Held in conjunction with the Australian Fortified Wine Show, the event provides an opportunity for growers in Rutherglen and the North East to benchmark their wines against competitors in the marketplace, according to chairman Chris Pfeiffer.

He said world-class judges had spent four days assessing more than 1000 entries from across Australia for this year’s show ahead of the awards presentation dinner on Thursday, September 27.

And there’s no doubt the region more than holds its own when it comes to producing quality wines.

“Rutherglen is not called the home of fortified wine for no reason,” Mr Pfeiffer said.

“This is the most heavily supported fortified wine show in the country.”

Panels of three judges have been kept busy at Rutherglen Showground’s Henderson Pavilion tasting and testing wines by type, variety and age.

Gold, silver and bronze medals are then awarded in each category before judging of the best in show.

“It’s harder to judge a chardonnay against a reisling or a muscat because it’s like judging apples and oranges,” Mr Pfeiffer explained.

“(But to get an overall best wine) you look at the wine for its ‘completeness’.”

Mr Pfeiffer said every wine received confidential feedback as part of the judging process. 

And he said Rutherglen Wine Show medals were still recognised by wine consumers and winemakers as the mark of a great wine.

“It’s an important marketing tool for wine producers and particularly for Rutherglen to benchmark our table wines in a very competitive environment.”

And while Thursday is all about the exhibitors and award presentations, the public is being invited to sample some of the enticing entries at a public tasting on Friday, September 28.

The event will be held at the Henderson Pavilion from 6.30pm to 10pm (tickets $65 per person).

The public tasting will feature some of Australia’s and the region’s best table, sparkling and fortified wines including 2018 award and trophy winners, paired with selected locally produced finger foods.

The Rutherglen Wine Show, one of the oldest wine shows in Australia, is presented by the Rutherglen Agricultural Society.

Mr Pfeiffer, who has a distinguished career in the wine industry, is a long-standing advocate for promoting the region’s growers.

 In 2012 he was awarded an OAM for his service to the industry.