International Wine Challenge 2023 announces winners and sets new standards

In the discerning world of wine, the International Wine Challenge (IWC) is widely respected as the globe's foremost authority. The 2023 iteration of this competition has just revealed its verdict, identifying not only the highest scoring wines but also the most accomplished winemakers in categories of red, white, sparkling, sweet, and fortified wines.

The selection process was arduous, with an international panel of experts conducting intensive blind tastings. Eventually, nine countries managed to secure a coveted spot on the prestigious list, which included International Trophy winners and the competition's five Champion wines - the highest honor for the finest wines in their categories.

France, a country renowned for its wine heritage, led the pack by capturing more medals than any other nation, and an impressive three out of the five distinguished Champion awards. The Champion Red Wine was bestowed upon Edouard Delaunay's Chambertin Grand Cru Rouge 2020. In an equally compelling story, Michel Tissot & Fils' Château-Chalon Vin Jaune 2015 emerged as Champion White Wine, becoming the first Vin Jaune to achieve this status, and Rare Millésime 2008 was crowned Champion Sparkling Wine.

German wines have long been associated with a knack for sweet wines, and the 2023 IWC attested to this. The Champion Sweet Wine was awarded to Weingut Hans Wirsching's Iphöfer Julius-Echter-Berg Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese 2021. The winery also took home the German White Trophy, demonstrating its comprehensive winemaking prowess.

Spain's illustrious reputation in fortified wine production remained unchallenged. For the first time, Bodegas Fernando De Castilla clinched the Champion Fortified Wine with its Oloroso Singular. Marcos Alguacil from Bodegas Osborne was crowned the Fortified Winemaker of the Year.

Argentinian Malbec reaffirmed its world-class status. The International Malbec Trophy went to Huentala Wines' Huentala Calizo Carmin Block 3 2020. The Argentinian Red Trophy and the Mendoza Malbec Trophy further amplified the country's accomplishment.

Australia made a splash by garnering accolades for fortified wine and Cabernet Sauvignon. Paragon Wine Estates' Riddoch The Pastoralist Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 clinched the International Cabernet Sauvignon Trophy, and Morris Wines was awarded the IWC Award for Consistency over 5 years.

Austria had an exceptional year with notable wins for Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, and Sweet Winemaker of the Year. Weingut Schneeberger clinched the International Sauvignon Blanc Trophy, Winzer Krems Eg won the International Riesling Trophy, and Hans Tschida from Angerhof Tschida was named the Sweet Winemaker of the Year for the third consecutive year.

New Zealand's Natalie Christensen of Yealands Wine Group was crowned IWC's White Winemaker of the Year, a testament to her exceptional talents. Fellow Marlborough producer Giesen Group and Greystone Wines also notched up significant wins in the competition.

South African Chardonnay made its mark in this year's challenge with Paul Cluver Wines taking home the International Chardonnay Trophy for its Seven Flags Chardonnay 2021, which also garnered the South African White Trophy and the IWC Sustainable Trophy 2023, recognising the winery's commitment to eco-friendly practices.

Chile made an impressive debut by securing the Red Winemaker of the Year award for the first time, courtesy of Rafael Urrejola, chief winemaker at Viña Undurraga. The winery, which claimed twelve medals in total, was the only Chilean producer to win a trophy this year.

English wine producer Lympstone Manor Estate claimed the highly coveted trophy for Best Wine in First Year of Production with its Triassic Pinot Noir 2020, affirming England's standing in global red wine production.

Wines judged "best in show" at the International Wine Challenge 2023

1. France Rare Champagne Millésime 2008 IWC Champion Sparkling Wine 2023 - Daniel Thibault Trophy, Champagne Trophy, Vintage Classic Blend Champagne Trophy
2. France Edouard Delaunay Chambertin Grand Cru Rouge 2020 IWC Champion Red Wine 2023, International Pinot Noir Trophy, French Red Trophy, Chambertin Trophy, Burgundy Red Trophy
3. France Michel Tissot & Fils Château-Chalon Vin Jaune 2015 IWC Champion White Wine 2023, French White Trophy, Jura White Trophy
4. Germany Weingut Hans Wirsching Iphöfer Julius-Echter-Berg Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese 2021 IWC Champion Sweet Wine 2023 - Alois Kracher Trophy, German Sweet Trophy
5. Spain Bodegas Fernando De Castilla Oloroso Singular IWC Champion Fortified Wine 2023 - Manuel Lozano Trophy, Sherry Trophy, Oloroso Trophy
6. Argentina Huentala Calizo Carmin Block 3 2020 International Malbec Trophy, Argentinian Red Trophy, Mendoza Malbec Trophy
7. Australia Paragon Wine Estates Riddoch The Pastoralist Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 International Cabernet Sauvignon Trophy, Australian Cabernet Sauvignon Trophy
8. Austria Winzer Krems Eg Kremser Kreuzberg Riesling Kremstal Dac Reserve 2021 International Riesling Trophy, Austrian White Trophy, Austrian Riesling Trophy
9. Austria Weingut Schneeberger Sauvignon Blanc Kittenberg Südsteiermark 2021 International Sauvignon Blanc Trophy, Austrian Sauvignon Blanc Trophy
10. New Zealand Giesen Single Vineyard Clayvin Syrah 2021 International Syrah Trophy, New Zealand Red Trophy, New Zealand Syrah Trophy
11. New Zealand Greystone Wines, Greystone Chardonnay 2021 Organic Trophy, New Zealand White Trophy, New Zealand Chardonnay Trophy
12. South Africa Paul Cluver Seven Flags Chardonnay 2021 International Chardonnay Trophy, IWC Sustainable Trophy, South African White Trophy
13. England Lympstone Manor Estate Triassic Pinot Noir 2020 Best Wine in First Year of Production, English Red Trophy

IWC Winemakers of the Year 2023

• France - Sparkling Winemaker of the Year: Emilien Boutillat, Rare Champagne
• Chile - Red Winemaker of the Year: Rafael Urrejola, Viña Undurraga
• New - Zealand White Winemaker of the Year: Natalie Christensen, Yealands Wine Group
• Austria - Sweet Winemaker of the Year: Hans Tschida, Angerhof Tschida
• Spain - Fortified Winemaker of the Year: Marcos Alguacil, Bodegas Osborne

The 39th edition of the International Wine Challenge has once again validated the competition's reputation as a rigorous, impartial, and influential global wine adjudicator. As it celebrates excellence, it also facilitates consumers in discovering and appreciating exquisite wines, fortified by the trust vested in its medals and awards. The IWC continues to hold the torch high, illuminating the path for future vintages and winemaking standards worldwide.