The International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) has released the much anticipated Southern Hemisphere wine results.

Australia exceeded their 2011 media count at this year’s competition winning a total of 714 medals including a remarkable 61 gold outstanding and gold medals. The country also won four product trophies for Semillon, Shiraz, Fortified Wine (Worldwide) and The London International Wine Fair Trophy for Single Vineyard Red Wine.

South Africa continued their success from 2011 scooping 642 medals this year, comprising 14 gold outstanding, 30 gold,132 silver outstanding, 325 silver and 141 bronze medals. Four product trophies were awarded to South African producers including The Denbies Trophy for Bottle Fermented Sparkling Wine, The Wine Extra Trophy for Chenin Blanc, The Abraham Perold Trophy for Pinotage and the Sauvignon Blanc trophy. Once again this year the IWSC held a successful judging for South African entries locally in Paarl.

New Zealand also improved on last year’s medal tally, winning in total 323 medals compared to 304 in 2011. In total New Zealand were awarded four gold outstanding, seven gold, 23 silver outstanding, 158 silver and 131 bronze medals. The Bouchard Finlayson Trophy for Pinot Noir was awarded to the New Zealand winery Valli Vineyards Ltd for their Valli Gibbston Vineyard Pinot Noir 2010.

Chile received three gold, 17 silver outstanding,165 silver and 165 bronze medals. The London International Wine Fair Trophy for Single Vineyard White Wine was awarded to Chilean wine producer Viña Luis Felipe Edwards and the Carménère trophy was given to Chilean wine producer Viña Morandé.

Other notable winning countries included Argentina, Mexico and Brazil. Argentina was awarded four silver outstanding, 52 silver and 92 bronze medals. Mexico picked up two silver and five bronze medals. Brazil received two silver outstanding, four silver and four bronze medals.

Anna Grant, IWSC Sales & Marketing Controller comments “The demand for this year’s International Wine and Spirit Competition has once again exceeded expectations and the results demonstrate the extraordinary quality consistently being delivered by the industry. Our focus now is to equip all the winners with marketing toolkits to help them promote their awards and receive the recognition they deserve.”

The trophies and winners of the producer shortlists will be formally presented at the annual IWSC Awards Presentation and Banquet to be held on Wednesday, 14 November 2012 at the prestigious Guildhall, City of London.

Editors Notes:

About the IWSC

The International Wine and Spirit Competition, founded in 1969, is the premier competition of its kind in the world. Its aim is to promote the quality and excellence of the world's best wines, spirits and liqueurs.

All entries of wines, spirits and liqueurs are blind tasted in groups divided by variety, region and vintage as necessary. Awards are made on a points system and sponsored trophies are presented in selected categories.

The IWSC is supported by a group of Vice Presidents made up of some of the most influential men and women in the trade. This year’s President is Mauricio González Gordon of Gonzalez Byass.

For more information go to: http://www.iwsc.net/home or contact

Anna Grant IWSC Group Sales & Marketing Controller

annag@iwscgroup.com

02031766462

Southern and Northern Hemisphere Product trophy winners:

Trophy: The May de Lencquesaing Trophy for Blended Red Wine sponsored by Glenelley Winner: Argentiera DOC Bolgheri Superiore 2008

Trophy: The Denbies Wine Estate Trophy for Bottle Fermented Sparkling Wine Winner: Pongrácz Desiderius Bottle Fermented Sparkling Brut 2003

Trophy: The Warren Winiarski Trophy for Cabernet Sauvignon sponsored by Arcadia Vineyards Winner: Chateau Ste Michelle Canoe Ridge Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Trophy: The IWSC Trophy for Carmenère Winner: Morandé Reserva Carménère 2010

Trophy: The Institut Oenologique Trophy for Non Vintage Champagne Winner: Tesco Finest* Premier Cru Champagne NV

Trophy: The IWSC Trophy for Special Edition Champagne Winner: Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut 2002

Trophy: The IWSC Trophy for Vintage Champagne Winner: Champagne Piper Heidsieck Millesime 2004

Trophy: The Mission Hill Trophy for Chardonnay Winner: Jordan Nine Yards Chardonnay 2010

Trophy: The IWSC Trophy for Chenin Blanc Winner: StellenRust 47 Chenin Blanc 2011

Trophy: The IWSC Trophy for Dessert Wine Winner: Strewn Vidal Icewine 2008

Trophy: The IWSC Trophy for International Indigenous Grape Varieties Winner: Bosan Amarone della Valpolicella DOC 2004

Trophy: The IWSC Trophy for Merlot Winner: Turning Leaf Merlot 2010

Trophy: The Bouchard Finlayson Trophy for Pinot Noir Winner: Valli Gibbston Vineyard Pinot Noir 2010

Trophy: The Abraham Perold Trophy for Pinotage Winner: Kaapzicht Steytler Pinotage 2008

Trophy: The IWSC Trophy for Port Winner: Sandeman 20 Year Old Tawny Port

Trophy: The Jancis Robinson Trophy for Riesling Winner: Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese 2010

Trophy: The Wines of Rioja Trophy Winner: Tesco Finest* Viña Mara Gran Reserva Rioja 2004

Trophy: The IWSC Trophy for Sauvignon Blanc Winner: Nederburg Private Bin D234 Sauvignon Blanc 2010

Trophy: The IWSC Trophy for Prosecco Winner: Carpenè Malvolti Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Cuvèe Extra Dry 2011

Trophy: The IWSC Trophy for Sémillon Winner: McGuigan BIN 9000 Semillon 2004

Trophy: The IWSC Trophy for Sherry Winner: Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Pedro Ximenez Sherry 12 Years Old

Trophy: The IWSC Trophy for Shiraz Winner: Fox Creek Reserve Shiraz 2009

Trophy: The London International Wine Fair Trophy for Single Vineyard Red Wine Winner: Ozlaide Shiraz 2008

Trophy: The LIWSF Trophy for Single Vineyard White Wine Winner: Sauvignon Blanc Gran Reserva Family Selection 2012

Trophy: Trophy for Fortified Wine (Worldwide) Winner: Old Boys 21 Year Old Barrel Aged Tawny

Southern Hemisphere Producer Shortlists (winners announced at the IWSC Award Presentation and Banquet):

Argentina Argenceres SA Bodega Raffy Bodega Navarro Correas Trapiche Ojo de Vino S.A.

Australia Saltram Wine Estate Wolf Blass Wines Pty Ltd McGuigan Wines Château Tanunda Fox Creek Wines

Chile Viña Morandé Casas del Bosque Viña Cono Sur Viña Luis Felipe Edwards

New Zealand Gibbston Valley Wines Ltd Marisco Vineyards Sileni Estates Matua Valley Wines Ltd

South Africa Jordan Kleine Zalze Wines Nederberg Spier Wines Hartenberg Estate

Northern Hemisphere Producer Shortlists (winners announced at the IWSC Award Presentation and Banquet):

Canada NK'Mip Cellars Jackson-Triggs Vintners Niagara Estate Jackson-Triggs Okanagan Estate Inniskillin Wines Inc Andrew Peller Estates

England Bolney Wine Estate Nyetimber Limited English Wines Plc/Chapel Down Gusbourne Estate

France Vallet Freres Maison Camille Cayran La Chablisienne Le Clos Châtea d'Isenbourg

Germany Schmitt Söhne GmbH Weingut Horst Sauer Winzer Sommerach - Der Winzerkeller Winzergemeinschaft Franken eG

Italy Umberto Cesari Farnese Vini SRL Cantine Riondo Spa Gerardo Cesari SpA Bisol Desiderio & Figli Societa' Agricola

Portugal Adriano Ramos Pinto Vinhos SA Casa Ermelinda Freitas-Vinhos Lda Cortes de Cima Dao Sul - Sociedade Vitvinicola SA Sogrape Vinhos SA

Spain Bodegas Arzuaga Navarro SL Grupo Codorníu J. Garcia Carrion Mont-Ferrant

USA Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyard Cakebread Cellars Gruet Winery Ch/Domaine. St Michelle