Ashlyn Foster is one five judges who has tasted and critiqued high altitude wines. All of the judges have assessed 126 wines from across the country. Video: Briannah Devlin
Judging for the Australian Highlands Wine Show has been underway in Berrima this week.
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The unique awards recognise wines across Australia that have been produced with grapes that have been grown 500 metres above sea level.
Thirty-three wineries from the Southern Highlands, Orange, Mudgee, Tumbarumba, Hilltops, New England, Canberra and Adelaide Hills entered in this year's competition.
A total of 126 wines have been judged at The Loch by Toni Paterson MW (Masters of Wine), Rob Geddes MW, winemaker Aaron Mercer, wine writer Paul Diamond and sommelier Ashlyn Foster.
"It is an excellent show letting wines express themselves," Ms Paterson said.
"This show grows in importance and stature every year, and the quality is very high this year."
Ms Paterson said this award allowed high altitude wines to "shine" and receive the recognition they might not get in a larger competition.
"We have seen beautiful Pinot Gris, Rieslings, Sauvignon Blancs and stunning sparkling wines," she said.
"We see varieties that stand out."
The judges tasted the wines blindly on November 1 and 2 and recorded their findings for each wine.
They then gathered and compared notes before each category was awarded gold, silver and bronze.
Top gold has also been awarded to wines in previous years, and some categories have not had a wine awarded gold in the past.
Ms Paterson also praised the community's involvement in the show, where local wineries in the Highlands helped out with the logistics on both days.
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Staff from Dawning Day Farms Exeter, Pepper Green Estate, and the Tractorless Vineyard cleared the tables, washed glasses and arranged the tastings for the judges.
The medals will be announced for every category at the presentation on December 2 at the Centennial Vineyards.
Tickets for the awards night can be purchased here.
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Briannah Devlin
I am passionate about delivering stories for residents in the Southern Highlands and Tablelands. I have experience across print, digital and radio journalism as well as podcasting. I am a general reporter but I always try to brighten the news cycle with feel-good stories that highlight wonderful people in the community and local initiatives and voices. You have probably seen one of my galleries pop up on the sites, I am a sucker for photos (especially of doggos)! If you have any tips, please send them to Briannah.Devlin@austcommunitymedia.com.au
I am passionate about delivering stories for residents in the Southern Highlands and Tablelands. I have experience across print, digital and radio journalism as well as podcasting. I am a general reporter but I always try to brighten the news cycle with feel-good stories that highlight wonderful people in the community and local initiatives and voices. You have probably seen one of my galleries pop up on the sites, I am a sucker for photos (especially of doggos)! If you have any tips, please send them to Briannah.Devlin@austcommunitymedia.com.au
