This is a copy of an article by Anthony Madigan published on WBM online. With thanks.

Winemaker Caroline Dunn says it’s Mataro’s turn to shine, having taken out Best Wine of Show at the Barossa Wine Show last night.

Red by Caroline Dunn 2022 Mataro won best Mataro/Mourvedre as well as the top gong.

“With a song in my heart this morning, I am over the moon to have been awarded the top gong last night, and mostly really thrilled that a Mataro won the trophy for Best Barossa Wine,” she says.

“It’s wonderful to see the variety come up trumps to win an award that has traditionally been dominated by Shiraz.

Caroline says that while Mataro has been grown in the Barossa for many decades, it has tended to have been in the shadows as the ‘M’ component of a blend.

“But now is Mataro’s time in the spotlight and I believe we’ll continue to see it shine and go from strength to strength as more and more winemakers and consumers recognise the charms of this beguiling variety that has it all… generosity, complexity, structure, spice and delicious fruit flavours,” she says.

“It’s now a highly sought-after variety in the Barossa, and the future for Mataro is looking bright.

“So much so that the Barossa Wine Show introduced a Mataro class last year due to the increasing number of varietal wines being made in the region.

“Sue Bell as chair of judges has encouraged a final trophy taste-off without the judges knowing the variety, simply choosing the wine they feel best reflects the Barossa.

“It’s an honour as a champion of Mataro to see it step up and perfectly fit this bill.”

Caroline remains philosophical about the future of the Australian wine industry.

“There will always be swings and roundabouts in the wine industry and times may be challenging for many right now,” she says, “but I believe that challenges breed opportunities and that with the world-class standard of wines Australia continues to produce, we will come through this with a bright future ahead for the industry as a whole.