Trophies Announced for the World’s Best Wines

The world’s most prestigious and influential independent wine competition, the International Wine Challenge (IWC), has unveiled the results of the 2010 Trophy and Great Value Wine Awards today at the Lords Nursery Pavilion in London. 111 wines were awarded a Trophy this year, along with 14 Great Value Wines judged for their style, availability and price.

Highlights for Australia include:

• Australia came third in the country tally board receiving 12 Trophies
• The International Shiraz Trophy went to Directors’ Cut, 2007 Heartland Wines, which in total received four Trophies (Australian Red Trophy, Australian Shiraz Trophy, South Australian Shiraz Trophy)
• Four Australian wines were awarded a Great Value Wine Award: Moon Bridge Riesling 2009 Alliance Wine Australia; Waitrose Reserve Shiraz 2008 St Hallett Wines; Campbells Rutherglen Muscat NV Campbells and the Tamar Ridge Kayena Vineyard Botrytis Riesling 2007 Tamar Ridge

France had the honour of coming top for the second year running, with 21 wines being awarded a Trophy, followed by Japan’s Sake category (14) in second place and Australia (12) in third, closely followed by Portugal (11).  Meanwhile Germany, Italy and New Zealand were each awarded 8. Camel Valley is England’s champion for 2010, winning the English Trophy for the second year running with its 2008 Pinot Noir Rosé Brut and more importantly the Sparkling Rosé Trophy, beating a high calibre of international competition.

The Trophy stage is the final round for these award-winning wines. Having already achieved a Gold medal through the Challenge’s rigorous judging process, the wines are tasted once more by an elite panel of judges against other wines in the same category, to determine if they are worthy of a Trophy in addition to their Gold medal.

Chris Ashton, IWC Event Director says: “The IWC has once again given support to the international wine market with these respected and influential awards. Winning a Trophy or Great Value Wine Award gives a wine real prestige. It is a well-earned recognition of the dedication and commitment that has gone into producing a top quality wine and puts the producers on the wine map of the world.

“A wine wearing the IWC Trophy logo helps consumers to quickly and easily identify exceptional high quality wines at a price point to suit every budget. In turn this quick recognition from the logo delivers increased sales for the producers.”

This year saw the highest-ever number of countries entering the competition with 46 nations battling it out on the wine field. Global wine expert and TV personality Oz Clarke joined the formidable judging panel of IWC Co-Chairmen – Tim Atkin MW, Sam Harrop MW, Charles Metcalfe and Derek Smedley MW.

Highlights of this year’s Trophy results:

• Former rugby star, Gérard Bertrand, celebrated a Trophy (La Clape Trophy) win with his Château L’Hospitalet ‘La Réserve’ 2008, France
• A wine from the Nederburg estate, the official winery to the World Cup, enjoyed Trophy success (Western Cape Botrytis Trophy) with their Reserve Noble Late Harvest 2009, South Africa
• German, Italy and New Zealand all won 8 trophies each

Co-Chairman Charles Metcalfe says: “The IWC is the world’s most carefully judged wine competition with judges rewarding faithfulness to region, country, variety and vintage. The competition at this final Trophy stage recognises true excellence and helps consumers identify at a glance some of the world’s best wines.”

For more information on the IWC and to see a complete list of all the winning wines please visit www.internationalwinechallenge.com

Tags: 2010, International Wine Challenge, IWC, Wine Competition