Two New Zealand wines were named world champions at the 2022 International Wine Challenge in London last week. 

Giesen Wines 2019 Clayvin Syrah was awarded the Champion Organic Wine Trophy while the beloved Gimblett Gravels 2020 Chardonnay from Trinity Hill Wines in Hawke’s Bay was named Champion White Wine of the show. It is only the second time a New Zealand white has won the award.

The judges were impressed by Gimblett Gravels' "expressive yet nuanced nose" while its environmental credentials were recognised with the IWC Sustainable Trophy. 

Giesen Group's 2019 Clayvin Single Vineyard Marlborough Syrah also won the and NZ Syrah Trophy. The wine heralds from the renowned Clayvin Vineyard in the Southern Valleys of Marlborough, a vineyard that has historically set the standard for premium wines from Marlborough.  

The recent trophy win adds to the haul for the wine which was awarded the Marlborough Syrah Trophy in May and awarded 96 points awarded at 2022 International Wine Challenge. 

Giesen Group Chief Winemaker, Duncan Shouler said: “We’re delighted to have won this prestigious international award for our Clayvin Organic Syrah. The Clayvin vineyard is an important part of our company DNA and enables us to create some very special organic wines, which will continue to evolve over the next decade. The viticultural and winemaking teams meticulously manage every last detail of this special site, and it means so much to have the Syrah recognised on a global stage, against many worthy international competitors.”  

From a global field, there were just 22 Champion Wine Trophies awarded. Australian trophy winners were announced in May when Pinnacle Drinks' The Ethereal One Fleurieu Grenache, 2020 from South Australia was awarded the International Grenache Trophy.

Australian winemaker Ed Carr was shortlisted for the IWC Sparkling Winemaker of the Year but that title was ultimately won by Chef de Cave of Charles Heidsieck, Cyril Brun.

IWC Australian Trophy Winners:

  • International Grenache Trophy, Australian Red Trophy, South Australian Grenache Trophy: Pinnacle Drinks, The Ethereal One Fleurieu Grenache, 2020, South Australia
  • Australian White Trophy, Australian Chardonnay and Tasmanian Chardonnay Trophy: Tolpuddle Vineyard Chardonnay, 2020
  • Australian Sparkling Trophy: House of Arras, EJ Carr Late Disgorged 2006, Tasmania
  • Australian Fortified Trophy: Galway Pipe Fortified 25 Years NV, South Australia
  • South Australian Shiraz Trophy & Eden Valley Shiraz Trophy: Cimicky Estate’s Reserve Eden Valley Shiraz, 2019, South Australia
  • Western Australian Chardonnay Trophy & Great Southern Chardonnay Trophy: Ferngrove Diamond Chardonnay, 2020, Western Australia
  • Barossa Valley Shiraz Trophy: Golden Amrita Single Estate Shiraz, 2020, South Australia
  • Barossa Valley Shiraz Blend Trophy: Saint Petri Shiraz Carignan, 2020, Calabria Family Wines, South Australia
  • Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir Trophy: Sidewood Estate Pinot Noir, 2020, South Australia
  • Margaret River Chardonnay Trophy: Capel Vale’s Black Label Chardonnay, 2021, Western Australia
  • South Australia Chardonnay Trophy: Petaluma Piccadilly Valley Chardonnay, 2021, South Australia

The International Wine Challenge singles out the best of the best through a rigorous judging panel that sees each entrant tasted by a minimum of 12 wine experts across two rounds of judging. The wine is tested against its faithfulness to style, region and vintage by experts, industry leaders, commercial decision-makers, buyers and masters of wine to find the highest quality of wine each year.  

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