Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest The first Wine Pinnacle Awards winners were announced at Resorts World Sentosa on the evening of 10 October. It is the first of its kind nomination-based wine awards which provided an open platform that allows for greater inclusivity for various wine brands. The 27 categories include honors for sustainability, young winemakers, and wines from established regions which are currently under the radar. It has given many wines that would not commonly be found in traditional wine awards a platform to be recognized and shine. The Domaine Coche-Dury bagged the Grand Jury award, which was selected by the Wine Pinnacle Awards Committee out of 27 categories. “The wines of Coche-Dury are the epitome of great, age-worthy white Burgundy,” shares committee chair, and the first Asian Master of Wine, Jeannie Cho Lee. “Their global influence as a beacon of quality and dedication is widely recognized, but what many may not be aware of, is that the estate remains small; still family-run, dedicated to quality and modest in price when the wines leave the cellar. We applaud the family’s ongoing dedication to crafting incredible, intense wines and influencing generations of white wine growers around the world,” she adds. Committee members of the Wine Pinnacle Awards (from left) Oz Clarke, Kenichi Ohashi, Doug Frost, Andreas Larson, and Jeannie Cho Lee Among the awards, China once again proves that they can produce world-class wine with Ao Yun, Yunnan, China winning the title for Best Chinese Red. The Most Thought-Provoking Wine award (Black Swan Of The Year) was awarded to Gravner, Anfora Pinot Grigio Venezia Giulia IGT, Friuli-Venezia Giulia from Italy. “Gravner is a daring winemaker that has masterfully taken ancient winemaking techniques, refined them to modern standards and created an exciting array of bold and expressive wines that the wine world has fallen in love with,” says 2007 ASI Best Sommelier of the World, Andreas Larsson. Environment conscious brand Miguel Torres, Familia Torres from Spain, bagged the Best Friend Of The Earth award because of the company’s focus on sustainable practices. And Best Young Winemaker Of The Year under 40 was given to Morgan Twain-Peterson MW under the Bedrock Wine Company from the USA, makers of excellent wines from old California vines. “We are excited to be able to recognize and reward those who contribute to this dynamic wine industry. We are learning and already thinking of ways to improve the Wine Pinnacle Awards in the coming years, with a clear goal to provide an authoritative platform to showcase the most deserving wines and wine personalities from around the world,” says Jeannie Cho Lee. Award winners and committee members of the inaugural Wine Pinnacle Awards 2019 Here’s a list of all the 2019 winners: Grand Jury Award: Domaine Coche-Dury Best 1996 Vintage Bordeaux: 1996 Château Latour, Pauillac, France Best 1999 Vintage Barolo: 1999 Giacomo Conterno, Monfortino, Barolo Riserva DOCG, Italy Best 2002 Vintage Champagne: 2002 Salon, Cuvée’ S’ Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs, Champagne, France Best 2005 Vintage Burgundy Red: 2005 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Romanee-Conti Grand Cru, Côte de Nuits, France Best 2005 Vintage Rioja/Ribera Del Duero: 2005 Vega Sicilia, Unico Gran Reserva, Ribera del Duero, Spain Best 2007 Vintage Tuscan Red: 2007 Tenuta San Guido, Sassicaia Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy Best 2008 Vintage Australian Shiraz/Syrah: 2008 Henschke, Hill of Grace Shiraz, Eden Valley, Australia Best 2008 Vintage Burgundy White: 2008 Domaine Coche-Dury, Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru, Côte de Beaune, France Best 2009 Vintage Cabernet Based California Wine: 2009 Screaming Eagle, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, USA Best Recent Release: New World Pinot Noir: Ata Rangi, Pinot Noir, Martinborough, New Zealand Best Recent Release: Non-Burgundy Chardonnay: Kumeu River, Mate’s Vineyard Chardonnay, Auckland, New Zealand Best Recent Release: Non-Champagne Sparkling Wine: Gusbourne Brut Reserve, Kent, England Best Recent Release: Sauvignon Blanc: Didier Dagenneau, Pouilly Fume Silex, Loire Valley, France Best Recent Release: South American Red: Almaviva, Puente Alto, Chile Hidden Treasure: Australia: Tyrrell’s Wines, Vat 1 Semillon, Hunter Valley, Australia Hidden Treasure: Bordeaux: Château Roc de Combe, Bordeaux, France Hidden Treasure: Burgundy: Mark Haisma, Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru Hidden Treasure: Piedmont: G.D. Vajra, Petracine Langhe Riesling, Piedmont, Italy Best Chinese Red: Ao Yun, Yunnan, China Best Organic/Natural Wine Of The Year: Domaine Marcel Lapierre, Cuvée Marcel Lapierre, Beaujolais, France Best Rosé In The World: Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia, Gran Reserva Rosado, Rioja DOCa, Spain Black Swan Of The Year (Most Thought-Provoking Wine): Gravner, Anfora Pinot Grigio Venezia Giulia IGT, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy Best Friend Of The Earth (Most Environmentally-Conscious): Miguel Torres, Familia Torres, Spain Best Young Winemaker Of The Year (Under 40): Morgan Twain-Peterson MW (Mr.), Bedrock Wine Co., USA Top Wine Influencer (Under 45): Pascaline Lepeltier MS (Ms.), Racines NY, USA Unsung Hero: István Szepsy (Mr.), Szepsy, Hungary Wine connoisseurs and aspiring wine aficionados can look forward to tasting the award-winning bottles and learning from the series of masterclasses on 11 and 12 October 2019. Visit www.thegreatfestival.sg. for ticket information.