Over the past week, Australian wines have reaffirmed their global standing, emerging victorious at both the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) and the VINUS International Wine & Spirits Competition, underscoring the country’s dominance in the wine industry.
IWSC Trophy Winners Highlight Australian Excellence
The IWSC’s annual trophy awards celebrate the world’s finest wines, with winners chosen from gold medalists across various categories. Australia once again led the world in still dry wines, taking home four trophies, a remarkable achievement shared only with Spain.
While Spain claimed trophies for its sherries, Australia’s winners spanned a diverse range of wines. The IWSC awarded trophies to the following Australian wines:
- Deep Woods Estate Reserve Chardonnay 2020
- Coward & Black Vineyards The Black Prince Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
- Dandelion Vineyards Firehawk Shiraz 2022
- Campbells Merchant Prince Rare Muscat NV
Additionally, Edenvale’s alcohol-removed Premium Reserve Sparkling Shiraz NV made history as the only non-alcoholic wine to win a trophy in the IWSC’s Alternative Drinks category. Michael Bright, Founder of Edenvale, celebrated the achievement, stating that it marked a significant milestone in their mission to elevate the alcohol-free wine sector.
2024 Pinot Noir Challenge: Tasmania’s Reign Continues
The 2024 Pinot Noir Challenge crowned Bremley Vineyard’s 2023 Bremley Pinot Noir as the overall winner, marking the fifth consecutive year that a Tasmanian winery has claimed the top prize. The competition saw intense deliberation, with second place going to Giant Steps’ 2023 Sexton Vineyard Pinot Noir from the Yarra Valley.
Tom Carson, who led the judging panel, noted that the competition was exceptionally close, with both wines receiving high praise for their quality. Giant Steps also earned gold medals for all four of its Pinot Noir entries, demonstrating the strength and consistency of the winery’s offerings.
James Bresnehan, owner of Bremley Vineyard, expressed his pride in the win, reflecting on the vineyard’s journey from supplying fruit to top producers like Penfolds, to creating its own iconic single-vineyard wines with acclaimed winemakers Justin Bubb and Anna Pooley.
Lindsay McCall, Chair of the Pinot Noir Challenge, highlighted the significance of the event in showcasing Australia’s ability to produce world-class Pinot Noir, celebrating the complexity and elegance of this sought-after variety.
VINUS Competition Success: Taylors Wines Shines
At the VINUS International Wine & Spirits Competition, one of South America’s premier wine events, Taylors Wines earned recognition with its Jaraman Shiraz 2022, which was named Champion Red Wine. Scoring an impressive 99 points, the wine stood out for its exceptional quality and depth.
Mitchell Taylor, Managing Director of Taylors Wines, expressed his immense pride in receiving such an accolade for the third consecutive year. He credited the win to the exceptional terroir of Australia’s renowned wine regions, highlighting the global recognition of Australian winemaking expertise.
In addition to the Champion Red Wine award, Taylors Wines was also honored for having the Best Series of Five Wines, with four of its entries securing spots in the top 10 overall wines at the competition.
Regional Pinot Noir Winners
In addition to the overall winners, the 2024 Pinot Noir Challenge also recognized the best wines from specific Australian regions. The regional winners were:
Geelong: 2023 Bellbrae Estate Bird Rock Pinot Noir
Gippsland: 2023 Dirty Three ‘Dirt 2’ Pinot Noir
Great Southern: 2023 Marchand & Birch Mount Barrow Pinot Noir
Manjimup: 2023 Lonely Shore DeiTos Vineyard Pinot Noir
Mornington Peninsula: 2023 Montalto Single Vineyard Tuerong Pinot Noir
Yarra Valley: 2023 Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard Pinot Noir
Tasmania: 2023 Bremley Vineyard Pinot Noir
These victories underscore Australia’s expanding influence in the world of fine wine, particularly in cool climate regions known for producing exceptional Pinot Noir. As Australian winemakers continue to innovate and refine their craft, the future looks promising for the country’s continued leadership on the world stage.
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