ICC Sydney wine tasting underway

20 Jul 2016

Wine producers and distributors from New South Wales and beyond have submitted their best drops to International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney), as the world class venue looks to finalise a coveted wine collection ahead of its opening this December.

Collated by renowned sommelier and ICC Sydney’s Beverage Operations and Cellar Manager, William Wilson, the industry-leading wine list will support ICC Sydney’s innovative Feeding Your Performance philosophy, with a focus on regional producers.

A panel of in-house industry experts, led by Wilson who is qualified with the Court of Master Sommeliers, commenced a series of wine tasting sessions on Monday 18 July 2016 that will continue throughout the remainder of the week. Lynell Peck, Director of Culinary Services, Paul Baines, Retail Services Manager (qualified with the Wine & Spirit Education Trust) and Jimmy Kadwa, Events Floor Coordinator (also qualified with the Court of Master Sommeliers round out the judging panel.

The response from winemakers has been spectacular with the panel set to taste over 800 wines throughout the week.

Wilson said ICC Sydney’s wine collection will comprise of 80 percent NSW wines and shine a spotlight on the nation’s best producers, providing an outstanding platform for local labels to be exposed to a huge number of Australian and international guests.

“More than 200,000 bottles of wine will be served annually to an ongoing calendar of exhibitions, conventions and entertainment acts across the integrated precinct.

“We were happy to hear from many producers within the NSW region and beyond who share our passion for craft and quality – we’ve received bottles from both boutique wineries as well as large scale producers producing high quality drops,” he said.

New South Wales Wine Industry Association President, Tom Ward, has endorsed ICC Sydney’s inclusive approach to its wine selection process, particularly its focus on quality local wines.

“New South Wales has 14 wine regions representing a diversity of climate and terroir unequalled in any Australian state. ICC Sydney has the ability to reach both local and international wine connoisseurs and wine drinkers and we are delighted they have chose to focus on the quality wines of our State,” said Ward.

“From Australia’s oldest continuous wine region – the famous Hunter Valley – to exciting new cool climate regions such as Orange, the Southern Highlands and Tumbarumba, the regions of New South Wales produce wines to appeal to every palate and we look forward to seeing them on ICC Sydney menus when the venue opens this year,” he said.

Australia’s premier convention, exhibition and entertainment precinct will open in December 2016 and underline Sydney’s position as one of the world’s most desirable meeting and event destinations in the world.

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