McLaren Vale Wine Show & James Halliday Grenache Challenge Welcomes Vintage 2021 Unicorns

Entries to the 2021 MGA Insurance McLaren Vale Wine Show and James Halliday Grenache Challenge opened early last week with organisers and judges alike anticipating to be wowed by new release wines from the 2021 ‘unicorn vintage’.

“After a sensational vintage in 2021, we expect to see some exceptional wines” said Jolene Swayn, Co-Chair of the McLaren Vale Wine Show Committee.

Despite the challenges of 2020, more than 700 wines were submitted for judging across both competitions last year. Show and Challenge organisers have already witnessed a steady stream of wines entered for the 2021 competitions, and early indications suggest that an even higher number of entries could be expected this year.

“We have been thrilled with the response – the day entries opened, we were inundated”, said Jolene.

Interest has been particularly strong for the James Halliday Grenache Challenge, now in its fifth year.

The 2020 Challenge enticed entries from regions far and wide including Swan Valley in Western Australia to the Central Ranges in New South Wales, and the 2021 Challenge is set to welcome a myriad of regions and producers Australia-wide again.

The marriage of place and variety are uniquely expressed through wine, and regional wine shows provide an opportunity for an honest gauge of winemaking movements reflecting lifestyle preferences developing across our landscapes.

Fiano, which once was considered an emerging variety in the region, is now recognised as a strong McLaren Vale varietal and awarded as a trophy in the MGA Insurance McLaren Vale Wine Show.

“Fiano has typically performed very well in the show each year” Jolene said, “so we are proud to be able to give this wonderful variety the recognition it deserves”.

For more information and to enter in the 2021 McLaren Vale Wine Show, please click here.

To enter into the James Halliday Grenache Challenge, please click here.

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