There are 100 exhibitors for the 2010 show and a total of 777 wines will be tasted by an expert panel of wine judges.

Bob Campbell, the acclaimed New Zealand wine man and one of just 264 masters of wine in the world has taken on the role as the Master of Wine for this year’s prestigious regional show.

Chairman of Judges is Brokenwood’s chief winemaker Mr Iain Riggs.

Mr Riggs said the number of red wine entries had been down as a result of the 08 vintage where late rain made difficulties for the red harvest, and as a result the show this year is dominated by white wines.

He said typically there were an even amount of reds and whites, but this year there were 62 per cent whites and the rest were reds.

Wines ageing under screw cap are just starting to come up for judging, with Mr Riggs happy to report that the 02’s and 03’s were ‘as fresh as a daisy’ when opened, which he said was good news.

There are 33 classes of wines from current vintages through to museum that are being judged at the Singleton Infantry Centre.

The presentation of awards will be at a special luncheon on Friday at Brokenwood Wines when the winner from each category and the overall winner will be announced.