One of Charles Sturt University (CSU) Winery’s sparkling wines has taken out the trophy for best sparkling in the prestigious 2009 NSW Wine Awards.

 

The 2005 Limited Release Pinot Noir Chardonnay, which uses grapes grown in the cool climate Tumbarumba region, has taken out the Best Sparkling Award from a field of 14 contenders which represented the best wines in the state.

 

“Tumbarumba is well-suited to the production of sparkling wine because its cool climate allows flavour development while retaining the grapes’ natural acidity,” said CSU winemaker Mr Andrew Drumm.

 

“The Winery has sourced grapes from the Barclay family in Tumbarumba for over 10 years and the 2005 award winner is made solely from their fruit.

 

“We’ve been making sparkling wines at the Winery since its inception and it’s an integral part of our wine education program delivered through the School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences at Wagga Wagga.”

A new Bachelor of Viticulture and Wine Science degree will start at CSU in 2010 which will provide students with the knowledge and skills in the science of growing grapes and making wine, preparing them for a successful career in the wine industry. Read more here.

 

Due to its popularity, the 2005 Limited Release Pinot Noir Chardonnay has sold out.

 

The sparkling wine is now in the running for the 2009 NSW Wine of the Year to be announced on Monday 19 October at the NSW Wine Awards Gala Dinner in Sydney.

 

CSU’s sparkling wines have received seven medals in the past four years, including three gold medals. The 2002 Limited Release Pinot Noir Chardonnay was a runner up in the 2006 NSW Wine Awards. 

The Charles Sturt University Winery produces a range of premium table, fortified and sparkling wines and since its inception in 1977 have been awarded 26 trophies, 95 gold, 179 silver and 449 bronze medals in National Wine Shows. The Winery is rated as a 4.5 star winery in the 2008 and 2009 James Halliday Wine Companion, and was a finalist and received an Award of Distinction in the Tourism Winery Category of the 2009 Inland NSW Tourism Awards. Winemaker Mr Andrew Drumm will attend the NSW Wine Awards Gala Dinner in Sydney on Monday, 19 October. The CSU Cellar Door, in McKeown Drive at CSU at Wagga Wagga, is open for tastings and sales from 11am to 5pm Monday to Friday and from 11am to 4pm on Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays.  Contact the Cellar Door on 02 6933 2435 or send an email.