(media release) Monday 20th August: The Champagne Bureau Australia has just announced twelve finalists from around the country in the Vin de Champagne Awards.
For anyone passionate about Champagne, the Vin de Champagne Award is one of the most coveted wine Awards in Australia.
Presented every two years by the Champagne Bureau Australia, past winners of this prestigious award include some of the country’s most knowledgeable wine industry personnel, winemakers, journalists, restaurateurs, commentators and educators can be listed as past winners of this prestigious award.
Finalists were selected in the following categories:-
Professional (for people who gain income from the food & wine industry)
Dan Buckle, VIC (Winemaker, Domaine Chandon)
Annette Lacey, NSW (Lecturer, Sydney Wine Academy)
Kate Laurie, SA (Winemaker, Deviation Road)
Karen Macalister-Hohnen, NSW (Wine Educator, McWilliams Wines Group)
Cam O’Keefe, VIC (Sales, Heart+ Soul Wine Imports)
Ben Portet, VIC (Winemaker, Dominique Portet)
Amateur (for those who have a passion about Champagne)
Nicole Goodyer, NSW (Florist)
Nicole Smith, QLD (Practice Manager, Eye Clinic)
Dr Sean Stevens, WA (Mead Medical Group)
Matthew Stutsel, NSW (KMPG)
Kaaren Palmer, SA (Company Director)
Tom Warrell, NSW (Engineer)
Finalists will be flown to Sydney for the final judging on September 26th where they are required to show their skills in tasting a range of Champagne styles. Judging of the finalists will be conducted by former professional winners Huon Hooke and Peter Bourne along with former amateur winner Bernadette O’Shea and the Comité Champagne Communications Director, Thibaut Le Mailloux.
Following the judging, the winners will be announced in the evening at a gala black tie dinner at The Pavilion, where renowned chef Justin North will create a menu to match fifteen Champagne Wines. Approximately 100 guests are invited, including high profile members of the community and Australia’s most respected wine and food industry leaders and media.
Winners receive a two-week educational tour to the Champagne district in France, where they receive their medal from Le Comité Champagne and enjoy the legendary Champenois hospitality. In the past, winners have been overwhelmed by their visit and for many; it’s the start of an exciting and passionate relationship with Champagne.
“The award has run for over thirty years and has produced some of the finest Champagne palates in the world. Past winners actively promote Champagne across all aspects of life ensuring that Australia remains in the top ten markets for importing Champagne,” says Elisabeth Drysdale, Director of the Champagne Bureau.
