International Wine Challenge 2023 names wines and winemakers of the year

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LONDON, July 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Wine Challenge, the world's most influential, impartial, and rigorously judged global wine competition, has announced the highest scoring wines of its 2023 competition along with its five Winemakers of the Year.

Following a series of intensive blind tastings by an international panel of experts, wines from nine countries earnt themselves a spot on the coveted list, which is comprised of International Trophy winners (wines named the best example of that variety) as well as the competition's five Champion wines (the ultimate accolade reserved for those wines deemed the absolute finest in their category).

New Zealand's Natalie Christensen named IWC's White Winemaker of the Year

-  Natalie Christensen, chief winemaker at Yealands Wine Group, has been awarded the prestigious title of IWC White Winemaker of the Year. Yealands Wine Group also won 12 medals as well as the New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Trophy for its Yealands Estate Single Block S1 Sauvignon Blanc 2022.

-  Marlborough producer Giesen Group also shone, achieving 20 medals as well as the International Syrah Trophy for its Giesen Single Vineyard Clayvin Syrah 2021. 

-  The Organic Trophy went to Greystone Wines in Waipara for its Greystone Chardonnay 2021

Chile claims Red Winemaker of the Year for the first time

An impressive first came for Chile, which claimed the Red Winemaker of the Year award.

-  This title went to Rafael Urrejola, chief winemaker at Viña Undurraga. In total, the Maipo Valley winery claimed twelve medals as well as all three of the country's regional trophies plus the Chilean Red Trophy. This went to its T.H. Carignan Maule 2021 which judges described as "Fruity with plums, bramble fruit, forest and mulberries."

Argentinian Malbec named as world's best

Argentina's reputation for world-class Malbec was left in no doubt as the nation reclaimed the International Malbec Trophy, which it last won in 2018.

-  This title went to Huentala Wines for its "incredibly vibrant and intense" Huentala Calizo Carmin Block 3 2020 which also won the Argentinian Red Trophy and the Mendoza Malbec Trophy.

-  Argentinian producer Bodega Argento won the IWC Fairtrade Award with Artesano de Argento Organic Fairtrade Malbec 2021, which judges described as "aromatic with rose petals and cooked fruit."

IWC Co-Chair Helen McGinn commented: "It's wonderful to see the Red Winemaker of the Year go to a Chilean producer for the first time. Viña Undurraga had a spectacular year and beating all other nations to claim this prestigious title proves that Rafael's exceptional talent can stand up to the expertise of Old World producers."

Wines judged "best in show" at the International Wine Challenge 2023:

IWC Winemakers of the Year 2023:

The full list of Trophy and Champion award winners at the 2023 International Wine Challenge released on 4^th July can be found here.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

In its 39^th year, the International Wine Challenge is widely acknowledged as the world's most rigorous, impartial, influential and global wine competition. The IWC assesses every wine 'blind' and judges each for its faithfulness to style, region and vintage. Awards include medals (Gold, Silver, Bronze) and Commended awards. Trophies are awarded to the very best wines in each category. The International Wine Challenge is committed to helping consumers discover great wine, and the medals offer a trusted guarantee of quality.

SOURCE IWC