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A sparkling moscato named 2010 Australia Day Wine of the Year*

Jacob’s Creek Sparkling Moscato has won the National Australia Day Council's Perpetual Trophy for ‘Best Australian Sparkling Wine — Aperitif Style’ at the 2010 Sydney International Wine Competition.

Sydney International Wine Competition director Warren Mason says the Jacob’s Creek Sparkling Moscato is a crowd pleaser, great for celebrating big moments or enjoying quiet ones and makes a great wine ambassador for Australia Day on January 26.

As if to emphasise the wide style diversity of Australian wines, the moscato was the competition judges’ highest-pointed Australian sparkling wine from among many high-profile, higher-priced methode champenoise Aussie sparklers. ‘Moscato’ is the Italian name for wines made from the muscat grape in a style from the northern region of Piedmont, Italy.

“The Jacob’s Creek Sparkling Moscato is low in alcohol, low in price, but not low in flavour! It is truly an all purpose wine of high quality which will appeal to a wide audience of Australian winelovers on Australia Day and throughout the year,” says Mason.

This is the first time a sparkling moscato has won the Australia Day Trophy in the trophy’s 17-year history. “The fact that this wine has a RRP of $12.99, such a very accessible price point, makes it a truly pleasing Australia Day Trophy winner,” says Mason.

Now in its 29th year, the Sydney International Wine Competition is unique in that wines are judged alongside food. This year’s Australia Day Trophy winner was judged against Smoked Salmon Timbales.

Jacob’s Creek Sparkling Moscato won its trophy status from an original category of 74 sparkling wine entries. The 17 finalists included wines from Champagne, Australia and New Zealand.

The full results of the competition, including the Championship Trophy winner and 23 other trophy winners will be announced at a seven-course degustation banquet to be held on 20 February at Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney.

All of the Blue-Gold Award winning wines including the Top 100 Wines of the Competition will be exhibited for public tastings on Saturday 20 March at The Menzies Hotel, Sydney. Online tickets are available from www.top100wines.com

*Based on media statement supplied by Sydney International Wine Competition.