Best wines

New Zealand's best wines include world class examples of pinot noir, sauvignon blanc and chardonnay. The 2009 Air New Zealand Wine Awards awarded gold medals to more than 100 wines, with pinot noir varietals making up almost 20% of the top placings.

Chair of judges Steve Smith said the highlights of the competition were the pinot noir and chardonnay classes which he described as "truly spectacular". The 2009 sauvignon blanc vintage was also impressive, he said.

Of the 102 gold medals, 19 went to pinot noir varietals, 15 to chardonnay and 13 to sauvignon blanc.

More than 1,600 wines from New Zealand's 10 winegrowing regions were entered in the awards, with 740 gold, silver and bronze medals awarded by the 26 judges. 'Pure Gold' medals were also awarded to wines produced by winemakers employing sustainable production practices.

Air New Zealand Champion Wine of the Show Trophy
Julicher Pinot Noir 2008

Bell Gully Champion Sustainable Wine Trophy
Olssens Annieburn Riesling 2009

JF Hillebrand New Zealand Ltd Champion Pinot Noir Trophy
Julicher Pinot Noir 2008

Label & Litho Champion Chardonnay Trophy
Villa Maria Reserve Barrique Chardonnay 2007

O-I New Zealand Champion Sauvignon Blanc Trophy
Catalina Sounds Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2009

BDO Champion Other White Styles & Rosé Trophy
Church Road Reserve Viognier 2007

Fairfax Media Champion Open Red Wine Trophy
Waipara Hills Southern Cross Selection Central Otago Pinot Noir 2008

Fruitfed Supplies Champion Syrah Trophy
Coopers Creek SV Hawkes Bay Syrah Chalk Ridge 2008

LatitudeGT Champion Pinot Gris Trophy
Couper's Shed Pinot Gris 2009

Newstalk ZB Champion Other Red Styles Trophy
Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Tempranillo 2008

New World Champion Open White Wine Trophy
Forrest The Doctors' Riesling 2009

New Zealand Winegrowers Champion Gewurztraminer Trophy
Johanneshof Cellars Marlborough Gewurztraminer 2009

New Zealand Winegrowers Champion Merlot Trophy
Villa Maria Reserve Merlot 2007

Plant & Food Research Champion Riesling Trophy
Esk Valley Marlborough Riesling 2009

Rabobank Champion Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot/Cabernet Blend Trophy
Mills Reef Elspeth Cabernet Merlot 2007

Stuff.co.nz Champion Sparkling Wine Trophy
Deutz Marlborough Cuvee Blanc de Blancs 2006

Wineworks Champion Dessert Wine Trophy
Farmgate Noble Harvest Riesling 2007

Corbans Viticulture Champion Exhibition White or Sparkling Wine Trophy
Villa Maria Reserve Marlborough Chardonnay 2006

Kapiti Champion Exhibition Red Wine Trophy
Georgetown Vineyard Pinot Noir 2007

Pure Elite Gold Medals

Olssens Annieburn Riesling 2009
R.S.V.P. Crosse Vineyard Marlborough Riesling 2008

Elite Gold Medals

Gewurztraminer
Johanneshof Cellars Marlborough Gewurztraminer 2009
Waimea Nelson Gewurztraminer 2008

Riesling
Bouldevines Riesling 2009
Esk Valley Marlborough Riesling 2009
Forrest The Doctors' Riesling 2009
Vic Williams Selection Classic Marlborough Riesling 2008

Sauvignon Blanc
Catalina Sounds Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 19 Bird Block Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 3 43 Degrees Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Waimea Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Wairau River Home Block Sauvignon Blanc 2007

Chardonnay
Coopers Creek Gisborne Chardonnay Unoaked 2008
John Forrest Collection Chardonnay 2004
Mudbrick Vineyard Reserve Chardonnay 2008
Te Awa Chardonnay 2007
Villa Maria Reserve Barrique Chardonnay 2007
Villa Maria Reserve Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2008
Villa Maria Reserve Marlborough Chardonnay 2006
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Taylors Pass Chardonnay 2006

Viognier
Church Road Reserve Viognier 2007

Dessert Wine Styles
Farmgate Noble Harvest Riesling 2007
Margrain Botrytis Riesling 2009

Pinot Noir
Fairmont Estate Pinot Noir 2008
Georgetown Vineyard Pinot Noir 2007
Greystone Waipara Pinot Noir 2008
Julicher 99 Rows Te Muna Road Pinot Noir 2008
Julicher Pinot Noir 2008
Villa Maria Reserve Pinot Noir 2007
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Southern Clays Pinot Noir 2008

Cabernet Sauvignon and Blends based on Merlot and/or Cabernet Sauvignon
Mills Reef Elspeth Cabernet Merlot 2007
Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels The Gimblett 2007

Syrah
Church Road Reserve Syrah 2008
Coopers Creek SV Hawkes Bay Syrah Chalk Ridge 2008
Corbans Cottage Block Hawke's Bay Syrah 2007
Mills Reef Elspeth Syrah 2007
Vidal Hawkes Bay Syrah 2007