The International Wine Challenge, the world’s most influential, impartial and rigorously judged global wine competition, has announced the results of its 2023 competition. Thousands of wines from over 50 countries were entered into the competition and blind tasted by an international panel of experts last month, with awards going to over 6,000 wines from across the world. Winemaking heavyweights such as France, Australia and Spain topped the table but there were plenty of surprises too, with Netherlands claiming its first Silver medal and countries such as Egypt and Denmark getting their first taste of medal success.
France remains on top while the Jura proves it can stand up to Burgundy
France continued its winning streak as the most awarded country in each medal category with 70 Gold, 321 Silver and 446 Bronze medals. For the first time in IWC history, the French White Trophy went to a Vin Jaune from the Jura region: Michel Tissot & Fils’ Château-Chalon Vin Jaune 2015. For the past five years, this title has gone to a Burgundy producer. The Jura’s Michel Tissot & Fils had further success with two Silver medals and one Commended. Burgundy put on a stellar performance, taking home 152 medals for its still wines, 27 of which were Gold, more than any other French region. Burgundy producer Edouard Delaunay claimed the International Pinot Noir Trophy for its Chambertin Grand Cru Rouge 2020, the 8th year in a row that France has won this accolade. Of the 174 Champagnes that were awarded medals in this year’s challenge, Rare Champagne held on to the prestigious Champagne Trophy for its Rare Millésime 2008 – the same wine that took this title last year.
Jamie Goode, Co-Chair of the International Wine Challenge commented, “Champagne and Burgundy are internationally renowned as some of the best wine regions in the world and each year we see this quality reflected in the results. However, we have never seen such an impressive set of results from a Jura producer. Burgundy’s smaller and less well-known neighbour is definitely one to watch.”
Australian fortified wine triumphs as its Cabernet Sauvignon is named as world’s best
Australia came second only to France in the challenge with an impressive count of 62 Golds, 250 Silvers and 199 Bronzes. For the first time in over a decade, Australia beat 20 other countries to claim the International Cabernet Sauvignon Trophy which went to Coonawarra’s Paragon Wine Estates for its Riddoch The Pastoralist Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2021. Australia also had significant success with its fortified wines. Despite only accounting for 2% of Australian wine sold globally, the nation has proven that its fortified wines can stand up on the world stage, racking up a total of 24 medals including 13 Golds. Victoria’s Morris Wines claimed six of these Gold medals for its Muscat, Topaque and Tawny fortified wines.
“Australia has a long and distinguished history of making fortified wines, but production declined in the 60s. It is great to see winemakers responding to the growing global demand for fortified wines and drawing on their winemaking heritage to produce some outstanding wines in this category” commented IWC Co-Chair, Sam Caporn MW.
Rioja reigns in Spain
Coming in as the third most awarded country in this year’s challenge, Spain received a total of 489 medals. Rioja was the country’s top performing region, taking 163 of these as well as reclaiming the Spanish Red Trophy back from Ribera Del Duero, which has won it every year since 2018. This prestigious title went to Bodegas Campillo for its Gran Reserva 2014. Galicia was recognised for the quality of its white wines with two Gold medal wins for still white wines, more than any other Spanish region. These went to Agro De Bazán’s Granbazán Limousin 2020 and Bodegas Altos De Torona for its Albanta Sobre Lias 2022 which also picked up the Spanish White Trophy. Sherry had another great year, winning 29 of the country’s 40 gold medals, with the Sherry Trophy awarded to Bodegas Fernando De Castilla for its Oloroso Singular.
Spain expert and IWC Co-Chair, Tim Atkin MW, commented, “The results from this year’s competition highlight Spain’s strong presence in the world of wine. Rioja’s dominance in the medal table demonstrates its unmatched expertise in producing high quality wines. The continued success of Sherry wines is also a testament to the diversity and versatility of Spain’s wine industry.”
Austria claims two of the six international trophies
Austria’s Weingut Schneeberger regained the International Sauvignon Blanc Trophy this year for its Sauvignon Blanc Kittenberg Südsteiermark 2021. It is the second time in three years that this Südsteiermark winery has produced the top Sauvignon Blanc in the competition. Austria also regained the International Riesling Trophy which went to acclaimed cooperative Winzer Krems for its Kremser Kreuzberg Riesling Kremstal Dac Reserve 2021, the wine that also won this year’s Austrian White Trophy.
Up-and-coming challengers make their mark
This year’s challenge produced some revelatory results across Europe, Asia, South America and Africa. New winners this year included Egypt and Denmark which earnt their place on the table with two Bronze medals each. Romania also had its first taste of Gold Medal success, with a sweet wine Jidvei Eiswein from Transylvania producer Sc Jidvei. In addition, the nation won a further five Bronze medals and 17 Commended.
The Netherlands received its first Silver medal this year which was awarded to a sparkling Riesling produced by Domein Aldenborg: the Eyra Riesling Millésime Brut Nature 2015. This was a breakthrough for the country which has never received a medal for its sparkling wines before. Other countries emerging on the world stage include India, Ukraine and Peru which doubled its medal count compared to last year.
Peter McCombie MW, IWC Co-Chair explained, “An International Wine Challenge medal gives consumers the confidence to be adventurous and try wines from countries that they may not have previously associated with top quality wine. It takes the risk out of buying wine from up-and-coming wine-producing nations such as India, Demark and the Netherlands, which have all been recognised with medals in this year’s challenge.”
The full list of 2023 International Wine Challenge award winners released on 18th May can be seen here.
The IWC Champion Wines for 2023 which are selected following a re-tasting by the IWC Co-Chairs of all the trophy-winning wines, will be revealed at the IWC 2023 Awards announcement on Tuesday 4th July.
