The 31st International Wine Challenge lived up to its name awarding Champion status to five wines from around the world including Australia, Germany, and Portugal. However it was France that took top honours in this year’s competition, with two French wines being named best in class and receiving top prizes.
The Champion wines were selected following a rigorous judging process, beating thousands of contenders from all around the world. The wines were awarded IWC Trophies during two weeks of tasting in April this year at London’s Kia Oval. The best wine in each style from every country were then awarded National Trophies (i.e. Best Australian Red, Best French Red) before being tasted and judged again by the Co-Chairmen of the IWC to decide on the best in class for each of the five categories.
Champion Red Wine
Burgundy-based producer Jean Claude Boisset received the 2014 Champion Red Wine award for its Clos de la Roche Grand Cru 2012. This exquisite Pinot Noir impressed the judges with its roast coffee and kirsch cherry notes.
Champion Sparkling Wine
French Champagne House Piper Heidsieck received the Daniel Thibault Trophy for Champion Sparkling wine of the year for its Rare Millésimé 2002 Champagne. This is the second year running that this prestigious Champagne House has received this award.
Champion White Wine
The 2014 IWC Champion White wine was awarded to the Campolargo 2011 from Portuguese producer Manuel dos Santos Campolargo. It is a huge coup for Portugal’s wine industry (better known for its Red and Fortified wines) to receive such an accolade for one of its whites.
Champion Sweet Wine
German winemaker Weingut Horst Sauer picked up the top prize for Sweet wine. Its 2012 Escherndorfer Lump Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese was awarded the Alois Kracher Trophy for Champion Sweet wine. This sweet wine, created in Franconia, was described by the International Wine Challenge tasters as an ‘enormous tsunami of fruit.’
Champion Fortified Wine
Morris Wines, based in Victoria, Australia, was awarded the IWC Champion Fortified Wine for its Old Premium Rare Liqueur Tokay (NV). Morris Wines has been creating wines for over five generations. This intricate and indulgent wine intrigued the judging panel with its treacle and deliciously bitter notes.
Charles Metcalfe, Co-Chairman of the IWC commented:
“We have seen some absolutely fantastic wines through the course of the competition, and these five Champion wines represent the crème de la crème. These five wines are truly world-class. France has yet again cemented its position as an unbeatable winemaking nation winning two of the top prizes. However, a Portuguese white wine picking up the top prize for whites was a delightfully unexpected surprise. More people should try Portugal’s whites. Each of these Champion Award winners has beaten thousands of wines from around the world. For each of them, it’s a huge achievement.”
For more information on the International Wine Challenge and the 2014 winners click here
Other Highlights of the IWC this year
The Five Great Value Awards for the year all being awarded to supermarket own-brand wines, with Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Asda winning big: www.digitalnewsroom.co.uk/iwc/great-value-champions-2014/
Five Champion winemakers of the year, including Charles Back of Fairview picking up a lifetime achievement award: www.digitalnewsroom.co.uk/iwc/champion-winemakers-2014/
Two Champion Sakes, including the competition awarding its first Great Value Sake Award: www.digitalnewsroom.co.uk/iwc/sake-champion-2014/
Three Planet Earth Awards for responsibly produced wines, with the prize for best FairTrade going to Sainsbury’s: www.digitalnewsroom.co.uk/iwc/planet-earth-2014/
Merchants of the Year Awards: www.digitalnewsroom.co.uk/iwc/merchant-awards-2014/