Australia & NZ show off diversity

The International Wine & Spirit Competition has announced its final wave of medal and trophy results for 2013, with Australia and New Zealand impressing across a broad stylistic spectrum.

While the Barossa’s Bethany Wines scooped Gold Outstanding medals for its Riesling and Shiraz, All Saints Estate on the Murray River took home not only a clutch of medals for its Muscats, but also the 2013 Fortified Wine trophy.

Australia’s Gatt Wines in Eden Valley may have scooped the Shiraz trophy, but despite the high reputation of the country’s Chardonnay, this trophy was won by Jules Taylor Wines in Marlborough, New Zealand. Another particularly strong Kiwi performer was Yealands Estate, which won 28 medals and the Sauvignon Blanc trophy.

This success for New Zealand, which took home a total of three trophies, exemplified the breadth of its appeal beyond the country’s popular Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir offerings.

While these two styles performed well, New Zealand also won Gold and Gold Outstanding medals for its Chardonnay, Riesling, Gewurztraminer and Syrah.

Remarking on this diversification of its strengths, New Zealand panel chair Angela Reddin commented: “I think New Zealand is quietly harnessing a number of varieties to support and sustain the momentum of Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.”

In total the New World won 15 of the 24 wine trophies, of which seven were claimed by Australia and three by Wolf Blass alone.

European trophy highlights saw Champagnes Piper and Charles Heidsieck dominate their category, while the Bottle-Fermented Sparkling Wine trophy went to England’s Gusbourne Estate for its Brut Reserve 2008.

For the full list of medals and trophies visit www.iwsc.net. Many of these wines and spirits will be available to taste at the IWSC annual awards banquet on 13 November, where the biggest trophies including Winemaker of the Year and Distiller of the Year will be announced.