31, October 2016

Two in a row for McLaren Vale's re-crowned 2016 Bushing Monarch

Well-known McLaren Vale winemaker and industry icon, Steve Pannell of S.C. Pannell Wines, has been recrowned as the 2016 Bushing King - his second consecutive win of the region’s top award in the McLaren Vale Wine Show.

The prestigious title was awarded at the 52^nd annual MGA Insurance McLaren Vale Winemakers Bushing Lunch held at Serafino Wines.

The 2015 S.C. Pannell Touriga Cabernet Mataro was the highest scoring wine of the 2016 Wine Show as judged by an impressive panel of international and Australian judges including Adam Dromi, The Wine House LA, Dave Bicknell, Chief Winemaker Oakridge Estate and David Le Mire MW of Shaw & Smith.

2016 Chair of Judges, Jim Chatto has praised the emerging varietals of the region, with the brief to his judging team a simple directive.

“My brief to the judges was simple: “look for delicious regional wines of natural fruit character, balance and harmony, regardless of variety and/or style. Look for wines which complement the place, the cuisine, and the lifestyle; that is McLaren Vale,” said Mr Chatto.

“Every time I visit McLaren vale I am blown away by the enthusiasm & energy throughout industry. McLaren Vale is easily one of the most dynamic and exciting wine regions in Australia today.”

This year’s McLaren Vale Wine Show received 728 entries from 102 producers, with gold medals being awarded to 34 different producers.

Grenache dominant blends were the one of the strongest classes of the 2016 Wine Show, with a large portion of the gold medal wines awarded in the varietal class, reinforcing McLaren Vale’s declaration as Australia’s leading Grenache producing region.

Jennifer Lynch, McLaren Vale Grape Wine & Tourism Association General Manager is pleased the annual Wine Show continues to be recognised as the premier regional wine show in Australia.

“The McLaren Vale Wine Show showcases not just the premium wines of the region, but the unique people and their stories too.”

“Acting as a vehicle to champion our regional varietal heroes – The Bushing Lunch is the perfect culmination to celebrate the fantastic food and wine culture McLaren Vale is renowned for.”

All gold medal winning wines will be available for the public to taste at the ‘McLaren Vale Gold Medals meet Leigh Street’ open air event on Friday 11 November.

For only $20, Adelaide’s wine lovers will have the unique opportunity to taste the best of the McLaren Vale Wine Show, meet the winemakers and to savour our region’s diverse wine styles.

Full Wine Show results can be found here.

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