New Zealand enjoys a record year of winnings at the International Wine Challenge, bagging 38 gold medals – 13 of which were Pinot Noirs.
The 30th International Wine Challenge saw New Zealand flourish, winning a staggering 38 gold medals for their prized cool climate drops.
“New Zealand’s Pinot just gets better and better and it is hard to beat in terms of quality, consistency and value. One theme that came through in judging this year was the regional diversity. This is great news for New Zealand Pinot and one that suggests that vine age is now starting to have a significant impact,” said Sam Harrop MW, Co-Chairman of the IWC.
As well as their famed Pinot Noirs, which collected 13 gold medals, Sauvignon Blanc was only two behind on 11 gold. Alongside these better known varietals were some emerging grapes, including Grüner Veltliner (commonly found in Austria), and Albarino, which is traditionally from Spain and Portugal. Both these lesser known varieties took home a gold each.
“These wines have been tasted against thousands of contenders so it is a tremendous achievement that will catapult their product to an international audience,” said Charles Metcalfe, co-chairman of the IWC.
The International Wine Challenge is one of the world’s most rigorously judged wine competitions.
The Gold Medal winning New Zealand wines were:
Blind River Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Brennan Pinot Noir 2010
B2 Pinot Noir 2011
Coney Pizzicato Pinot Noir 2010
Delegat Awatere Valley Marlborough Pinot Noir 2012
John Forrest Collection Brancott Pinot Noir 2010
John Forrest Collection Waitaki Valley Pinot Noir 2010
Framingham Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Grasshopper Rock Central Otago Pinot Noir 2011
Huntaway Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Julicher Estate 99 Rows Pinot Noir 2010
Kingsmill Tippet’s Dam Pinot Noir 2011
Tohu Mugwi Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Lawson’s Dry Hills Chardonnay 2009
Lawson’s Dry Hills Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Lone Goat Canterbury Late Harvest Riesling 2007
Marisco The Kings Favour Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Matua Valley Single Vineyard Marlborough Chardonnay 2011
Mills Reef Elspeth Cabernet Merlot 2009
Mills Reef Elspeth Trust Vineyard Syrah 2011
Mission Estate Martinborough Pinot Noir 2012
Nautilus Estate Marlborough Chardonnay 2011
Ostler Caroline’s Pinot Noir 2010
Otu Sauvignon Blanc 2012
O:TU 102 Single Vineyard 2012
Church Road Reserve Chardonnay 2011
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 5 Bull Block Pinot Noir 2011
Waipara Springs Premo Pinot Noir 2010
Stanley Estate Albarino 2012
Tarras Vineyards the Canyon Pinot Noir 2009
Vidal Reserve Series Syrah 2010
Vidal White Label Series Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Villa Maria Private Bin Syrah 2010
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Southern Clays Sauvignon Blanc2012
Mansion House Bay Vineyard Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Marks and Spencer Single Block Series R3 Pinot Noir 2011 (Yealands)
Marks and Spencer Single Block Series S1 Sauvignon Blanc 2012 (Yealands)
Yealands Estate Grüner Veltliner 2012
Visit the IWC website for the full list of winners www.internationalwinechallenge.com
