Record number of entries to go before wine judges

The Geographe Wine Show has received a record number of entries, with winemakers and producers showcasing their premium products as they strive for recognition from the expert judging panel.

The panel will be headed by chief judge Julian Langworthy, who was awarded the prestigious title of Winemaker of the Year by James Halliday earlier this month.

It will also include senior judge Erin Larkin and Xanadu Wines winemaker Brendan Carr, who was one of 12 accepted in the world’s best wine show judging school: the Len Evans Wine Tutorial.

This year’s show will also include two wine masterclass events on September 20, offering the public the rare opportunity to sample wines which are difficult to find locally.

Chief steward Megs Kopke said the masterclasses would be based on last year’s overall winner – Talisman Wines’ zinfandel – and a variety of the chief judge’s choosing.

“He is very passionate about chablis, so we have a really exciting chablis masterclass,” she said.

“The 2016s have just been released, all the wines in the class are from a single vineyard from village classification all the way up to grand cru.

“It is a really rare opportunity for people to look at wines like that.”

Bunbury couple Lloyd and Liz Horn will transport zinfandel from Croatia for the masterclass, which is recognised as the birthplace of the variety.

Miss Kopke encouraged people of all levels to get involved.

“If you are brand new to wine, it’s a really exciting and relaxed environment,” she said.

“For the full wine nerds, they are going to get heaps out of it as well.”

The gala dinner will be held at the Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre on September 21, and will feature a DJ and burlesque artist Ginger La Minge as the master of ceremonies.

“It is going to be a really good party and I can’t wait to see who wins,” Miss Kopke said.

Visit here for more information.