Vin de Champagne Awards 2012

30th OF September 2012

If you appreciate a fine glass of champagne, you will want to take note of the following winemakers celebrated at the Vin de Champagne Awards 2012.

The most coveted wine awards in Australia, the Vin de Champagne Award winners were announced this week by The Champagne Bureau Australia.

Broken in to two categories, the celebrated winners were:

* Professional (for people who gain income from the food and wine industry) - Dan Buckle, VIC – Winemaker, Domaine Chandon

* Amateur (for those who have a passion about champagne) - Matthew Stutsel, NSW – KPMG

The night gathered high profile members of the food and wine industries, champagne aficionados and VIPS to celebrate the Australian wine industry over of course, a few glasses of champagne – (over 2,000 glasses were served in fact).

Chef Justin North prepared a sumptuous six course dinner matched to fifteen champagnes from the houses of Ayala, Bollinger, Charles Heidsieck, Delamotte, G.H. Mumm, Lanson, Laurent –Perrier, Louis Roederer, Moët et Chandon, Nicolas Feuillatte, Pol Roger, Ruinart, Taittinger, Thienot and Veuve Clicquot.

Presented every two years by the Champagne Bureau Australia, Director of the Champagne Bureau, Elisabeth Drysdale said the past winners of this prestigious award include some of the country’s most knowledgeable wine industry personnel, winemakers, journalists, restaurateurs, commentators and educators.

“The award has run for over thirty years and has produced some of the finest champagne palates in the world,” Elisabeth said.

“Past winners actively promote champagne across all aspects of life ensuring that Australia remains in the top ten markets for importing champagne.”

Winners receive a two-week educational tour to the champagne district in France, where they are awarded their medal from Le Comité Champagne and enjoy the legendary Champenois hospitality.

The soiree confirms that Australians are enjoying champagne more than ever. In fact, in 2011 Australia imported a whopping 4,863,783 bottles, placing it in number eighth position for champagne importing.