Top wines of Spain and Portugal unveiled in latest IWSC results announcement

The latest wine results of the IWSC 2019 have been announced today, 5 July 2019, awarding the very best wines in Spain and Portugal. Key regions such as Rias Baixas and Rioja lead the way in Spain, while Portugal has been awarded a series of Gold medals for its fortified wines. 

The results confirm Spain as one of the world’s leading wine countries; there’s a strong showing across the entire country, with the classic regions of Ribera el Duero and Rioja at the forefront. 

The iconic frosted bottle Faustino I Gran Reserva from Rioja is one of the jewels of Spanish wine, and the impressive 2006 vintage was rated 95 points from our experts and awarded a Gold medal. The wine offers particular value for money, retailing at less than £20. Judges described the wine as “fresh, sweet-fruited and layered, with a very long, complex finish – an absolutely complete wine.”  

Faustino I Gran Reserva isn’t the only steal from Spain, a country confirming its place as a great source of outstanding value. Another wine that impressed our panels was the Asda Extra Special Albariño 2018 from Rias Baixas, described as “intense and balanced throughout – a wonderful testimony to what this variety can achieve.”

Sherry shines in the results meanwhile, with an impressive 12 Gold medal winners ranging from Amontillado to Paolo V.O.R.S. Sherry is another underrated and excellent value wine that is highly praised by our experts, and one that certainly deserves more interest among wine drinkers.

Lustau Amontillado VORS was awarded an outstanding 97 points. The sherry was praised for its “smoky nose and rancio characters of coffee, balsamic, soy, sticky ginger pudding, raisins, marmalade and orange bitters.”

Spanish sparkling wine has also been put into the spotlight, with Cava winning an array of medals. J. Garcia Carrion won a Gold medal for their Jaume Serra Organic NV, which our experts described as “utterly fabulous”. 

In Portugal, Madeira performed particularly well this year, winning six Gold medals. The selection of wines shows the diversity that Madeira has to offer, with winners ranging from drier to sweeter styles, and vintages going back as far as 1985. One of the world’s most underrated wines, Madeira offers excellent value for money, and can keep for months after opening.

Pereira D'Oliveira Verdelho 1994 received 96 points from our panel of experts, for its “intense aromas of butter caramel, figs, ground almonds, brazil nut, stem ginger, aged balsamic characters, angostura bitters and Benedictine”.

There were also seven Gold medals for Port, with Martha's Vintage Port 2017 receiving 97 points, the highest scoring port of this year. Judges said the wine had “fantastic potential – a well-poised wine with an impressive structure and balance.”

Search the full results listing here.