Current Issue #488

Hot 100 Wines heats up for 2019/20

It’s our favourite time of year at The Adelaide Review with the Hot 100 Wines judges in town tasting more than a thousand of the best wines produced in South Australia to narrow down the field for the 2019/20 edition of the Hot 100 Wines book.

New head judge, Vanessa Altmann and her experienced panel of judges are working to discover our State’s most drinkable wines and despite the gruelling number of entries, we suspect they also have a lot of fun doing it.

“We are seeking, above all things, drinkability, we are looking for balance, for wines that are outstanding examples of each class.”

Altmann

“We are looking for balance, for wines that are outstanding examples of each class.” The Hot 100 Wines was the first show to class wines not by grape variety but wine style. Classes range from light, aromatic whites, whites with texture and orange and rosé to fruit forward reds, reds with power and presence and vermouth, dessert and fortified wines.

This aims to ensure that all wines have a place, particularly those that might be experimenting with new varietals, blends or techniques.

The results will be revealed at the launch of the Hot 100 SA Wines book launch party at Queen’s Theatre on Thursday, December 5, featuring all top 10 wines announced on the night accompanied by great South Australian food, Adelaide Gin tastings and cocktails and tunes by local arts legend and DJ, Anne Wiberg.

Tickets are limited and are on sale now – click to buy

Meet our 2019/20 Judges

HEAD JUDGE – VANESSA ALTMANN

Vanessa started making wine in Langhorne Creek while studying winemaking at university. She went from assistant winemaker to winemaker and eventually winery manager over 15 years, always tasting, making, reviewing and learning. The Len Evans Tutorial fast-tracked her wine judging skills and the Governor’s Leadership Foundation Program, completed between hectic vintages, inspired her own business – Switch Organic Wine.

HEAD STEWARD – KIRRILEE HAY

Kirrilee is an Adelaide Hills girl who went to high school in the Barossa. She’s always been surrounded by wine with her first role after uni coordinating the South Australian Regional Awards program celebrating businesses, organisations and individuals in regional communities, including those in the wine industry.

Kirrilee works in the marketing team of the Royal Adelaide Show and Wine Show, and has been a panel steward for the Royal Adelaide Wine Show for three years.

THE PANEL

GILL GORDON-SMITH
Winemaker & Educator
– Fall From Grace

CHARLOTTE HARDY
Owner & Head Winemaker
Charlotte Dalton Wines

MARGOT MUIR
Manager
Edinburgh Cellars

SHAWNA DOMINELLI
Winemaker
Grampians Ale Works

ALEX MACKENZIE
Winemaker
Saltram Wines

VERITY COWLEY
Winemaker
– Temple Bruer Wines

ANITA GOODE
Owner & Winemaker
– Wangolina

SHARON ROMEO
Owner & Manager
– FINO

BRIAN PARKES
CEO
Jam Factory

RYAN DAVIDSON
Owner & Brewer
– Little Bang Brewing Company

KRIS LLOYD
Manager & Head Cheesemaker
– Woodside Cheese Wrights

PABLO THEODOROS
Co-Owner
– Mother Wine & Stanley Bridge Hotel

CLAUDIA LILL
Wine Buying Manager
– Qantas

KATE GOODMAN
Winemaker

JESSICA HODGE
Winemaker

KATIE SPAIN
Wine Writer

DIEGO GARCIABELLIDO
Senior Researcher in Palaeontology / Associate Professor
University of Adelaide

ROB MACK
Owner & Winemaker
– Aphelion Wine Co

Buy Tickets to Hot 100 Wines 2019/20 Awards + Magazine Launch

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