One of the biggest international promotions of riesling starts next week in Canberra.
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The founder of the Canberra International Riesling Challenge, winemaker Ken Helm, will launch the 20th consecutive challenge event on Monday at the Albert Hall.
The challenge has attracted 502 entries from 228 wineries from across nine riesling producing countries.
Judges from China, the UK, New Zealand, and Australia will rate the wines by region, country and the world over three days with results announced on Friday evening at an awards ceremony at the Hotel Realm.
The week will conclude with one of the biggest consumer tastings of riesling in the world.
The public will be able to taste some of the 502 entries at the Albert Hall on Saturday from 11am to 3pm. Entry is $50, with a free glass.
A feature of this year's entries is what may be the first ever entry from China to an Australian wine show.
CIRC chair James Service said the development of the challenge and hard work over the last 19 years by all involved was very gratifying.
"This is particularly so when one remembers the early days when riesling was regarded as a cheap low-quality wine. Riesling's profile is now that of the greatest white wine in the world," Mr Service said.
