The International Wine Challenge (IWC), recognized as the world's most influential, impartial, and rigorously judged global wine competition, has unveiled the results of its 2024 competition, commemorating its 40th anniversary.
This year’s event was marked by an impressive display of global talent, with medals awarded to winemakers from 38 countries following a meticulous blind tasting by an esteemed panel of international experts.
France: Leading the Charge
France solidified its dominance in the winemaking world, earning the highest number of medals across all categories with 72 Gold, 394 Silver, and 455 Bronze, an increase of 84 medals from the previous year. The country's remarkable performance was highlighted by several notable achievements:
- Edouard Delaunay continued his exceptional streak, winning the International Pinot Noir Trophy for the ninth consecutive year with his Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru, 2021. This accomplishment makes him the most highly awarded winemaker in IWC history, with seven additional trophies to his name.
- Château de Tracy from the Loire Valley clinched the International Sauvignon Blanc Trophy for the first time since 2017 with its Les 101 Rangs 2019.
- The introduction of new regional trophies saw Château Paquette Angélico, 2023 win the inaugural Provence Rosé Trophy.
- La Chablisienne dominated the Chablis categories, securing the Chablis Grand Cru Trophy, Chablis Premier Cru Trophy, and Chablis Trophy, along with five Gold medals and an additional 13 Silver and Bronze medals.
European Success: Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Austria
European countries made a significant impact, securing four of the top five highest medal rankings:
- Spain maintained its 3rd place position, earning 34 Gold, 207 Silver, and 215 Bronze medals. Notably, Jerez contributed 22 Gold medals, while Rioja emerged as the most awarded region with 138 medals. Spain also saw an increase in sparkling wine accolades, with 46 medals compared to 39 last year.
- Portugal achieved 4th place, garnering 33 Gold, 175 Silver, and 195 Bronze medals, along with 11 trophies for fortified wine and one for still wine.
- Italy ranked 5th, winning 337 medals overall, including honors for orange wines for the first time in IWC history.
- Austria improved its medal count with 101 total awards, including 10 more Gold medals than the previous year.
Highlights from Europe:
- Bodegas Valdemar's Balcón de Pilatos Maturana, 2020 won the Spanish Red Trophy, marking a consecutive win for Rioja.
- Bodegas Pazo de Villarei, Albariño, 2023 secured the Spanish White Trophy for a Galician winery for the sixth consecutive year.
- Quinta da Terrincha, Tinto, 2021 from the Douro vineyards won the Portuguese Red Trophy.
- Borgo Savaian di Stefano Bastiani received the Italian White Trophy for its Aransat, 2022 orange wine and the new Italian Skin Contact Trophy.
- CAVIT took home the Italian Red Trophy with its Bottega Vinai Lagrein Trentino, 2021.
- Petra Unger’s Ried Gaisberg 1ÖTW Kremstal Reserve Riesling, 2022 won the International Riesling Trophy for Austria.
New World Triumphs: Australia, New Zealand, Argentina
New World wines also showcased their prowess:
- Australia ranked 2nd overall with 54 Gold, 250 Silver, and 154 Bronze medals, and won 19 trophies, including 10 from South Australia.
- New Zealand secured two International Varietal Trophies for Syrah and Chardonnay.
- Argentina continued its unbroken record of winning the International Malbec Trophy, a feat unmatched in IWC history.
Highlights from the New World:
- Shaw + Smith’s Balhannah Vineyard Shiraz, 2021 won the Australian Red Trophy.
- Robert Oatley reclaimed the International Cabernet Sauvignon Trophy with The Pennant Cabernet Sauvignon, 2018.
- Kennedy Point Vineyard’s 2021 Syrah won the International Syrah Trophy, reinforcing New Zealand’s expertise with this grape variety.
- Church Road won the New Zealand Red Trophy and the International Chardonnay Trophy with its Church Road 1 Merlot and Grand Reserve Chardonnay, 2021 respectively.
- Bodega Dante Robino’s Gran Dante Malbec, 2021 clinched the International Malbec Trophy for Argentina.
Emerging Regions on the Rise
Emerging wine regions such as England, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Romania, Ukraine, and India showed significant improvement, earning more medals than ever before:
- England moved up to 9th place with 13 Gold, 54 Silver, and 58 Bronze medals.
- Canada won 14 more medals than last year, with the Niagara Peninsula leading the way.
- Georgia saw a boost in medals, particularly from the Kakheti region.
- Japan achieved its highest number of Gold medals, with standout performances from Takahata Winery.
- Romania increased its medal count with 18 total awards.
- Moldova achieved 70 awards
- Croatia obtained 74 medals
- Ukraine jumped from 1 medal last year to 8 this year.
- India gained 3 more medals, achieving 5 Bronze medals in total.
Highlights from Emerging Regions:
- Wiston Estate’s Library Collection Blanc de Blancs, 2010 won the English Sparkling Trophy, while Gusbourne secured the English Red Trophy for its Pinot Noir, 2022.
- Lakeview Wine’s Vidal Icewine, 2021 from the Niagara Peninsula won the Canadian Ice Wine Trophy.
- Vazisubani Estate’s Kisi Qvevri, 2021 won the Georgian White Trophy.
- Takahata Winery’s La Clôture Electrique en Kamiwada Chardonnay, 2022 won the Japanese White Trophy.
The 2024 International Wine Challenge showcased the diversity and quality of wines from established and emerging regions alike, highlighting the global appreciation and recognition of exceptional winemaking. For a comprehensive list of medal and trophy winners, visit the official IWC website.