Wine Pinnacle Awards 2022 ends on a high note

AT THE second edition of the Wine Pinnacle Awards (WPA) on Tuesday (Nov 1), 17 wines and a winemaker won accolades at a gala event that marked the prestigious event’s return after a two-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Two new categories were added this year to address Covid-19 and how it affected wine consumption. They were Comfort Wine, and Pandemic Hero, which is awarded to a wine personality.

“In terms of the nomination process, what was surprising was the high level of consensus in each category. In most cases, it was a clear-cut win for the award recipient. That means the winners in each category really won by a majority,” said Hong Kong-based Jeannie Cho Lee MW, the Technical Committee chairperson for this year’s event.

Lee and four other international wine experts from Japan, Sweden, the UK and the US formed the Technical Committee. They were responsible for establishing the award categories and the nomination structure, forming a panel of jury members from around the world, and overseeing the nomination process to ensure a focus on diversity, quality and merit. 

The Pandemic Hero category was established to celebrate a wine professional who contributed the most to the community and industry at the height of the pandemic period. This award was presented unanimously by the Technical Committee to Barbara Banke, chairman and proprietor of Jackson Family Wines. 

“We are cognisant of the difficulties faced by many people in the wine industry over the past few years. Barbara Banke and Jackson Family Wines are the epitome of a pandemic hero, with their outstanding contributions to a society significantly affected by the pandemic,” said Lee.

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She added that she was most looking forward to announcing the new Comfort Wine category. “Comfort wines were defined as more affordable, easy-to-enjoy wines that bring everyday comfort and pleasure – whether it is a red, white or rose wine.” 

The award for Comfort White went to 2019 Joh. Jos. Prum, Riesling Wehlener Sonnenuhr from Mosel, Germany. The winner of Comfort Red was 2019 Domaine Jean Foillard, Morgon from Beaujolais, France. And the recipient for best Comfort Rose was 2020 Chateau Miraval, Cotes de Provence Rose from Provence, France. The wines in these categories were all under 40 euros (S$56).

Meanwhile, Best Friend of the Earth was presented to Domaine Zind-Humbrecht winery in Alsace, France. Doug Frost, MW & MS of the US, said: “In my opinion, ‘Best Friend of the Earth’ is the most important category of all. If we are to have a future in wine and on earth, we must better steward our place on the earth.”  

Some of the Best Recent Release winners included Cabernet Sauvignon: 2018 Ridge Vineyards, Monte Bello, Santa Cruz Mountains, USA, and Spanish Red: 2010 Vega Sicilia, Unico Gran Reserva, Ribera del Duero, Spain. 

Under the Best Mature Wine category, The Best 1996, 1998, 2000 Vintage Bordeaux Red was presented to 1996 Chateau Latour, and the Best 1999, 2002 Vintage Burgundy Red went to 1999 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, La Tache Grand Cru Monopole. 2008 Louis Roederer, Cristal Millesime Brut received the Best 2002, 2004, 2008 Vintage Champagne. 

The eight-hands, four-course collaboration gala dinner was specially curated by four renowned chefs from around the world. They were chef Arnaud Dunand Sauthier (two Michelin stars, Maison Dunand Bangkok), chef Cedric Vongerichten (Wayan, New York), chef Guillaume Galliot (three Michelin stars, Caprice Hong Kong) and chef Olivier Bellin (two Michelin stars, L’Auberge des Glazicks). Each presented a course paired with rare wines from Domaine de Montille, Chateau Leoville-Las Cases, and Weingut Joh. Jos. Prum.

The event at Resorts World Sentosa hosted 500 of the leading figures and luminaries in the wine world, which included distinguished winemakers, top wine professionals, and wine enthusiasts. The five-day programme also featured exclusive wine dinners, industry masterclasses, and a two-day symposium.

The Winners

Mature Wines

Best 2002, 2004, 2008 Vintage Champagne:  2008 Louis Roederer, Cristal Millesime Brut Best 1999, 2002 Vintage Burgundy Red:  1999 Domaine de la Romanee-Conti, La Tache Grand Cru Monopole Best 1996, 1998, 2000 Vintage Bordeaux Red:  1996 Chateau Latour Best 2001, 2004 Vintage Piedmont Red:  2001 Giacomo Conterno, Monfortino Barolo Riserva DOCG Best 2004, 2006 Vintage Tuscan Red: 2004 Tenuta San Guido, Sassicaia Bolgheri

Comfort Wines

White (Under 40 Euros): 2019 Joh. Jos. Prum, Riesling Wehlener Sonnenuhr, Mosel, Germany Red (Under 40 Euros): 2019 Domaine Jean Foillard, Morgon, Beaujolais, France Rosé (Under 40 Euros): 2020 Chateau Miraval, Cotes de Provence Rose, Provence, France

Pandemic Hero (Personality)

Barbara Banke (Jackson Family Wines)

Best Recent Releases

Sauvignon-Blanc: 2018 Chateau Margaux, Pavillon Blanc du Chateau Margaux, Bordeaux, France Riesling: 2019 Joh. Jos. Prum, Wehlener Sonenuhr Riesling Auslese, Mosel, Germany Burgundy White: 2019 Domaine Bonneau du Martray, Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru Chardonnay (ex-Burgundy): 2018 Leeuwin Estate, Art Series Chardonnay, Margaret River, Australia Cabernet Sauvignon: 2018 Ridge Vineyards, Monte Bello, Santa Cruz Mountains, USA Pinot Noir (ex-Burgundy): 2018 Tolpuddle Vineyard, Pinot Noir, Tasmania, Australia Rhone Red: 2016 Chateau Rayas, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, France Spanish Red: 2010 Vega Sicilia, Unico Gran Reserva, Ribera del Duero, Spain

Best Friend of the Earth (Winery)

Domaine Zind-Humbrecht, Alsace, France