A tradition of excellence by one of the region's most well-known sweet wine producers continues.
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De Bortoli Wines picked up the trophy for the Best Sweet Wine for their De Bortoli Deen Vat 5 Botrytis Semilion 2018 at the International Wine and Spirit Competition in London.
The winery was also shortlisted as the best sweet wine producer.
The Deen Vat 5 Botrytis Semillon is a different style to the famed Noble One and senior winemaker Julie Mortlock describes it's 'little sister'.
"Darren De Bortoli started the whole journey in 1982. It's a quite a privilege to look after this wine," Ms Mortlock said.
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Ms Mortlock said it was great to be recognised in international competitions as it was often against some of the best wines from all over the world.
She said getting the balance between humidity, botrytis and the grape's sweetness was a delicate balancing act.
"You've got to learn patience, if you harvest too early there's not enough botrytis or enough sweetness. Too late and you risk other moulds infecting the flavour," she said.
"Every vintage throws up its challenges and some days mother nature isn't helpful."
While it can be difficult to deliver the award-winning consistency each year, Ms Mortlock said it was "part of the joy and journey of looking after these wines".
The majority of the fruit grown for the Botrytis Semillon is grown by De Bortoli themselves.
Ms Mortlock said since 1982 only two vintages had been missed - and it was during some of the wettest years on record.
Executive director Victor De Bortoli said the United Kingdom was an important international market for the business.
"It's an accolade for our winemaking team and a great award to have to use for our international marketing," he said.
Mr De Bortoli said it was great to see the range of sweet and fortified wines doing well in overseas wine shows.
It's not just the international circuit where De Bortoli's wine has performed, the Deen Vat 5 Botrytis Semillon 2017 was an award winner in Adelaide, while the 2018 Noble One was recognised in Rutherglen and Cowra.
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Declan Rurenga
Declan Rurenga was the editor of Griffith's Area News and Leeton's Irrigator until September 2023. Before landing at the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, he reported news in Junee, Wagga Wagga, Orange and Cootamundra.
Declan Rurenga was the editor of Griffith's Area News and Leeton's Irrigator until September 2023. Before landing at the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, he reported news in Junee, Wagga Wagga, Orange and Cootamundra.
