Competition results announced at the London International Wine Fair
Initial results of the International Wine Challenge (IWC), the Decanter World Wine Awards and the International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) were released during the London International Wine Fair and German wines have a number of medals to get excited about.
The IWC is one of the biggest blind tastings in the world with over 9,000 entries. The wines are tasted by 400 judges over a period of two weeks. This year judges included experienced tasters such as Tim Atkin and Oz Clarke and Wines of Germany’s very own Alicia Mellish and Natalie Potts.
German wines scooped a stunning 51 commendations, 52 bronze, 47 silver and 9 gold medals.
Gold medal winners included:
• 2006 Casteller Schlossberg Rieslaner Trockenbeerenauslese, Fürstlich Castell’sches Domänenamt, Franken
• 2006 Eschendorfer Lump Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese, Weingut Horst Sauer, Franken
• 2006 Volkacher Karthäuser Weisserburgunder trocken, Weingut Juliusspital, Franken
• 2006 Wittlicher Portnersberg Riesling Auslese, Weingut Losen-Bockstanz, Mosel
• 2006 Piesporter Goldtröpfchen Riesling Auslese, Weingut St. Urbanshof, Mosel
• 2005 Dürkheimer Feuerberg Huxelrebe, Vier Jahreszeiten Winzer Eg, Pfalz
• 2005 Dürkheimer Nonnengarten Huxelrebe, Vier Jahreszeiten Winzer Eg, Pfalz
• 2005 Hattenheimer Hassel Riesling Auslese, Hanz Lang, Rheingau
• 2007 Marks & Spencer Rüdesheimer Berg Roseneck Riesling, Weingut Josef Leitz, Rheingau
Click here to go through to the IWC website for a full list of results. The trophy winners will be announced on Monday 16th June 2008.
The Decanter World Wine Awards are judged with a focus on regional style and the influence of terroir. This year over fifty international judges were flown in for their thorough understanding of different regional styles, crucial for recognising outstanding quality. 9,219 wines were entered, over double the amount of entries five years ago when the competition was first launched. Only 64% of wines entered were awarded medals, with 12.4% gaining silver and just 2.84%, gold.
German wines put in another strong performance winning 31 commendations, 35 bronze, 16 silver and 2 gold medals.
Those wines that won gold include:
• 2005 Spätburgunder SW, Martin Wassmer, Baden
• 2006 Frickenhäuser Kappellenberg Riesling Auslese, Weingut Bürgerspital, Franken
In addition to this, Schloss Reinhartshausen’s 2005 Erbacher Schlossberg Trockenbeerenauslese won the Sweet German over £10 trophy and Weingut Meyer-Näkel’s 2005 Dernauer Pfarrwingert Spätburgunder Erstes Gewächs was awarded the Red German wine over £10 trophy.
Click here to go through to the Decanter website for a full list of results.
Finally, the Northern Hemisphere wine results for the IWSC were released in May - The competition itself was founded in 1969 with the aim of promoting the quality and excellence of the world's best wines, spirits and liqueurs. This standard is achieved through a rigorous two-stage judging process of professional blind tasting and detailed technical (chemical and microbiological) analysis.
Entries are judged in award categories divided by variety, region and vintage. Wines with the highest mark are awarded "Best in Class" and are re-tasted for national and international trophies.
German wines received five gold (four of which achieved ‘Best in Class’), 46 silver (29 of which achieved ‘Best in Class’) and finally 49 bronze medals.
The Southern Hemisphere Wine Results, Product Trophy Results and Shortlists will be released on 30 September 2008. The trophy winners will then be announced at the Annual Awards Banquet on 17 November 2008.
The German gold medal winners include:
• 2006 Randersacker Sonnenstuhl Riesling Beerenauslese, Weingut J Stöerrlein, Franken
(Best in class)
• 2006 Riesling Auslese Edelsüss, Bürgerspital Zum Heiligen Geist Weingut, Franken
• 2006 Eschendorfer Lump Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese, Weingut Horst Sauer, Franken
• 2005 Randersacker Pfülben Riesling Beerenauslese, Weingut Schmitt’s Kinder, Franken
• 2006 Tesco Finest Steillage Riesling, ZGM, Mosel
Click here to go through to the IWSC website for a full list of results.
