Australia takes top spot at 2021 London Wine Competition

Australia’s 2015 Anubis Cabernet Sauvignon made by Levrier Wines in the Barossa Valley has been awarded Wine of the Year in the fourth annual London Wine Competition.

At the 2021 London Wine Competition, products are judged by Quality, Value and Package by some of the world's leading tastemakers in wine including 14 Master Sommeliers, 14 Masters of Wines as well as some of London's leading wine buyers.

Winemaker Jo Irvine's career began following her father, James Irvine, around the winery, undertaking the ritual tasting of ferments and wine blending at seven years of age. Her father is known as the “Master Merlot Maker”.

Upon hearing the news Joanne Irvine said, “What a fantastic accolade to win for a small family-owned winery in the Barossa. World Class Wine Shows like the London Wine Competition understand the importance of the creative process involved in making a beautiful work of art, both on the inside and the outside of the bottle, that really appeals to wine lovers.

I spent years with my small team bringing Levrier to life, from vineyard to final packaging, so I am genuinely delighted to be recognized with these awards.”

“Winning an award is particularly important to us because it not only shows that we are making the types of wines that wine drinkers actually want to buy and enjoy, but also that we are making the types of wines that the trade wants to include in their lists.”

Sid Patel, CEO and founder of the Beverage Trade Network that presents the awards said, “It's amazing to see Australia top the London Wine Competition again. This year 3 out of 6 top wines were Australian. Mr Riggs 2014 The Chap from Mr Riggs Wine Co and 2019 Brothers in Arms Cabernet Sauvignon from Brothers in Arms Vineyards Pty Ltd secured the second highest scores.

"Australia was also the leading entrant into this year’s competition showing the shift from China as their focus country, along with the United States market. "

Mr Riggs 2014 The Chap Shiraz - made with fruit from McLaren Vale and the Coonawarra - was named best varietal in the world and Bannockburn's Clyde Park 2020 Single Block F College Pinot Noir the best of its kind in the world.

To be awarded a medal, wines must show an overall rating in Quality, Value and Packaging. This year’s competition saw entries from more than 36 countries and 135 different types of grape varietals entered. The top three were Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. The countries with the greatest number of entrants were Australia, Italy, Spain, France, Portugal, United States and Moldova. The biggest increase in wines was seen from Moldova

The London Wine Competition is an international wine competition organised by Beverage Trade Network. The competition looks to recognise, reward and help promote wine brands that have successfully been created to identify with and target a specific wine drinker profile.