Each year since 1957, in an effort to raise the standard of New Zealand wines, a competition and a wine tasting function are arranged by the Department of Industries and Commerce in association with the Viticultural Advisory Committee of the Department of Agriculture. The international system of judging, which is used in Europe, the United States, and Australia, is used. Under this system awards are given for all wines meeting prescribed standards. Wines qualify for gold, silver, or bronze medals or the equivalent certificates according to a points system. The judges consider each wine separately and award points under four headings: colour, 2 points; clarity, 2 points; bouquet, 4 points; and general impression, 12 points – making a maximum possible of 20 points. Awards are given to wines reaching the following standards:

Gold: 17·01 points or over.

Silver: 15·01–17·0 points.

Bronze: 13·01–15·0 points.

There are 11 classes in the New Zealand Wine Competition and each is divided into two divisions – Commercial and Exhibition – depending on whether the producer holds prescribed minimum stocks of the wine. The classes are:

by Bernard John Foster, M.A., Research Officer, Department of Internal Affairs, Wellington.