The Australian Wine Research Institute and the Royal Adelaide Wine Show announced today that Peter Kelly, Winemaker at Peter Lehmann Wines, was awarded Dux of the 2010 Advanced Wine Assessment Course.
The AWRI’s Advanced Wine Assessment Course, held at Magill Estate Winery in Adelaide, 28 September-1 October, put 30 participants through a gruelling four day tasting boot-camp. Participants evaluated a diverse range of more than 316 wines under simulated wine show conditions. Lectures were presented by staff from the AWRI, and contributions were also provided from 14 leading wine show judges, journalists and winemakers.
The Dux of the AWAC is offered a position as an Associate Judge at the next Royal Adelaide Wine Show. Brian Walsh, Chairman of Judges of the Royal Adelaide Wine Show said, “Well trained and skilled wine assessors are essential for ensuring the continued quality of Australian wine. We are delighted to accept Peter as an associate judge for the next show.”
Peter Kelly was pleased to accept the award of Dux. “The four day course was extremely challenging, but it was great to test my sensory assessment skills and reliability,” he said. “The tutored session on detecting current common winemaking taints and faults highlighted our personal areas of strengths and weaknesses and gave me a greater appreciation that I can take back to the winery.”
The delivery of the elite AWRI Advanced Wine Assessment Course continues to be an important career development opportunity for those who wish to strengthen their knowledge in wine show judging and improve or benchmark their sensory skills. Over 840 participants have completed the program since 1992. Enquiries about the course can be made to Virginia Phillips (e: Virginia.phillips@awri.com.au).