IWC 2024: The champion wines

The 2024 International Wine Challenge will be remembered as the year orange wines came of age. By me, at least.
With four orange wines winning gold medals, 2024 was already a good year for skin-contact whites. Then, Borgo Savaian di Stefano Bastiani’s Aransat 2022 won the Italian White Trophy – the first time in IWC history that a skin-contact wine had won this award. Judges described Aransat as “very classy,” praising its “enticing mandarin orange, quince and yellow apple flavours”.
That surprising result, however, was eclipsed last night – when the champion wines were announced at the IWC Awards in London. For the first time, a skin-contact white was crowned Champion White. Fittingly, the honour went to a Georgian wine – the Kisi Qvevri 2021 from Kakheti producer Vazisubani Estate. The judges described it as “chalky textured and flavourful with baked apple, pears and a rich, lightly grippy, phenolic finish”. 

IWC Champion White Wine 2024

Vazisubani Estate Kisi Qvevri 2021


The Vazisubani Estate Kisi Qvevri 2021 is a dry amber wine from relatively young vineyards in Georgia’s premier wine region, Kakheti. The vines were planted in 2016 and, in 2021, yielded 50-60hl/ha.
The handpicked grapes were partially destemmed with whole berries and 30% whole bunches going into the qvevris for spontaneous fermentation (the percentage of stems depends on the vintage and their maturity).
The qvevris at Vazisubani Estate vary in size from 1,300 to 2,500L. Because they are buried in the ground, winemaker Lado Uzunashvili says the fermentation temperature is never “too high”, so it easier to retain “the true characters of the year”.
After fermenting dry, various qvevris are combined to top them up for five to six months’ skin contact. After this long maceration, the wine is taken off skins and allowed to breathe.


“A slight oxygen uptake helps the wine to develop, even to clarify faster,” Lado says. But, of course, it has to be controlled as they do not want the wine to oxidate. They want to retain the grape’s aroma expression as much as possible, but they also want the added complexity of some secondary aromas.
“Only with controlled oxygen uptake do we develop waxy, toasty, dry fruit aromas and flavours,” he points out.
The wine is protected with SO2 on reception and during settling and the level is topped up prior to bottling.
After the limited exposure to oxygen, the wine is transferred to a qvevri or tank “for further clarification and style formation”.
Once the style has been reached, the wine is filtered and bottled, resting in bottles for five or six months before release.

The other champion wines

IWC Champion Wines 2024

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IWC Champion Sweet Wine 2024
Tenuta Di Capezzana Vinsanto di Carmignano Capezzana Riserva 2016



This Vinsanto from Tuscany has been recognised as the best sweet wine in the world.
It also won the title of IWC Champion Sweet Wine in 2022, 2021 and 2019.


IWC Champion Fortified Wine 2024
Bodegas Espinosa De Los Monteros Palo Cortado VORS



For the fourth year in a row, Jerez has taken the title of IWC Champion Fortified Wine. This year, Bodegas Espinosa De Los Monteros impressed the IWC’s international experts with its Palo Cortado VORS, which they described as “a dry sherry for connoisseurs”.


IWC Champion Sparkling Wine 2024
Rare Champagne Millésime Magnum 2008



For the third year in a row, Rare Champagne has received this award. This year, for its Millésime Magnum 2008, which impressed judges with its “fine glistening fresh acidity and gorgeous pastry cream and hazelnut softness”.


IWC Champion Red Wine 2024
Edouard Delaunay Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru 2021



For the second year in a row, Burgundy producer Edouard Delaunay took home the prestigious title of IWC Champion Red Wine. This adds to the four trophies already awarded to its Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru 2021 in this year’s competition: International Pinot Noir Trophy, French Red Trophy, Burgundy Red Trophy, and Charmes-Chambertin Trophy.
With a total of 26 medals and nine trophies under its belt, Edouard Delaunay is the most highly awarded producer in this year’s competition and winemaker Laurent Delaunay was given the ultimate accolade of IWC Red Winemaker of the Year.

The other top wines at IWC 2024

IWC Fairtrade Award 2024
Bodega Argento Artesano de Argento Organic Fairtrade Malbec 2022


IWC Sustainable Trophy 2024
Shaw + Smith Balhannah Vineyard Shiraz 2021


Shaw + Smith’s Balhannah Vineyard Shiraz 2021 – described by judges as “refreshing and alive in the mouth with blue and black fruits” – was awarded five trophies, including the Australian Red Trophy and the IWC Sustainable Trophy.


IWC Organic Trophy 2024
Kennedy Point Vineyard Syrah 2021


In addition to two golds and two silvers, Auckland producer Kennedy Point Vineyard beat wines from 11 countries to claim the International Syrah Trophy. The winning Syrah 2021, which judges described as “everything you could desire from a cool-climate Syrah”, also took the IWC Organic Trophy.


Best Wine in the First Year of Production 2024
Mas den Blei Setze Brots 2017


Priorat producer Mas d’en Blei’s Setze Brots 2017 was presented with the IWC Trophy for Best Wine in First Year of Production. Judges praised its “fine chalky tannins” and “vibrant acidity”, describing it as “structured and taut with lovely intensity”.


IWC Award for Consistency over 5 years
Maison Albert Bichot


Over the past five years, Maison Albert Bichot has been awarded 11 trophies, 33 gold, 21 silver and 6 bronze medals at the IWC – and not a single unawarded wine! This award is a tribute to Alain Serveau, who has been technical director since 1995 and is now retiring.

Meet the IWC Winemakers of the Year here.