alt The Ian Tyrer Award 2008 went to the Qantas Wine Show Mount Barker marking their 30 anniversary. Beginning in 1978 as part of the Mount Barker Agricultural Show, the Wine Show of Western Australia has grown to become a separate and distinguished event which annually determines the best of Western Australian wines. From only six classes in 1978, the show now includes over 41 classes and 17 trophies including the prestigious Qantas Award for Best Wine of Show.

 

 

 

Created in Mount Barker 31 years ago, the Qantas Wine Show of Western Australia has earned a reputation as one of Australia’s most respected wine shows – mirroring the growth of the state’s wine industry and providing wine enthusiasts with insights into the best of Western Australia’s wines.
It is the state's premier wine show judging exclusively Western Australian wines.

 

From small beginnings in 1978 as a section of the annual Agricultural Show held each November by the Mount Barker and District Agricultural Society (Inc), the Wine Show of Western Australia, Mount Barker has since grown in scale and stature to become a separate and distinguished event managed by an independent sub-committee, with the highly regarded awards now known as the Qantas Wine Show of Western Australia.

The Qantas Wine Show is the one wine show in Australia to exclusively judge Western Australian grown wines and its 31 year evolution mirrors the development of Western Australia’s wine industry, as it too has grown from small beginnings into a major international player in wine growing, with a world class reputation.

In 1978, the wine show was comprised of just six classes which saw ten very enthusiastic exhibitors with twenty six entries judged solely by Chief Judge, John Hanley from Western Australia.

Two trophies and a total of 14 medals were awarded that year – one gold, seven silver and six bronze. The show was then known as the Mount Barker Wine Show, and Australian Airlines, the forerunner to Qantas Airlines, was the major sponsor for the show, offering an Australian Airlines flight to Canberra for the winner of the Best Wine of Show to attend the National Wine Show.

The Qantas Wine Show of Western Australia has since steadily increased in popularity and interest with the 2007 show boasting 41 classes and 1,277 entries from 221 exhibitors. Fourteen trophies and a total of 551 medals were awarded in 2007 – 55 gold, 101 silver and 395 bronze medals which were presented at a gala Awards Dinner.

These medal numbers were down from 2006, when nineteen trophies and a total of 617 medals were awarded. In 2008, 17 coveted trophies will be available to be won.

The 2007 wines were judged by three panels of judges led by respected wine writer and Chief Judge, James Halliday. The three panels were made up from nine senior judges and six associate judges.

The Qantas Wine Show of Western Australia anticipates continued growth as it enters its 31st year. The show passed a significant milestone in 2007 in celebrating its 30th Anniversary, with the show's longevity reflecting the important role the Western Australian wine industry now plays in the state’s cultural and agricultural identity, both nation-wide and world-wide.

Qantas Airways has been the major sponsor of the Wine Show of Western Australia since taking over Australian Airways in 1993 and again this year the winner of the Qantas Award for Best Wine of the Show will receive a trip for two to London.

Qantas’ partnership for the wine show also extends to its support for flying various judges from the Eastern States and its support at the presentation of the Awards Dinner.

The Hyatt Regency Perth became involved with the Wine Show in 2002 when the top 50 pointed wines from the show were first presented at a public tasting event following the show judging in Mount Barker.

Now a popular part of the annual offerings of the show, the Top 50 Tasting attracts wine lovers and wine investors keen to taste the top fifty-rated wines of each year’s show who also have the opportunity to discuss the wines with one or more of the senior judges, Wine Show Committee members and stewards.

In 2006, the annual Wine Show Awards Presentation Dinner was relocated from Mount Barker to the Hyatt Regency Perth for the first time, enabled more guests from the wine and hospitality industries and others who appreciate wine to be a part of the celebration.

The 2008 Awards Dinner will see more than 300 members of the WA wine industry come together, along with media, sponsors and wine enthusiasts, at a superb black tie dinner where award-winning wines from the 2007 show will be matched with dishes showcasing the best regional Western Australian produce, prepared by the talented chefs of the Hyatt Regency Perth.

Guests will also be treated to comments and insights into the wine judging by Chief Judge James Halliday, and have the chance to enjoy mingling with the makers and winners of Western Australia’s best wines, following the announcement of the trophy winners.