New World triumphs once again in the International Wine & Spirit Competition’s wine trophy line up.

New World wines dominated trophy results, released today from the International Wine & Spirit Competition. Australia claimed 7 of the 24 coveted trophies, while New World wines overall accounted for 15.

Wolf Blass picked up three trophies alone, while Champagne Piper-Heidsieck also found multiple success. The French Champagne house picked up both the Vintage Champagne Trophy and the Special Edition Champagne Trophy. The judges noted the Special edition “announces its aristocracy in the glass”.

New Zealand beat all international competition to win the Chardonnay trophy, a huge achievement for a country comparatively new to the grapes production. South Africa has triumphed in this category for the last three years.  Jules Taylor Wines’ Marlborough Chardonnay 2012 (on premise blend, batch #1) was the trophy victor. Jules Taylor, commented, “It’s a great recognition not only for the brand, but also for Marlborough.

First time entrant Ceres, from Otago, secured the coveted Pinot Noir trophy . James Dicey of Ceres commented on the win, "My brother Matt and I are absolutely stoked to have won the Bouchard Finlayson Trophy with our Ceres 2010 Pinot Noir. 2010 was a stellar year for Central Otago Pinot Noir with some great examples being produced.”

Dicey added, “It’s great that our hands off approach with the wine, letting the theme of ‘Vineyard and Vintage’ shine through, has been recognised with such a prestigious international award. We are a relatively new producer with tiny volumes so this will do us the world of good in lifting our wines profile."

However Wolf Blass came out on top when it came to the trophies. They were awarded three; the Single Vineyard Red Wine Trophy, Single Vineyard White Wine Trophy and the Riesling Trophy. The Platinum Barossa Shiraz Single Vineyard 2008 was noted by judges as a ‘mighty’ wine, having ‘intense blackberry aromas with a violet accent”.

Their White Label Riesling 2001 won an astounding two trophies, judges marking it the best Riesling, as well as the best Single Vineyard White. The panel noted that “time has given majesty to this wine”, and it has an “astonishing freshness for a wine in its second decade”.

England also had reason to celebrate, Gusbourne Brut Reserve 2008 beat global competition to pick up the trophy for Bottle Fermented Sparkling Wine, supporting England’s rising prowess in this category. Last year even saw the fizz served at Buckingham Palace. The Gusbourne sparkling was described by judges as having “the aromas of hazelnut and toast” with an underlying delicate redcurrant fruit and a hint of rose”

Anna Grant, the IWSC’s Head of Sales and Marketing commented, “The trophies, once again this year have recognised some outstanding wines from both large and small scale producers, and we are delighted to award them to such high quality products.”

The remainder of the trophies, including Winemaker of the Year, Distiller of the Year and Retailer of the Year, amongst others, will be announced at the IWSC Annual Awards Banquet on November 13^th. The Banquet at the City of London Guildhall plays host to over 500 esteemed guests, who enjoy a five-course dinner accompanied by award-winning wines and spirits. Please contact pip.mortimer@iwscgroup.com for more details or to book a space.

For more details please contact;

Harriet Chandler

Marketing Executive

Harriet.chandler@iwscgroup.com

DD: 0203 176 6461