The show is over

Australia might be a huge country but the world is a small place. After sniffing, swirling and slurping our way through more than 600 wines, the 2006 Mayford Wines Tempranillo won Best Wine of Show.

The wine is made in a tiny place called Porepunkah in Victoria with a population of 589 at the last count and, by strange coincidence it is where I spent the 2006 vintage as a cellar hand. I had dinner on a number of occasions with the couple that run the estate - Eleana Anderson and Bryan Nicholson - so I am really pleased their efforts have been rewarded. Unfortunately only 300 cases were made and they have sold out but it is certainly an estate to watch.

The Tahbilk Marsanne/Viognier took both the best commercial volume prize and best white of the show but it was a tough call with Dal Zotto's 2008 Arneis (co-winner best Italian varietal) just pipped at the line. Max Allen chief of judges named the 2008 Quealy Tocai Friulano his one to watch although I found it overwhelmingly floral.

It has been great to see another side to Australia this week. Although there is still work to do, I have been pleasantly surprised by the standard. While there's no doubting Barossa Shiraz and Hunter Semillon, it's worth seeking out something beyond the mainstream.

• Harpers Says...