International Wine Challenge Trophies

Trophies have been awarded to 107 wines and 7 Sakes this year, along with 15 ‘Great Value Wine’ awards.
 
France dominated the Trophies honours list, coming first for the third consecutive year with an impressive 34 wines being awarded a Trophy, a 62% increase year on year. Spain followed with 13 – almost double compared to 2010, with Italy (11) third, closely followed by Australia (10).

The Trophy stage is the final round for these award-winning wines. Having achieved a Gold medal already 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. The formidable judging panel is made up of the IWC Co-Chairmen - Tim Atkin MW, Sam Harrop MW, Charles Metcalfe and Derek Smedley MW and global wine expert and TV personality Oz Clarke.

Highlights of this year’s Trophy results:

• Former rugby  star, Gérard Bertrand celebrated for the  second year in a row being awarded the La Clape Trophy, but this time for his  Art de Vivre La Clape 2009 France
• Four  Trophies were awarded to Champagnes compared to only two last year, including  a supermarket own label: Marks & Spencer Herbert Beaufort NV France £30rrp  (Non Vintage Champagne Trophy); Charles  Heidsieck Champagne Charlie 1981 France (Mature Vintage Champagne Trophy);  Charles Heidsieck Millésime Brut 2000 France £39.99rrp (Vintage Champagne  Trophy) and Pierre Paillard Grand Cru Brut Rosé NV  France, £29.99rrp (Rosé Champagne Trophy)  
• Several  wines did exceptionally well, winning four Trophies each:
• - Penfolds Reserve Bin 09A Chardonnay 2009 Australia,  £42rrp: International Chardonnay Trophy, Australian Chardonnay Trophy,  Australian White Trophy, Adelaide Hills White Trophy
• - Domaine de la Pousse d'Or Chambolle-Musigny 2009 France,  £49.99rrp: International Pinot Noir Trophy, Red Burgundy Trophy,  Chambolle-Musigny Trophy, French Red Trophy
• - Stanley Estates Sauvignon Blanc 2010 New Zealand,  £11.25rrp: International Sauvignon Blanc Trophy, New Zealand White  Trophy, New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Trophy, Marlborough Trophy  
• IWC  2010 Sweet winemaker of the year, Hans Tschida won three Trophies for sweet  wine, living up to his reputation: Schilfwein  Trophy for Muskat Ottonel Schilfwein 2006  and Austrian Botrytis Trophy, Austrian Scheurebe  Trophy for the Sämling Trockenbeerenauslese 2004  
• As  Fortified Winemaker of the Year 2010, Spain’s Emilio Lustau scooped five  Trophies including Fino Trophy (Fino La Ina NV), Manzanilla Trophy (Manzanilla  Papirusa NV), Palo Cortado Trophy & Sherry Trophy (Palo Cortado VORS NV)  and Pedro Ximénez Trophy (Pedro Ximénez VORS NZ)  
• Legendary  winemaker Miguel Torres lived up to his IWC 2010 Lifetime Achievement award by  being awarded two Trophies, Penedès Trophy  for Reserva Real 2007 and Priorat  Trophy for Perpetual 2008 Spain, £22rrp

With such a variety of high calibre wines produced from across the globe, there truly is a great number of wines of exceptional quality and outstanding value for money available at a range of price points. The 15 Great Value Awards, judged on style, availability and price, provide consumers with accessible and affordable wines, particularly in the supermarkets where all the major retailers scooped awards.
 
Highlights of this year’s Great Value Awards:

• Tesco  continued their winning streak by enjoying a triple award success for its  Tesco Finest Dessert Semillon 2007 De Bortoli Wines, £6.49rrp (Great Value  Sweet Wine Under £10); Tesco Finest Premier Cru Champagne NV Union Champagne,  £19.99rrp (Great Value Champagne Under £22); Tesco Finest Navarra Rosé 2010  Principe De Viana, £6.99rrp (Great Value Rosé)  
• Asda  celebrated with two awards, taking the Great Value Sparkling under £10 crown  from last year’s winner Marks & Spencer with Asda’s Asti NV, Araldica,  £4.99rrp  
• Waitrose  rose to the occasion for a second year in a row gaining a Great Value Award  for its Champagne Brut NV P&C Heidsieck, £19.99rrp (Great Value Champagne  under £22)

1 July 2011 - Felicity Murray