Uncategorised

Australian wine second to France in International Wine Challenge

Australia has picked up a mighty haul of medals at International Wine Challenge 2015, including 91 Gold medals.

Second only to France on the medal leader board, Australian wine makers have claimed a total of 825 medals at the 2015 International Wine Challenge. 91 Australian wines were awarded Gold medals, as well as 333 Silver medals and 401 Bronze medals.

Charles Metcalfe, Co-Chairman of the IWC said “Australian wine continues to go from strength to strength, as its native winemakers demonstrate their star quality. Australian Shiraz has impressed yet again, and Aussie Chardonnay really has come a long way. I am convinced any of our award-winning, modern, less oaky Chardonnays would convert any Chardonnay deriders.

“We discovered some delicious examples of more classic grapes like Semillon and Riesling, and even some top quality sweet and fortified wines. Overall, it has been a vintage year for Australia at the IWC.”

And the winners are…

Australian Shiraz leads the Gold medal charge. 25 wines picked up Gold medals, 22 from South Australia. Angove Family Winemakers picked up a pair of Gold medals for its Family Crest Shiraz 2013 and its Warboys Vineyard Shiraz 2013. Saltram Wine Estate and Château Tanunda also received two Gold medals each for their Shiraz entries.

Outside South Australia, Lerida Estate struck Gold with its Lake Geoge Shiraz Viognier 2013, the only Gold medal winning Shiraz to be produced in the Canberra District. Amelia Park Wines, located in Dunsborough, West Australia, also picked up a pair of Gold medals for its Amelia Park Reserve Shiraz 2012 and its Amelia Park Shiraz 2013.

16 Australian Chardonnays impressed the IWC judges and picked up Gold medals.

Penfolds Wines Pty Ltd received a shower of Gold medals, including four for its Chardonnay entries. Penfolds won Gold for the following:

  • Penfolds Reserve Bin 12A Chardonnay 2012
  • Penfolds Reserve Bin 10A Chardonnay 2010
  • Penfolds Reserve Bin 09A Chardonnay 2009
  • Penfolds Yattarna Chardonnay 2010
  • Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 2012
  • Penfolds Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

NV Penfolds Grandfather Rare Tawny also picked up a Gold medal in the fortified category.

Brookland Valley received three Gold medals for its young Chardonnays. Its Estate Chardonnay 2013, Estate Chardonnay 2014 and its Reserve Chardonnay 2013 all scooped the top medal prize.

Tasmania winery Jansz received Gold medals for two of its sparkling Chardonnay/Pinot Noir blends. Jansz Tasmania Premium Cuvée Brut NV and the Jansz Tasmania Vintage Cuvée 2009 both impressed the judges and were awarded Gold.

De Bortoli Wines Pty Ltd received five Gold medals, four of which were awarded to sweet wines. Its Black Noble 10 Year Old NV, De Bortoli Show Liqueur Muscat NV and its Deen Vat Series No 5 Botrytis Semillon 2009 all struck Gold.

De Bortoli created Gold medal-winning Tesco finest Dessert Semillon 2009 which was one of a flurry of medals which went to Australian wines created for UK supermarket own-brand ranges. Tesco finest Denman Semillon 2013, Tesco finest Cobblestone Shiraz 2012 and Tesco finest Tingleup Riesling 2012 were all awarded Silver medals.

Aldi The Exquisite Clare Valley Riesling 2014 was awarded a Gold medal, and Aldi The Exquisite Collection Limestone Coast Chardonnay 2013 received a Silver medal. These are both produced by Wakefield.

Four wines created by a range of Australian wineries for IWC Supermarket of the Year 2014 Marks & Spencer also received Silver medals, namely Marks & Spencer Ebenezer & Seppeltsfield Shiraz 2012, Margaret River Semillon/Sauvignon 2014, Marks & Spencer Hunter Valley Chardonnay 2014 and Marks & Spencer Burra Brook Chardonnay 2014.

Winemakers’ Selection by Sainsbury’s Limestone Coast Chardonnay 2013 created for the UK retailer by Kingston Estate Wines also picked up a Silver medal.

Australian Vintage Ltd received a flurry of fourteen Gold medals across a variety of styles. Seven Semillons made by the winery picked up Gold medals, including two for its McGuigan Bin 9000 Semillon 2003 and 2005 vintage. However, the winery proved it is not only a master of aged Semillon, striking Gold with the 2014 McGuigan The Shortlist Semillon. 2004. The 2007 and 2013 vintages of McGuigan The Shortlist Riesling also secured Gold medals.

Visit the IWC website for the full list of winners.

 

Send this to a friend