IWC 2019: The top wines and winemakers

The International Wine Challenge (IWC) has named its 2019 Trophy winners. Chosen from Gold medal-winning wines that have undergone further rigorous blind tasting by a panel of international wine experts, the Trophy winners are the best of the best from the world’s most influential wine competition.

Four years in a row: Syrah Trophy win for New Zealand

New Zealand has been awarded the International Syrah Trophy for the fourth year in a row. The best Syrah has been named as Te Awanga Estate’s Trademark Syrah 2015, which won the Hawke's Bay Syrah Trophy and International Syrah Trophy. As well as an internationally unrivalled Syrah, the Te Awanga Estate wine was also awarded the New Zealand Red Trophy, fighting off stiff competition from New Zealand’s world-famous Pinot Noirs.
IWC co-chair Peter McCombie MW said: “There isn’t much Syrah planted in New Zealand but what there is makes world-class wine. Stylistically closer to Rhone Valley than Barossa Valley, we expect New Zealand Syrah to have abundant fruit and remarkable freshness. Te Awanga, winner of the New Zealand Red Trophy, is a brilliant example of this style.”
Less surprising perhaps is the news that New Zealand also produces the leading Sauvignon Blanc. Saint Clair Family Estate’s Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2018 took the New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Trophy and International Sauvignon Blanc Trophy.

Own-label supermarket wines amongst the best in the world

Any doubt over the quality of UK supermarket own-label wine can be cast aside after IWC 2019. Two supermarket own-label wines were awarded Trophies this year. Waitrose Côtes de Provence Rosé 2018 won the Provence Rosé Trophy and Tesco took home the Amarone Trophy for its Cantina Valpantena’s Tesco Finest Amarone 2015.

Italy crowned Rosé champion

Provence may be the most famous rosé region in the world, but a Sicilian rosé made from Nerello Mascalese has been awarded the International Rosé Trophy. Torre Mora’s Scalunera Etna Rosato 2018 scored 96 points on its way to receiving both the Sicilian Rosé Trophy and the International Rosé Trophy.

Burgundy still top for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir

The IWC Trophy results also confirm a few things long recognised by wine experts:

• The top Chardonnay is from France’s Chablis region; Domaine Christian Moreau’s Chablis Grand Cru les Clos 2017 won four Trophies - Chablis Grand Cru Trophy, White Burgundy Trophy, French White Trophy, and International Chardonnay Trophy.
• France’s Burgundy region also produced the top Pinot Noir in the competition, Château de Santenay’s Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru 2017 which won the Clos du Vougeot Trophy, Red Burgundy Trophy and International Pinot Noir Trophy.

First red success for China

To celebrate the increase in quality from China, the IWC judging panel awarded a Chinese Red Trophy for the first time this year, with the top gong going to China Great Wall’s Five Star Cabernet Sauvignon 2016.

Winemakers of the Year shortlist

The IWC has also announced the shortlist for its Winemaker of the Year 2019. The winner will be announced at the IWC 2019 Awards Dinner on July 9, 2019, at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London.
The shortlist shows that the 2018 Winemakers of the Year in each category are putting up a strong fight to retain their titles (namely Hervé J. Fabre, Didier Séguier, Sergio Martínez, Cherie Spriggs, and Helmut Lang).

Shortlisted IWC Red Winemaker of the Year 2019
• Bodegas Fabre - Hervé J. Fabre
• Bird in Hand – Dylan Lee
• Edouard Delaunay - Christophe Briotet
• Wolf Blass - Chris Hatcher & Steven Frost

Shortlisted IWC White Winemaker of the Year 2019
• La Chablisienne - Vincent Bartement
• McGuigan - Neil McGuigan
• William Fevre - Didier Séguier

Shortlisted IWC Fortified Winemaker of the Year 2019
• Emilio Lustau - Sergio Martínez
• Morris Wines - David Morris
• González Byass - Antonio Flores

Shortlisted IWC Sparkling Winemaker of the Year 2019
• Nyetimber - Cherie Spriggs
• Charles Heidsieck - Cyril Brun
• Domaine Chandon California - Pauline Lhote
• Champagne Rare - Régis Camus

Shortlisted IWC Sweet Winemaker of the Year 2019
• Weingut Helmut Lang - Helmut Lang
• Hans Tschida - Hans Tschida
• Weingut Horst Sauer - Horst & Sandra Sauer

IWC Own Label of the Year Shortlist 2019
• Aldi
• Berry Brothers & Rudd
• Marks & Spencer
• Tesco

For the full list of Trophy winners, click here

For the full list of Great Value Awards, click here.