New Zealand winemakers have achieved a high level of excellence at the 30th International Wine Challenge, winning 38 Gold medals in a record year of success.
Thirteen of the much coveted Gold medals were awarded to Pinot Noir. "New Zealand's Pinot just gets better and better and it is hard to beat in terms of quality, consistency and value. One theme that came through in judging this year was the regional diversity. This is great news for New Zealand Pinot and one that suggests that vine age is now starting to have a significant impact," says Sam Harrop MW, co-chairman of the IWC. Sauvignon Blanc also scored highly, collecting 11 of the 38 Gold medals awarded to New Zealand.
Emerging grape varieties fared well in the hands of New Zealand winemakers with Grüner Veltliner – typically found in Austria – and Albarino, which stems from Spain and Portugal, both picking up Gold.
“The New Zealand Gold medal wines at this year’s International Wine Challenge have been stunning. We’ve come to expect excellent Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc from them, and as usual they have delivered, but their ability to cultivate foreign grapes shows their mastery of their craft. These wines have been tasted against thousands of contenders so it is a tremendous achievement that will catapult their product to an international audience," says Charles Metcalfe, co-chairman of the IWC.
The International Wine Challenge is regarded as one of the world's most meticulously judged wine competitions.
