One of the state’s largest entertainment complexes has confirmed an increase in its order of Orange wines by 4000 bottles this year.
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Sydney’s International Convention Centre bought $200,000 worth of wine from the region soon after opening its doors in December 2016, with that figure set to grow again.
After judging at last week’s Orange Wine Show, cellar manager for the Darling Harbour venue William Wilson said it would be stocked with 30,000 bottles from Orange, up from 26,000 last year.
There’s such an impressive range of Chardonnays coming out of Orange, I would heartily recommend them to anyone,
- William Wilson
At an average price of $50 a bottle, “it’s a pretty significant figure,” said Mr Wilson.
A quarter of the ICC’s wine stocks come from 13 Orange wineries, including three of only five sold by the glass, after a Ross Hill Cabernet Sauvignon knocked a Barossa Valley Shiraz off the list.
“I felt a bit ashamed that we didn’t have all NSW wines on the list and then it turned out the Ross Hill was selling better anyway so it was an easy choice,” he said.
While Pinot Grigio remains popular at the centre, Mr Wilson said a sparkling label – Printhie’s Vintage Brut – was outselling the other reds and whites from Orange.
Having tasted Printhie’s Orange Wine Show-winning NV – “a real cracker” – Mr Wilson said he has shortlisted it, alongside a Rowlee Wines Rosé and a Tamburlaine Organic Wines Malbec, for future listing.
“Tamburlaine’s bright red stood out in the glass. It’s going to be a real success with dinner events,” he added.
The sommelier said during three days of sampling Orange’s finest drops it was the Chardonnays that stood out for him.
“There’s such an impressive range of Chardonnays coming out of Orange, I would heartily recommend them to anyone,” he said.
Tom Ward of Swinging Bridge Wines and president of the NSW Wine Industry Association said since opening in 2016 the ICC had quickly become a cellar door to the world.
“With ICC Sydney’s backing, local winemakers and brewers have reported a positive impact on their bottom line, particularly the lesser established labels,” he said.
“ICC Sydney’s focus on Orange adds to our brand as a quality wine region that requires representation on every Sydney wine list.”
Mr Wilson said Small Acres Cyder’s Appscato and Sparkling Perry labels have also found their way onto the venue’s drinks menu.
“The region is also highly regarded for its famous apple and pear orchard and is increasingly brewing some very noteworthy ciders,” he said.
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