The Royal Hobart International Wine Show (20th November 2009)

Yes the Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania have done it again but unlike McCains they've actually done something that helps the community. The Royal Hobart International Wine Show is an absolute belter of an event.  If you read our article about last year's show you'll know that while we don't quite get the whole show caper we love this event because it is a great opportunity to learn. So in the words of the recently unemployed but still incredibly rich Rove McManus "what have we learnt?". Well quite a bit as it happens.

We learnt that we will never understand the mysterious ways of the wine judge. 

We read with open mouth the disturbing and inexplicable fact that a wine from Un Zud won the trophy for best pinot noir. Having tried it and some of the competing Tassie pinots we can only say that the judges were on something and that obviously wasn't a glass of "how about a bit of Aussie pride" juice.

Actually missing out on that trophy may not be so bad after all. The prize was a return economy class trip for two to Paris from Etihad Airways (of AFL ground naming fame - Ed). Sounds good but there was a little note that informed careful readers that the prize didn't cover government taxes and levys so the fine folk from Villa Maria Estate will have to part with a few of their 'nearly worth as much as the Aussie dollar' NZ dollars. Not only that, the prize is subject to availability so the winners may not be travelling on a date they choose. Paris in the middle of winter anyone?

Anyway, how is it that a wine like the 05 Winstead reserve pinot doesn't win a medal. That's like saying Megan Gale looks a bit horsey! We're outraged we tells ya, outraged.

But what else did we learn? We learnt that we have been wrong about semillon.

It isn't horrible, bitter and tasteless. In the past we have described the taste of a semillon as being like a old person with dementia. Take your eye off a semillon for a second and the taste just wanders off never to be seen again. But after talking to Andrew Hood, who judged the semillon, and trying some of the gold winners of the 2008 and older class we have to admit that our prejudice does us no credit and is wrong. Well, wrong with regard to aged semillon anyway.

Tyrrell's Vineyards won 5 gold medals for their aged semillon and we liked them all. We had no idea that semillon could have such flavour and impact. For the record our favourite was the 1999 HVD. The fact that the Kangaroos won an AFL premiership in that year had no influence over our choice ...... that's right ...... none.

But what else did we learn? We learnt that not cooling wines on a 33 degree day is a good thing. 

You really get to see if a wine retains it's structure and flavour in less than ideal conditions. Even though you shouldn't drink table wine under these conditions it was pretty pleasing to see how well they all held up.

But what else did we learn? We learnt a new word "drinkasility". 

According to our official catalogue one of the 2009 semillons was rewarded for it's "sheer drinkasility in the herbaceous sauvignon blanc style". Well done the fine folk at Woodstock. Now go forth and use this new word.

Finally what else have we learnt? We learnt that God loves us very much. 

We know this because he (all right feminists step away from the keyboard - because  she - Ed)  invented rare muscat and tokay. To all the good folk at Morris Wines and McWilliams Wines we love you and want to have your babies. The coveted Winepunters bow of approval to all concerned.

Now that we are all learneded out it's time to award a few 'medals' of our own.

The "can you stop showing off you are making the rest of us look bad" award goes to Greg Melick from Pressing Matters for yet another swag of awards.  His label was successful last year as well.

The "we should've read the catalogue more carefully before criticising the judges" award goes to ..... er .... us. There were more than a few Tassie judges this year and (cough) they are a tad good at what they do.

Summing up

Going to a tasting at the Royal Hobart Wine Show is quite simply the most fun you can have with your clothes on. All joking and minor quibbles aside it is an impressive event and the sheer breadth and depth of wines available for tasting is incredible.  

If you haven't been then take advantage of the fact that the show includes a public tasting and go go go!

Finally we can't talk about the Hobart Wine Show without sharing our favourite bit. We buy the catalogue to read all the judges insults comments and here are some that caught our eye and made us glad we don't make wine. 

Those of you who like white wines in general and Sauvignon Blanc in particular may wish to look away now:

Class 9 Blends of any white wine varieties 2009

"Overall a disappointing class. No gold awarded. Too many sweet/sour wines that lack fruit intensity"

Class 3 Sauvignon Blanc 2009

"Too many wines were bland, sugar propelled and showed poor use of phenolics"

Class 3 Sauvignon Blanc 2008 and older

"Many wines lacked purity suggesting attempt (sic) to enhance flavour at the expense of texture by manipulation of phenolics"

Class 21 Pinot Gris 2008 and older

"Jekyll & Hyde class with some wines showing green fruit and other (sic) with excessive alcohol. Too few wines exhibit appropriate texture"

Class 23  Riesling - any vintage

"A disappointing class. No highlights" Last year the comment for this class was "Disappointing class with too many wines lacking vibrancy ... If the industry wants people to drink Riesling the entry wines have to be better and show true varietal characters" So the judges are still cranky with this class of Riesling, who says they aren't consistent!

What do you think?  Send us a comment