Over the past week, Australian wine has again reinforced its value on the world stage, leading out all other countries at both the International Wine & Spirit Competition’s trophy awards and VINUS International Wine & Spirits Competition.
On top of that, results from the 2024 Pinot Noir Challenge shine a light on the diversity of cool climate Australian wine.
IWSC trophy winners
To determine its trophy winners each year, the IWSC panel retastes all gold medal winning wines from the IWSC competition, with only the very best receiving trophies. For this year’s instalment, Australia and Spain both topped the trophy count with four apiece. Whereas Spain received trophies for four sherries, Australia led the world in still dry wines, with two still red wines, one still white wine, and one fortified Muscat receiving trophy recognition. The winners were:
- 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 also received a trophy in the IWSC’s Alternative Drinks awards, becoming the only non-alcoholic wine to do so. According to Michael Bright, Founder, “the award is a true testament to the team’s hard work and passion.
“We are delighted to announce that our Premium Reserve Sparkling Shiraz has received its second trophy this year. Our commitment to innovation and exceptional quality continues to drive us, as we strive to further elevate the alcohol-removed category and set new standards in the industry.”
2024 Pinot Noir Challenge
Bremley Vineyard’s 2023 Bremley Pinot Noir has been named the overall winner of the 2024 Pinot Noir Challenge, marking the fifth consecutive year that a Tasmanian winery has clinched the top spot.
Despite this, Tom Carson, who led the 2024 judging panel, said second place recipient - Giant Steps from the Yarra Valley - was scored very close behind.
"While the 2023 Bremley Pinot Noir from the Coal River came out on top, it was a tight competition for first place, with the Yarra Valley's 2023 Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard Pinot Noir an extremely close second, requiring lengthy deliberations from the judges to finalise the winner," he said.
In addition to its second place winning 2023 Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard Pinot Noir, Giant Steps received gold medals for all of its four entries.
Reflecting on the win, James Bresnehan, owner of Bremley Vineyard, said “we were blown away to get the call for this award.
“We’ve predominantly sold fruit to other producers, including Penfolds for its well-known Yattarna label. We knew the fruit was exceptional, and the desire to create iconic single-vineyard wines grew stronger. That opportunity finally came in 2021 when we teamed up with acclaimed winemakers Justin Bubb and Anna Pooley."
Lindsay McCall, Chair of the Pinot Challenge, says that the Pinot Challenge reinforces Australia’s reputation for producing world class Pinot Noir.
“The Pinot Noir Challenge celebrates the complexity and elegance of this variety,” he said.
“It also highlights the incredible wines from all regions and showcases the ethereal nature of this captivating and complex grape, which has earned its place as one of the world’s most exclusive and expensive wines."
The regional winners are as follows:
- 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
VINUS International Wine & Spirits Competition
Also announced this week, Taylors’ Jaraman Shiraz 2022 was crowned Champion Red Wine at the VINUS International Wines & Spirits Competition, South America’s most important wine competition. The Jaraman Shiraz, which carries an RRP of $34, was scored a 99-point rating at the event.
“We are truly honoured to again be acknowledged with a top accolade at VINUS for the third year in a row,” said Mitchell Taylor, Managing Director.
“The Jaraman wines are an ode to the incredible terroir of our famed winemaking regions across Australia and we feel so proud to have our backyard acknowledged once again on the world stage for premium wine… I’m not often lost for words, but this achievement fills me with immense pride in the entire Taylors team.”
Taylors also received recognition for having the Best Series of Five Wines, with four of its submissions landing in the top 10 overall wines tasted at the competition.
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