Supermarket retailer New World announced they are now accepting entries for its 2019 New World Wine Competition.

The competition, which aims to find the best and most affordable wines accessible for shoppers with a focus on $25 or less bottles, rewards winners with nationwide distribution through more than 135 New World stores across the country and comprehensive publicity support in-store and out.

To join, entrants must have at least 4000 bottles available to meet consumer demand, 2000 for niche varietals. This threshold has been adjusted this year to encourage an even wider spread of styles and producers to enter, New World said.

Entries must be received on or before June 21 and will be confirmed by e-mail on June 24 and sample bottles must be received by July 12. Late samples can be accepted until July 26 by arrangement.

For wine packaged in 750ml or 375ml bottles, four sample bottles are required for judging and for wine packaged in cans or bottles less than 375ml, 12 samples are required for judging.

Results of the competition, which is now in its 17th year, will be confirmed by e-mail to the entrant’s e-mail addresses on August 5.

According to New World, entries to the awards, from both New Zealand and overseas wineries, have continued to grow year-on-year, illustrating the strength of the competition for both wineries and consumers.

Corey Hall, co-founder of wine brand Harwood Hall which won the top spot in the 2018 New World Wine Awards, said the benefits of their win have gone well beyond the initial distribution opportunity.

“As a new name in a very competitive market, the attention that surrounded the awards results was invaluable to growing awareness of our brand,” Hall said.

“Not only are consumers now more confident to purchase our winning Sauvignon Blanc, they are intrigued to try other varietals in our range.”

Hall said the visibility they’ve had with New World supermarket owners and liquor managers through the process has also provided a new route to grow their distribution and sales opportunities over the long-term.

“Now, more often than not, we can direct people keen to try our wines to their local New World store.”

The supermarket retailer said underscoring the value of the Gold medal sticker on every winning bottle is the integrity of the New World Wine Awards judging process, which uses blind-tasting protocols and the same 100-point scale as other leading wine competitions.

Chair of judges Jim Harré will return to the awards for his 12th year to oversee a panel of 16 experts including wine industry consultant and Master of Wine Nick Bulleid from Australia.

The New World Wine Awards judging will take place over three days at Wellington’s Westpac Stadium in late July. Wines will be awarded Gold, Silver and Bronze medals, with the best in each category re-tasted to determine the Champion of each varietal, plus the overall Champion Red and Champion White.

Results will be announced later in the year.