One of New Zealand's more popular vineyards has taken out the top wine accolade.
Church Road Reserve Syrah 2007 has been judged the champion wine at the Air New Zealand Wine Awards. But you might have to wait to taste it as it's not yet on shop shelves.
This year's best plonk doesn't come from some obscure vineyard only wine snobs know. You've probably heard of it yourself. It's a Church Road Reserve Syrah 2007 and it beat 1,750 other wines to the top award.
"I think it just adds weight to what is a very long history of making very fine wines at that site," says Jeff Clarke of Church Road.
In typical wine speak, the judges describe it as "serious and brooding, with an iron fist-like feel to it."
"You have a great dinner with that wine. It deserves at least that. It deserves great glassware, it deserves some time," says Steve Smith, judging panel chair.
That great dinner was enjoyed by 800 aficionados on Saturday night, local lamb and organic spinach specially chosen not to outshine the star attraction.
"You never want the food to outdo the wine. I mean sometimes you...do find that don't you, the food's far too, you know confused tasting to go with the wine," says Ruth Pretty, caterer.
While there was no shortage of the country's top wine at the awards, the same can't be said of the morning after.
ONE News was told it wasn't alone in having visited a number of stores on Sunday looking for the winning wine only to find out that it won't be released until March next year.
And because wine gets better with age, it's probably worth the three-and-a-half month wait.
