2022 Wine Results: Gold medals for wines from Essex and Mexico as the emerging wine regions put in an impressive performance

Highlights:

• Entries from more than 40 countries from Brazil and Mexico to Japan and China
• Medal success for emerging regions including England and Switzerland
• Top accolades awarded to wines from Austria, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, England, Mexico, and Japan
• World’s largest wine producing nations, France, Spain & Italy receive greatest number of medals

The world’s most established drinks awards, the IWSC, has announced its 2022 medal winners.

Following two weeks where 99 of the industry’s most renowned and respected wine experts tasted wines from over 40 countries, the IWSC has published its latest findings.

Unsurprisingly it was the world’s largest wine producing nations which received the greatest number of medals – France, Spain & Italy. However, the countries that performed best in this year’s judging, based on number of medals awarded versus entries submitted, were smaller, emerging wine regions including England, Austria, and Switzerland!

The IWSC’s top accolade, a gold medal, was awarded to still wines from Austria, Georgia, Greece, England, Mexico, and Japan.

2022 Gold Medal winners from Emerging Regions:

GOLD: Flamberg Chardonnay 2020, Weingut Johann Schneeberger, Steiermark, Austria

GOLD: Orange by Katharina Baumgartner 2020, Domäne Baumgartner, Niederösterreich, Austria

GOLD: Kartuli Vazi Select Orange Rkatsiteli 2020, Tifliski Vini Pogreb, Kakheti, Georgia

GOLD: Qvevris Mtsvane 2020, JSC Tbilvino, Kakheti, Georgia

GOLD: Satrapezo Saperavi 2018, Telavi, Kakheti, Georgia

GOLD: Cuvée Villages Xinomavro 2018, Kir-Yianni, Macedonia, Greece

GOLD: Pure 2018, Volcanic Slopes Vineyards, Santorini, Greece

GOLD: Château Mars Hosaka, Hinoshiro Cabernet-Merlot Late Harvest 2018, Hombo Shuzo, Yamanashi, Japan

GOLD: Kitajima Vineyard No.7 Kerner 2019, Hokkaido Wine, Hokkaido, Japan

GOLD: Sauvignon Blanc 2021, Vinoble Vineyard, Hiroshima, Japan

GOLD: Edición Limitada Cabernet Franc 2020, Monte Xanic, Baja California, Mexico

GOLD: Pinot Noir 2020, Lyme Bay Winery, Essex, England

The best performances overall came from England, Switzerland and Austria: between them, these countries averaged a conversion rate of entries to medals of 96% highlighting the consistent quality coming from these nations.

England medal highlights:

GOLD: Tinwood Estate, Blanc de Blancs Brut 2017, West Sussex, England

GOLD: Gusbourne Late Disgorged Reserve Brut 2013, Kent, England

GOLD: Pinot Noir 2020, Lyme Bay Winery, Essex, England

Of its entries, 28 English still wines were awarded medals, including 6 red wines and 5 rosé wines, highlighting the growing diversity of English wine production beyond sparkling wines.

Switzerland medal highlights:

While Swiss entries did not receive any gold medals, there were 6 silver medal winning wines, each crafted from very different grape varieties: the lesser known Amigne, Chasselas, Arvine and Fendant plus a Syrah and a Cabernet Merlot blend. While most of the wines were from one producer in the Valais region of Switzerland, the sixth medal was awarded to Aldi’s own-label Swiss wine:

SILVER: Amigne 2019, Les Celliers de Vétroz, Valais, Switerzland

SILVER: Concerto 2020, Les Celliers de Vétroz, Valais, Switerzland

SILVER: Grand Cru Fendant 2020, Les Celliers de Vétroz, Valais, Switerzland

SILVER: Petite Arvine 2020, Les Celliers de Vétroz, Valais, Switerzland

SILVER: Syrah 2020, Les Celliers de Vétroz, Valais, Switerzland

SILVER: Specially Selected Fendant 2020, Aldi, Valais, Switerzland

Austria medal highlights:

Austria won medals this year for its red, white and orange wines. With 94% of Austrian wines entered into the IWSC receiving a medal, it is certainly not a nation to be overlooked for its wine production.

GOLD: Flamberg Chardonnay 2020, Weingut Johann Schneeberger, Steiermark, Austria

GOLD: Orange By Katharina Baumgartner 2020, Domäne Baumgartner, Niederösterreich, Austria

SILVER: Fat Boy 2018, Weingut Migsich, Burgenland, Austria

SILVER: Kittenberg Muskateller 2020, Weingut Johann Schneeberger, Steiermark, Austria

SILVER: Kittenberg Sauvignon Blanc 2020, Weingut Johann Schneeberge, Steiermark, Austria

SILVER: Rosalito 2011, Weingut JbN, Niederösterreich, Austria

SILVER: Ried Kremser Wachtberg Grüner Veltliner 2020, Winzer Krems, Niederösterreich, Austria

SILVER: Rohrendorf Grüner Veltliner 2021, Lenz Moser, Niederösterreich, Austria

SILVER: Hochbrudersegg Sauvignon Blanc 2020, Weingut Johann Schneeberger, Steiermark, Austria

Following the judging, Rebecca Palmer, Wine Buyer at Corney & Barrow adds:

“I have been working in the UK wine industry for over 25 years and judging wine competitions for 20 of those. More than ever this year, I was struck by the quality and style of the wines from key emerging regions – countries like Brazil, Mexico, Japan, England and more besides.

“The level of quality seemed consistently higher across the board, and the number of medal-winning wines particularly impressive, in a competition where the bar is high – the IWSC judging process is fair but demanding so achieving a medal is meaningful.

“There were also many more wines with that special ‘star quality’ that marks them out, which I’m always on the lookout for, as a buyer.  These are the wines that scooped gold or high silver scores, and it is inspiring to see so many of these on the final podium.

“I hope that results like these will give buyers in the industry, and wine consumers generally, greater confidence in their buying choices, and encourage them to try more of these exciting and diverse wine styles.” 

 
For a full list of the IWSC’s 2022 winners, visit here.