2006 saw a bumper harvest for the International Wine & Spirit Competition, with entries approaching 6,000 – a new record. There has also been a huge increase in countries participating in 2006, up from 57 in 2005 to 73 in 2006 – Competition winners can now be found from Puerto Rico to Mongolia.
The IWSC always holds a few surprises and this year is no different, highlights included:
South Africa are top trophy winners with 6 Product Trophies being awarded to South African products. A Canadian Shiraz wins The Rosemount Estate Trophy for Shiraz/Syrah, beating entries from Shiraz giant Australia.
Both the Frescobaldi Trophy for Vintage Red Wine (over 5 years) and the Winecorp Trophy for Merlot awarded to French wines – the first time the Competition has seen French product Trophy winners for a number of years. English sparkling wine comes out top again, with Nyetimber Classic Cuvee 1998 being awarded the Yarden Trophy for Bottle Fermented Sparkling Wine.
The Scotch whisky category hit a new record entry of over 300 products, spirits entries as a whole increased by 16%.
Frances Horder, Competition Director commented: "It’s always exciting to watch the winners being selected on trophy judging days. Having completed the earlier heats top winning products are re-assessed (blind) competing from across the globe for 38 product trophies."
Interesting winners include: the Shiraz selection - for many years going to a top Australian producer, this year a Canadian; and 2 top product trophies going to France. Most notable this year was the fact that judges seemed to favour lower alcohols in their final selections.
Shortlists are put together by looking at overall performance against entry giving an indication of the overall quality. This was extremely difficult this year due to the high standards reached by our participants.
All those reaching the finals and on display for tasting at the Showcase and all those reaching shortlist status must be truly proud of their achievement and need congratulating, the Competition was tough.
Shortlists for trophies including: Wolf Blass Winemaker of the Year, The Gallo Family Vineyards European Retailer of the Year Trophy and the V& S Distiller of the Year Trophy were also released at the Showcase Tasting. The winners will be revealed at the International Wine & Spirit Awards Banquet & Presentation held on Tuesday 31 October at Old Billingsgate.
The full list of Product Trophy results announced on Thursday, are as follows, awards listings can be found on our website
www.iwsc.net.
Spirits Trophies
a’bunadh Trophy for Special Edition Single Malt WhiskyWinner: Glenfiddich Ancient Reserve 18 Year Old
The Whyte & Mackay Trophy for Cask Strength Scotch Whisky
Winner: Laphroaig 10 Year Old Cask Strength
The IWSC Trophy for CognacWinner: Courvoisier Initiale XO Cognac
The IWSC Trophy for Fruit Spirits (distilled)
Winner: Zwack Nemes Palinka Mulberry
Greenalls Trophy for Gin
Winner: Finsbury Platinum Gin
Jim Murray Trophy for Rum
Winner: Inner Circle Rum (Black Dot)
The IWSC Trophy for Liqueur
Winner: Crème De Cassis, Gabriel Boudier
Morrison Bowmore Distillers Trophy for Single Malt Scotch Whisky (Over 15 YO)
Winner: Talisker 18 Year Old
The IWSC Trophy for the Best Single Malt Scotch Whisky (15 YO or Under)
Winner: Glenkinchie Distillers Edition
V & S Luksusowa Trophy for Vodka
Winner: Renat Brännvin Vodka
Arcus Trophy for Aquavit
Winner: Gammel Opland Aquavit
William Grant & Sons Independence Trophy for Blended Scotch Whisky
Winner: Dimple Original Deluxe 18 Year Old
The Distell Trophy for Worldwide Brandy
Winner: Torres 20
The Deagrosur Trophy for Pisco
Winner: Pisco Chuquimanca
The Brown Forman Trophy for Worldwide Whisky/Whiskey
Winner: The YAMAZAKI Single Malt Whisky Aged 18 Years
Wine Trophies
German Wine Institute Trophy for Riesling
Winner: Peter Lehmann Reserve Riesling 2001
Mission Hill Trophy for Chardonnay
Winner: Uva Mira Vineyard Selection Chardonnay 2004
The IWSC Trophy for Sauvignon Blanc
Winner: Astrolabe Sauvignon Blanc 2005
Bouchard Finlayson Trophy for Pinot Noir
Winner: Villa Maria Reserve Pinot Noir 2004
Carpineto Trophy for Sangiovese
Winner: Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Greppone Mazzi 2000
Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande Trophy for Blended Red Wine
Winner: Meerlust Rubicon 2001
Rosemount Estate Trophy for Shiraz/Syrah
Winner: Jackson-Triggs Grand Reserve Shiraz 2004
Frescobaldi Trophy for Vintage Red Wine (over 5 years)
Winner: Chateau D’Aiguilhe 2001, Cotes de Castillon
KWV International Trophy for Pinotage
Winner: Stormhoek Pinotage 2005
Penfolds Trophy for Australian Red Wine
Winner: Yalumba The Octavius Old Vine Barossa Shiraz 2002
The Spier Trophy for Chenin Blanc
Winner: Bellingham “The Maverick “ Chenin Blanc 2004
The IWSC Trophy for Single Estate Wine
Winner: Leasingham Classic Clare Riesling 2002
Warren Winiarski Trophy for Cabernet Sauvignon
Winner: Saxenburg Private Collection Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
Winecorp Trophy for Merlot
Winner: L’Egregore 2003
Wines of Chile Trophy for Carmenère
Winner: Viña Arboleda Carmenère
Champagne & Sparkling Wine Trophies
Oenologique de Champagne Trophy for Non Vintage Champagne
Winner: Charles Heidsieck Reserve Charlie Mis en Cave 1990
The IWSC Trophy for Special Edition Champagne
Winner: Charles Heidsieck Reserve Charlie Mis en Cave 1990
The IWSC Trophy for Vintage Champagne
Winner: Charles Heidsieck Champagne Brut Millèsime 1989
Yarden Trophy for Bottle Fermented Sparkling Wine
Winner: Nyetimber Classic Cuvee 1998
Dessert Wine & Port Trophies
De Bortoli Trophy for Botrytis Wine
Winner: Nederburg Noble Late Harvest 2005
Inniskillin Trophy for Icewine/Eiswein
Winner: Gutsverwaltung Niederhausen-Schlossböckelheim Niederhäuser Hermannsberg Riesling Eiswein 2004
Symington Family Port Companies Trophy for Port Wine
Winner: Dows 30 Year Old Tawny Port
For further details on any of the above or for information on Sponsoring an IWSC Trophy please contact Lesley Gray at
lesley@iwsc.co.uk , or by telephone on 014 835-48963.