The results of the New World Wine Awards have been released – see which wines took the top accolades.

The results of the New World Wine Awards have highlighted the quality of the 2016 vintage, with vintage wines winning 137 of 779 medals. They also took out 15 Gold Medals and three varietal Champion awards.

There were twice as many new vintage wines entered this year, as well as a record number of entries overall.

The 13-strong independent panel of wine experts who judged the 1319 wines entered, according to the same internationally recognised points system as all other major wine shows, awarded 779 medals overall, including 88 Gold, 192 Silver and 499 Bronze medals. The best wines in each category were then re-tasted to determine the Champion wines, eight out of 10 of which are from New Zealand vineyards. 

In order to be eligible for entry to the New World Wine Awards the wines entered must retail for $25 or less and there must be at least 5000 bottles available for sale. This ensures the award-winning wines are more accessible for wine lovers than is often the case for other wine awards.

Overall 779 medals were won this year – of these, there are: 88 Gold, 192 Silver and 499 Bronze medal-winning wines.

THE WINNERS

• Champion Sauvignon Blanc: Mount Vernon Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016
• Champion Pinot Gris: Thornbury Waipara Pinot Gris 2016
• Champion Chardonnay: Clearview Estate Beachhead Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2015
• Champion Riesling: Giesen Riesling 2015
• Champion Sparkling Wines: Brancott Estate Brut Cuvee NV
• Champion Rosé: Villa Maria Private Bin Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2016
• Champion Pinot Noir: Esk Valley Marlborough Pinot Noir 2015
• Champion Shiraz & Syrah: Mission Estate Reserve Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2015
• Champion Red Blend: Robert Oatley GSM 2015
• Champion Single Varietal Red: Sandalford Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

For more information on the New World Wine Awards visit newworld.co.nz.