GOLD RUSH FOR QUEENSLAND WINERIES

The Queensland wine industry is celebrating after many of the State’s wineries won awards at the 2007 Wine Show and Mediterranean Challenge in Toowoomba.

Wine Industry Development Minister Margaret Keech said Queensland wines won a remarkable two gold, eight silver and 36 bronze medals at last week’s event.

“Queensland wine producers have once again shown that they can compete with the best wines from around Australia,” she said.

Gold medals were awarded to the 2005 Bents Road Winery Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2005 Summit Estate Cabernet, both from Queensland’s Granite Belt.

“The award-winning winemakers, especially Bents Road Winery and Summit Estate, should be very proud of their achievements. To win a medal at a national show of this calibre is certainly a tremendous achievement,” Mrs Keech said.

“Our success at these awards makes it clear that Queensland wines are becoming the wine of choice for many connoisseurs around Australia.

“The quality and consistency of local wines continues to improve – just look at the number of medals Queensland wineries are winning.

“Queensland winemakers have consistently demonstrated their prowess on the state, national and international stage winning a total of over 450 medals in the past 12 months.

“I’m sure the Queensland wine industry is on track to receive many more of these prestigious awards in the future.”

Trophies were also awarded at the 2007 Wine Show and Mediterranean Challenge for the following:

·Best Queensland Mediterranean White wine

o2007 Casley Mt Hutton Winery Verdelho

·Best Queensland Mediterranean Red wine

o2006 Casley Mt Hutton Winery Shiraz

·Best Queensland Non - Mediterranean white wine

o2005 Preston Peak Semillon

·Best Queensland Non -Mediterranean red wine

o2005 Bents Road Cabernet Sauvignon

For a full list of award winning Queensland wines visit: www.dtftwid.qld.gov.au/wine

Media contacts:

Minister's Office: Jo Gibbons 3224 2007