⏱ 2 min read
The Short Version
Judging eighty wines a day isn't a vacation; it’s a grueling test of mental stamina and precision. From blind re-tastings to tracking the glacial evolution of Semillon, these high-stakes deliberations are essential for separating true regional excellence from the merely good.
In This Article
Pour yourself a cup for this one: judging eighty wines a day might sound like a vacation, but it is grueling, high-stakes work. Serving as the overseas judge for the 54th Hunter Valley Wine Show means navigating a complex ecosystem where every score carries weight. In Australia, reaching a judging panel isn’t an accident; it usually requires years of apprenticeship and rigorous training through the Australian Wine Research Institute. To sit at that table provides a rare opportunity to immerse oneself in a single region by tasting its diverse expressions side-by-side.
Our scores and notes are entered into the system… which helps us then discuss them.
Precision in the Tasting Room
The process demands immense mental stamina to maintain focus through hundreds of pours. Once initial scores are entered into the system, they serve as a roadmap for discussion, allowing the panel to pinpoint exactly where consensus meets contention. The panel chair then calls back specific wines—randomized and stripped of their producer names—to be judged afresh. This prevents judges from becoming emotionally attached to “their” gold medals. During the Chardonnay flights, I noted a refreshing trend toward fruit purity and managed oak use rather than heavy, wood-driven profiles. Our scores and notes are entered into the system… which helps us then discuss them. When the category is strong, we move into intense deliberation to separate the exceptional from the merely good.
The Evolution of Semillon
While Chardonnay offered solid results, the true heart of the Hunter remains its iconic Semillon. Judging the aged library class was a masterclass in patience, featuring bottles spanning from 2006 to 2018. It became immediately clear that the evolution of these wines is glacially slow, requiring a discerning palate to catch the subtle shifts in complexity. Even the younger vintages, which can be difficult to assess due to their high acidity and linear style, provided essential data points for the panels. Beyond the staples, searching for the “silver bullet”—a standout winner from an alternative variety—led me to a compelling Nero d’Avola.
The regional show format ultimately succeeds because it allows judges to step out of the tasting room and directly into the vineyards, building connections with the winemakers behind the labels.
Do you think regional wine shows are still the best way to define a terroir?
Questions & Answers
How do wine judges prepare for professional judging panels in Australia?
Becoming a judge in Australia requires years of dedicated apprenticeship and rigorous training through the Australian Wine Research Institute. Reaching a professional panel is a significant achievement that involves mastering the complex ecosystem of wine evaluation. This extensive preparation ensures that judges possess the necessary skills to handle high-stakes environments where every score carries weight. Through this structured process, experts develop the stamina and precision needed to navigate hundreds of pours during intensive regional shows like the Hunter Valley Wine Show.
What methods are used to ensure impartiality during a wine judging session?
Judging panels maintain objectivity by using randomized tastings where wines are stripped of their producer names. This specific technique prevents judges from becoming emotionally attached to certain labels or previous gold medal winners. Once initial scores are entered into the system, they serve as a roadmap for discussion to identify areas of consensus or contention. The panel chair then calls back specific wines to be judged afresh, ensuring that the final deliberations focus purely on the quality and characteristics of the liquid itself.
Why is judging aged Semillon considered a difficult task?
Judging aged Semillon is challenging because the evolution of these wines occurs at a glacially slow pace. Discerning palates are required to catch the incredibly subtle shifts in complexity that occur over many years. For example, library classes featuring bottles spanning from 2006 to 2018 require immense patience and focus to evaluate accurately. Even younger vintages present difficulties for judges due to their high acidity and linear style, making it essential to collect detailed data points across various age profiles.
How does the regional wine show format benefit the industry?
The regional wine show format succeeds by allowing judges to build direct connections with the winemakers behind the labels. This process enables professionals to step out of the controlled environment of the tasting room and go directly into the vineyards. By interacting with producers, judges gain a deeper understanding of the specific expressions within a single region. This connection helps bridge the gap between the technical assessment of wine in the tasting room and the actual agricultural reality of the vineyard.
Originally reported by Wine Anorak.
