In 1989 the first Advertiser/Royal Adelaide Wine Show Dozen was designed to explain to wine consumers what the annual wine competition could do for them. Winemakers are invited, when they submit their wines for show judging, to make them available for selection in the scheme, and to nominate a price.

When the results are known, weight is given to balance by maker, area, variety and medal. The aim is to produce a Dozen that represents the Australian wine industry at its best - and to show the consumer what wines are like that have won Bronze, Silver and Gold medals (and sometimes a trophy). In choosing the wines, we also look for a mix of medals.

The scheme also demonstrates how consumers can get real value in retail or restaurant situations by choosing wines which have won medals at a quality wine show like Adelaide.

Once selected and purchased, the wines are picked and packed, the Catalogue of Results is added, together with a sheet of tasting notes for the 12 wines. The cartons are delivered around South Australia and Australia. It's a perfect gift too.

The Dozen is promoted through the pages of The Advertiser, which publishes order coupons for its readers. In these ways, consumers can gain both benefits and knowledge of the intensive and thorough wine show judging system.

Up to 3,000 Advertiser readers order the Dozen each year.

There have been some fabulous wines in the Dozen over the last decade. They have ranged from winemakers large and small, far and wide. These wines have given the ordinary wine drinker the opportunity to taste and try wines that they would probably never dream of ordering, and at the same time provide an understanding of the judging system at the Royal Adelaide Wine Show.

Click here to visit the Advertiser/Royal Adelaide Wine Show Dozen site.