New Zealand and Australia impress in this year’s IWSC results

New World Wines scored highly in this year’s International Wine & Spirit Competition with Australia and New Zealand, no exception, 10 trophies were awarded in total to the Australasian contenders.

Judges awarded medals to a huge variety of styles recognising the diversity of winemaking in these regions.  Australia yielded a mix of larger, established wineries alongside smaller boutique wineries. Bethany Wines, a family winery from the heart of the Barossa, scooped two Gold Outstanding medals for their Valley Riesling and their Reserve Shiraz. Judges noted the Shiraz had an “excellent build-up of flavour in the mouth with silky texture and bracing acidity to balance the powerful alcohol and massive fruit”.

All Saints Estate, secured their place as the 2013 Fortified Wine trophy winners, the winery, which is family owned, was established in 1864. Located on the banks of the Murray River in Wahgunyah, they excelled with their Muscat’s, winning a Gold, and two Silver Outstanding’s in addition to the trophy.

This year saw an Australian Pedro Ximinez achieve a Gold Outstanding in a category commonly championed by Spain. ‘Legacy of the Barossa’, scooped one of eight awards by husband and wife winemakers at Dandelion Vineyards. Another notable win, Henry’s Drive from Padthaway, achieved Gold and Silver Outstanding for two of their Shirazes, proving that Padthaway is a region to be reckoned for this grape. Judges noted their 2009 Reserve Shiraz was a ‘superb’ wine with “incredible depth of aromatics and flavour”.

New Zealand’s diversity was also awarded by judges. Angela Reddin, one of the Competition’s New Zealand panel chairs commented on the success, “I think New Zealand is quietly harnessing a number of varieties to support and sustain the momentum of Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir”. Angela was also “struck by the spread of varieties and styles winning top awards this year”.  These comments come after New Zealand was awarded Gold and Gold Outstanding for not only Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, but also for Chardonnay, Riesling, Gewurztraminer and Syrah.

Angela commented on the “impressive” quality of the Chardonnay entries and noted that “as tastes and fashions swing back towards Chardonnay, it is heartening to see such beautiful wines, with excellent precision and depth being made in New Zealand”.

Yealand’s Wine Estate also won big in New Zealand with 28 medals awarded including 3 Silver Outstanding’s and one Gold. Judges commented on their The Crossings Sauvignon Blanc 2013 “a tense wire of acidity thrums through the palate and leaves a tingling lip smacking freshness with the long finish”.

Today also saw the release of the wine product trophies. Please see http://www.iwsc.net/node/1422 for the full list. All international 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 full searchable results please visit http://www.iwsc.net/search2013/wine

For more details please contact;

Harriet Chandler

Marketing Executive

Harriet.chandler@iwscgroup.com

DD: 0203 176 6461