New World wins at SIP

15 wines from around the world, priced to appeal to all budgets, were selected for exclusive inclusion in the National Off-Licence Association’s Gold Star 2012-2013 Wine Collection, unveiled recently at NOffLA”s annual SIP Drinks Show 2012 held at the Ely Bar & Brasserie, IFSC, Dublin 2.

Taserra Wine Merchants picked up the ‘Wine of the Year 2012-2013’ award for Cousiño-Macul Antiguas Reservas Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 (Maipo Valley, Chile) while ‘White Wine of the Year 2012-2013’ went to Cassidy Wine Merchants for Tiki Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2011 (Marlborough, New Zealand).

With over 500 wines typically available in any NOffLA outlet, the Gold Star Awards enable consumers to identify some of the very best wines available in Ireland. The winning wines were awarded on the basis of appearance, smell, taste and value for money. Each of the 15 award-winners is available in NOffLA’s  330-plus independent off-licences around the country and will be clearly identifiable on shelf.

According to NOffLA Chairperson, Evelyn Jones, the Gold Star Awards play a key role in communicating the variety of excellent wines available in Ireland, at different price points.

“The awards are categorised by price so have gained a reputation, over the past ten years, for being the essential guide for selecting great wines at any price,” she said, “There is sometimes a misconception that the higher the price, the better the quality of wine. But, four of NOffLA’s Gold Star winners retail at under €8 so we are confident that consumers will be able to pick up some superb wines, whether they want to spend €7.99 or €14.99.

“The Gold Star Awards brochure, which includes tasting notes, will also provide shoppers with the confidence to try new wines that are selected and recommended by an expert tasting panel.”