Pinot leads medals at NZIWS

The medal results in the 22nd New Zealand International Wine Show have been announced, with Pinot Noir the “stand out class” for 2026.

NZIWS Convenor, Kingsley Wood, says that Pinot Noirs were awarded eight Double Gold medals and 28 Gold medals, followed by Sauvignon Blanc with seven Double Golds and 24 Golds, with almost all of those wines produced in the current vintage.

To be awarded an NZIWS Gold Medal, a wine will have been judged at least twice by the judging team of 18, which included 13 winemakers.

To be awarded an NZIWS Double Gold Medal, a wine must receive unanimous Gold medal scores from the Chief Judge, the three Assistant Chief Judges, and the three-person Senior Judging team.

Kingsley Wood noted that while entries in popular classes such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir were in line with previous years there were fewer Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet and Syrah wines entered this year.

Broken down by region, Central Otago Pinot Noir topped the table with 18 medals, followed by Marlborough Chardonnay on 15 and Marlborough Pinot Noir and Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay earning 10.

Trophy winners and major awards for Champion Wine and Champion Winemaker will be announced at the NZIWS award evening in Auckland on 16 October.

W: See full medal results at nziws.co.nz