Mandoon Estate Cabernet Merlot a trophy drop

• WA produces 12 per cent of the value of nation's wine

• WA produces 20 per cent of nation's premium wines

• The wine industry contributes $700million to the WA economy and is a major generator of employment in the regions

Mandoon Estate winery's Cabernet Merlot Margaret River 2012 has been awarded the JS Gladstones Trophy for the wine showing the best, and most distinctive, regional characteristics.

Agriculture and Food Minister Ken Baston presented the JS Gladstones Trophy at the Qantas Wine Show Awards last night.

The award has long been sponsored by the Department of Agriculture and Food to support the production and marketing of regionally-distinct wines throughout the world.

The trophy is named after John Gladstones whose scientific work at the department and The University of Western Australia in the 1960s led to the development of Margaret River as one of the world's premium wine producing regions.

The judging panel said the award-winning Mandoon Estate Cabernet Merlot 'has intense, dark berry flavours and a hint of bay leaf that are, together, so typical of Margaret River'.

The panel said the wine had fine and balanced tannins and combined 'depth and structure with finesse'.

Mr Baston said WA's wine industry punched above its weight. It was a major employer in regional WA and contributed $700million to the State's economy.

"WA winemakers produce just five per cent of the total volume for Australia but it accounts for 12 per cent of the value. It's a tribute to the quality of the premium wines that this State produces," he said.

"The State's wine industry saw exports rise from $33million to $45.3million over the past two years, during which time China became our largest wine export market, with sales increasing more than 150 per cent to $16million.

"The WA Government has supported the industry's recent wide-ranging strategic review, carried out in consultation with wine and grape producers and industry stakeholders..

"The resulting plan - due for release next month - aims to position the sector to capitalise on new opportunities."

       Fact File

• China is the State's largest wine export market, increasing in value to $16m in 2012. Wine exports to the UK were worth $6m last year; Hong Kong $4.4m; Singapore $3.3m; USA $3m and Canada $2.9m

Minister's office - 6552 5400