Hunter’s Wines top sparkling wine, Hunter’s MiruMiru™ Reserve 2010, has been crowned New Zealand’s Best Sparkling Wine at the 2015 Champagne and Sparkling Wine World Championships in London. Success started with both Hunter’s MiruMiru™ NV and MiruMiru™ Reserve 2010 wines winning gold medals at the May judging. Revealed at the first ever Official Awards Dinner, Hunter’s then received two Best in Class Awards: Hunter’s MiruMiru™ NV – Best Value New Zealand Sparkling Wine, and Hunter’s MiruMiru™ Reserve 2010 – Best New Zealand Vintage Blend. Jane Hunter’s nephew, Edward Macdonald, was on hand to receive the awards.
Jane Hunter was excited with the news saying “It’s overwhelming to receive these fantastic results. It’s also fitting to share this success with Tom Stevenson who was there at the launch of MiruMiru™ on top of New Zealand House in London back in 1997. We have been working hard on these wines for many years so it is a rewarding feeling to receive this wonderful recognition.”
Hunter’s sparkling winemaker, Inus van der Westhuizen said “Stunning results and one I am particularly happy with. The whole winemaking team puts a lot of time and effort into these wines so it is always good to know it is all worth it.”
Marketing Manager, Jeremy Adsett added “MiruMiru™ has quickly become a flagship wine for Hunter’s and we couldn’t be happier to receive the top award. The MiruMiru™ wines have become synonymous for quality and value, which we strive for in all of our wines.”
Both MiruMiru™ wines are ‘méthode traditionelle’ (or traditional method) representing the traditional secondary bottle fermentation which creates the bubbles. The wines are made using traditional champagne varieties – Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. The Non-Vintage spends are minimum 18 months on lees in the bottle and the Reserve a minimum of 3 years. It is a time consuming process that requires patience but the results speak for themselves.
Hunter’s Wines are recognised as one of the pioneers of the Marlborough wine industry and one of New Zealand’s best known family owned wineries. Established by Irishman, the late Ernie Hunter in 1979, the company is now headed by Jane Hunter, CNZM, OBE.
Some 30 years on, Jane is the most awarded women in the New Zealand wine industry with an impressive set of accolades, including an O.B.E and was made a Companion to the New Zealand Order of Merit. Jane is backed by a great team and three generations of family.
After winning immediate acclaim in 1986, now with over 185 gold medals, more than 30 trophies and innumerable international awards and accolades later, Hunter’s wines are still breaking new ground.