WORLD-CLASS judges will rank hundreds of wines from throughout Australia at Rutherglen this week.
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The 131st Rutherglen Wine Show, held in conjunction with the Australian Fortified Wine Show, has attracted entries from every Australian state to the Rutherglen Showgrounds.
Rutherglen Wine Show chairman Chris Pfeiffer said the wine shows combined would rate 1100 entries this year.
Mr Pfeiffer said Rutherglen was the natural setting for the Australian Fortified Wine Show.
"The spiritual home for fortifieds wines is Rutherglen," he said.
"We always put on a very strong show.
"Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney together don't put on as big a show as us."
Mr Pfeiffer said Hong Kong-based wine judge Corinne Mui was among 10 judges at this year's shows.
Ms Mui is also an ambassador for Wine Australia
"It's an opportunity to expose her to the wines of our region," Mr Pfeiffer said.
"China is still our No. 1 export destination with 35 per cent of our wine exports going to China; it's a $1.2 billion industry."
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From Monday until Thursday afternoon, panels of three judges will rate wines by type, variety and age at the Henderson Pavilion.
Shiraz made up 15 per cent of the entries with cabernet and chardonnay the next biggest varietals.
There are special awards for King Valley and North East varietals such as prosecco and durif.
The Rutherglen Wine Show is one of the longest-running in the country, pausing only during World War I and World War II.
Awards and trophies will be presented at the Rutherglen Wine Show presentation dinner on Thursday, September 26.
The Pickled Sisters Cafe will offer a four-course meal, which will be matched to award-winning wines from previous shows.
The presentation dinner at the Rutherglen Memorial Hall runs 7pm to 11.30pm.
A public tasting of Rutherglen Wine Show wines will be held on Friday, September 27, in the Henderson Pavilion, Rutherglen Showgrounds.
Patrons can sample some of the country's and region's best table, sparkling and fortified wines, including award and trophy-winning wines from this year's show.
It runs 6.30pm to 10pm.
Bookings advised as numbers are limited.
