IWSC releases northern hemisphere results

Greece has taken centre stage in this year’s International Wine & Spirit Competition, winning a Gold Best in Class as the northern hemisphere results were announced yesterday.

The award went to the Ktima Pavlidis Chardonnay 2009, which topped the country’s overall medal tally of one Gold, nine Silver Best in Class, 20 Silver and 31 Bronze medals.

It was also a good year for English winemakers, who increased their medal haul from 23 last year to 29 this time. The only Gold went to Ridgeview Wine Estate’s Grosvenor Blanc de Blancs 2007; however there was an unusual winner in the Bronze category as La Mare Estate in Jersey won a medal for its 2008 Rieichensteiner/Seyval Blanc.

The US saw a particular uplift in awards, thanks to the IWSC’s decision to hold an initial judging round for the country in California. From New Mexico to New York, as well as Oregon, Washington State and California itself, the country picked up a total of 216 medals.

Emphasising the success of this initiative, which is due to be replicated in South Africa this year for the first time, David Kelly, IWSC marketing manager said: “After the first year of moving the judging of all US wines to California entries doubled, more than justifying the move.”

UK supermarkets also put in a strong performance, with Waitrose and Sainsbury’s own-label Champagnes both picking up two Gold Best in Class awards. Meanwhile Marks & Spencer won Gold Best in Class for its Chablis, Old Palo Cortado and Port.

Overall, it was the traditional Old World countries which dominated the medal table, with France picking up a total of 707 medals, including 13 Gold Best in Class, and Spain taking home 477 medals, with four Gold Best in Class.

Among the quirkier successes were the bronze medals won by Tunisia, China, Thailand, Turkey and Japan. These last two countries also scooped a handful of Silver Best In Class awards.

Once again, the IWSC has partnered with Wines Direct to promote its top 2011 award winning wines. The price comparison website will allow consumers to search for medal winners by country, variety, colour, region, or retailer. The website will also show judges’ tasting notes for each wine.

Kelly explained: “This initiative is superb in not only giving consumers the opportunity to buy IWSC medal winners online, but also providing producers with an additional promotional tool, further highlighting the benefits of entering the IWSC”.

An open tasting of Gold medal winners will take place at the London International Wine Fair on Thursday 19 May at 4pm, stand G25. For the full list of northern hemisphere winners, go to www.iwsc.co.uk or visit the stand.

Gabriel Savage, 18.05.2011