LEETON’S Toorak Winery has received exciting news after competing at the largest and most prestigious wine and spirits competition in China.
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The winery was awarded a double gold, four golds, two silvers and a bronze best value 2015 medal at the China Wine and Spirits Awards (CWSA).
The awards are officially the biggest wine and spirit competition in Hong Kong and China, with the show attracting more than 5000 wines and spirits from 35 countries.
In recent years, the Chinese wine market has become the largest in the world, and the growth is expected to continue.
Sales are forecast to grow by as much as 60 per cent by 2017 due largely to a series of trade agreements that have been secured between China and various wine-producing countries.
This will result in a drop of the 14 per cent import tariff.
This year is poised to be an outstanding year for Chinese wine sales, according to Toorak Winery.
The CWSA brings winemakers from all over the world together to compete in a blind tasting held by a panel of judges comprised of the most important distributors, importers, hoteliers, sommeliers, and retailers from throughout China and Hong Kong.
Toorak Winery’s chief winemaker Robert Bruno said the opinions of these tastemakers reflect what wines will succeed in the regional market.
"It is an honour to receive acclaim at this year's CWSA, as it proves that our products stack up against some of the most popular in the world,” he said.
“We look forward to expanding our presence in China and Hong Kong, and our CWSA medals are sure to help our efforts.”
Among those taking part in the awards were some of the world's most recognisable winemakers and brands such as Wolf Blass, The Glenrothes, DFJ Vinhos, Charles Mignon Champagne and Jacob’s Creek.
Mr Bruno said Toorak Winery performed admirably alongside such highly-regarded names.
It isn’t the first time Toorak has enjoyed success at the awards.
In 2013 the business scooped the pool with two gold and two silver medals.
Toorak’s sales and marketing manager Renee Paton was also impressed with the various accolades.
“We at Toorak Winery are honoured and thank our whole team for their expertise,” she said. We will be displaying our CWSA medals on bottles with pride.”
According to CWSA judge and Made in Italy Ltd marketing director Emilio Moiragha Toorak Winery should be more than impressed with its results and said it would hold the business in good stead in many markets.
"CWSA-winning wines are appropriate for this market as they have already passed the ultimate professional selection."
CWSA judge and sales and marketing director for Chateau Burgundy Limited Ho Chi Wan reported "the CWSA results reflect the taste of the buyers in the Greater China. It's absolutely essential for the buyers to pick their wines that will be the big hitters”.
Toorak will be entering more shows.