2023 Canberra International Riesling Challenge results

Paulett Wines’ 2022 Alison Botrytis Riesling beat 360 rieslings from 159 wineries at the 2023 Canberra International Riesling Challenge, taking home Best Wine of Challenge, Best Sweet Riesling and Best Australian Riesling on October 13, 2023. 

Paulett Wines is based in the Clare Valley, with founder Neil Paulett sharing winemaking duties with Jarrad Steel, who won the Encouragement Award for Up and Coming Australian Riesling Winemakers. Neil and Alison’s Paulett’s son Matthew joined the business some years ago, he is responsible for viticulture.

Matt, Alison, Neil and Ali Paulett.

Wines from Australia, New Zealand, Germany, France and the USA were entered into the annual competition, the 22nd such event. Other Australian winners included Pikes Wines 2023 Pikes Traditionale Riesling for Best Dry Riesling and The Wilson Vineyard’s Polish Hill River Riesling for Best Provenance Riesling (both Clare Valley producers). The Vintner's Daughter 2023 Semi-Sweet Riesling, Hilltops NSW, took out the award for Best Canberra District Riesling.

The gong for Best American Riesling went to Washington State’s Chateau Ste. Michelle for its 2022 Eroica Riesling, a colab with famed Mosel winemaker Ernst Loosen. Riverby Estate in Marlborough won Best New Zealand Riesling for its 2023 Riverby Estate Eliza Riesling. Germany’s August Eser Rheingau won Best European Riesling for its 2021 Wisselbrunnen Riesling Auslese. 

For full results listing see rieslingchallenge.com.