Charles Sturt University Winery has taken out the prestigious Best Sparkling Trophy at the 2013 Cowra Wine Show. CSU winemaker Mr Andrew Drumm was in Cowra for the Trophy Presentation Dinner held at the Cowra Civic Centre on Saturday 10 August. “The Cowra Wine Show attracts thousands of wines from around the country, so it is a significant win for us. We have been making great sparkling wine for many years so it is good to get the industry recognition that this trophy gives us,” he said. The winning wine, 2009 Reserve Sparkling, was made from fruit grown in Tumbarumba and is bottle fermented in the traditional method used for making fine sparkling wines. The wine is a blend of 70 per cent Pinot Noir and 30 per cent Chardonnay. “The Pinot Noir contributes a subtle red fruit sweetness to the nose and palate whilst the Chardonnay fruit developed typical citrus characters ideal for top quality sparkling wine,” Mr Drumm said. “The nose of the wine is complex, with restrained red fruits and citrus and subtle yeast characters. The palate is very fresh, with the complex citrus, biscuity characters coming to the fore. The wine has a line of acidity which will allow it to age for several years and gain further complexity.”