There are a million plus reasons to enter the 2009 International Chardonnay Challenge.

New event sponsor SATO NZ is giving 5000 complimentary labels to all medal winners – gold silver and bronze.

“This is a first for New Zealand, and possibly the world,” says ICC competition director Prue Younger.

And she rates the new prize as one of the biggest value-added opportunities to entrants ever.

“Having labels on wine bottles is a tremendous promotion vehicle and at a time when markets are tight, it’s the small things like a bottle label that can make the difference.”

Going on last year’s figures, it means that potentially there could be 1.4 million labels straight out onto the market.

“It’s another unique move for a very special competition,” says Younger.

“Over the years, this competition has continued to grow in statue, with international judges regularly putting their hands up to be part of it. It really is a competition like no other.”

SATO NZ is the innovative company who introduced the nation’s first productized traceability solution, which is now being used around the globe.

“They’re making it very easy for winners to utilise their labels.”

It’s no secret that striking competition labels on bottles of wine in supermarket shelves and wine cellar racks, is a winner for all – guiding the consumer to an award-winning wine while raising awareness of the competition and the industry.

Entries are now being called for the 2009 International Chardonnay Challenge, an event considered quite unique in the world because of its focus on just one variety.

Judging will be held May 27-28, 2009, with the gala awards dinner on May 29.

For more information head to www.internationalchardonnaychallenge.co.nz