| Sustainability focus at Air NZ Wine Awards |
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The 2011 Air New Zealand Wine Awards dinner was held in Auckland on 12 November at The Langham, where the trophy winning wines were served with a six-course menu designed by Air New Zealand's consultant chefs. Organised and owned by New Zealand Winegrowers, the Air New Zealand Wine Awards is the country’s most prestigious wine competition, and regarded as the official competition of the New Zealand wine industry. The Air New Zealand Champion Wine of the Show went to Villa Maria Single Vineyard Keltern Hawke's Bay Chardonnay 2010. This wine also scooped the O-I New Zealand Champion Sustainable Wine and the Rabobank Champion Chardonnay trophy. Hawke's Bay and Marlborough topped the trophy tally with each region winning six trophies. Martinborough received three trophies and the remaining three trophies were awarded to wines from the Nelson, Central Otago and Auckland regions. Sustainability continued to be an important focus at this year’s awards with 23 Pure Elite Gold Medals awarded – up from 13 in 2010. Of the 23 Pure Elite Gold Medals, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay featured prominently, receiving six and five medals, respectively. Sauvignon Blanc received three Pure Elite Medals. Seven Elite Gold Medals were awarded across numerous varietals and classes. Air New Zealand general manager marketing and communications Mike Tod says this year marks the airline’s 25th year sponsoring the event. “It has been a privilege for us to have worked alongside the industry through a remarkable period of growth. The airline and the wine industry fit each other very well, and in many ways our evolution over the past 25 years mirrors each other,” he said. AIR NZ WINE AWARDS 2011 – TROPHY WINNERS Air New Zealand Champion Wine of the Show O-I New Zealand Champion Sustainable Wine Label and Litho Champion Sauvignon Blanc JF Hillebrand New Zealand Ltd Champion Pinot Noir Rabobank Champion Chardonnay Wineworks Champion Sparkling Wine Stuff.co.nz Champion Gewürztraminer Guala Closures NZ Champion Pinot Gris Plant & Food Research Champion Riesling BDO Champion Other White and Rosé Wine Business World Travel Champion Merlot Gold Medal Vintage Insurance Champion Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot/Cabernet Blend Fruitfed Supplies Champion Syrah New Zealand Winegrowers Champion Other Red Styles The Langham, Auckland Champion Dessert Wine New World Champion Open White Wine Fairfax Media Champion Open Red Wine Newstalk ZB Champion Exhibition White or Sparkling Wine Kapiti Champion Exhibition Red Wine PURE ELITE GOLD MEDALS Gewürztraminer Pinot Gris Riesling Sauvignon Blanc Chardonnay Dessert Wine Styles Pinot Noir Cabernet Sauvignon and Blends based on Merlot and/or Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah ELITE GOLD MEDALS Gewürztraminer Riesling Dessert Wine Styles Pinot Noir 
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