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

IWSC news

Tue 8 Oct 2013

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 13th. 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

Trophy

Name

Sponsor

Producer

Country

     

Blended Red Wine

Kanonkop Paul Sauer 2009

 

Kanonkop Wine Estate

South Africa

Single Vineyard White Wine

Wolf Blass White Label Riesling 2001

London International Wine Fair

Wolf Blass Wines Pty Ltd

Australia

Single Vineyard Red Wine

Wolf Blass Platinum Barossa Shiraz Single Vineyard 2008

London International Wine Fair

Wolf Blass Wines Pty Ltd

Australia

Bottle Fermented Sparkling Wine

Gusbourne Brut Reserve 2008

Denbies

Gusbourne Estate

England

Cabernet Sauvignon

St Andrews Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

Warren Winiarski Trophy

Taylors / Wakefield Wines Pty Ltd

Australia

Chardonnay

Jules Taylor Wines Marlborough Chardonnay 2012

Mission Hill

Jules Taylor Wines

New Zealand

Chenin Blanc

Stellenrust 48 Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc 2012

Wine Extra

StellenRust Wines

South Africa

Dessert Wine

Nederburg Private Bin Eminence 2008

 

Nederburg Wines

South Africa

Fortified Wine

All Saints Estate Rutherglen Grand Muscat NV

 

All Saints Estate Winery

Australia

International Indigenous Grape Varieties

La Tirela Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico DOC 2009

 

Cantina Valpolicella Negrar Soc. Coop. Agricola

Italy

Merlot

Columbia Crest Horse Heaven Hills Merlot 2010

 

Columbia Crest Winery

USA

Pinotage

KWV The Mentors Pinotage 2011

The Pinotage Association

KWV SA

South Africa

Riesling

Wolf Blass White Label Riesling 2001

Jancis Robinson

Wolf Blass Wines Pty Ltd

 

Pinot Noir

Ceres Composition Pinot Noir 2010

Bouchard Finlayson

Ceres Wines

New Zealand

Sauvignon Blanc

The Crossings Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2013

 

Yealands Estate Wines

New Zealand

Semillon

McGuigan Bin 9000 Semillon 2007

 

McGuigan Wines

Australia

Shiraz/Syrah

Gatt Shiraz 2008

 

Gatt Wines

Australia

NV Champagne

Champagne de Castelnau Brut Reserve

 

Castelnau Wine Agencies

France

Vintage Champagne

Champagne Piper-Heidsieck Rare Millésimé 2002

 

Champagne Piper-Heidsieck

France

Special Edition Champagne

Champagne Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millénaires Millésimé 1995

 

Champagne Piper-Heidsieck

France

Prosecco

Soligo Millesimato Rive di Soligo Prosecco Conegliano Valdobbiadene Superiore DOCG 2012

 

Cantina Colli del Soligo Scarl

Italy

Rioja

Beronia Gran Reserva 2006

 

Bodegas Beronia SA

Spain

Sherry

Emilio Lustau VORS Pedro Ximénez Sherry

 

Emilio Lustau SA

Spain

Port

Sandeman 30 YO Tawny Port

 

Sogrape Vinhos SA

Portugal