. Brian Freeman (previously professor of Wine Science at Charles Sturt University) and his daughter Xanthe, the FREEMAN Dolcino is made from viognier grapes harve…

Bartenders from Australia, Czech Republic, Great Britain, Greece, Israel and Japan go through to the final. The top six WORLD CLASS Bartender of the Year finalists for 2015 were announced on Wednesday night, selected from among the original 54 contenders. The top six were: Jack Sotti of Australia; Viteslav Cirok of the Czech Republic; Alistair Reynolds of Great Britain; Manolis Lykiardopoulos of Greece; A…