By Amy Looker
Australian wineries performed strongly at the 2010 International Wine Challenge (IWC) in London, coming in third on the country tally board with 12 trophies.
Regarded as one of the most prestigious wine competitions in the world, the IWC attracted record entries from 46 countries this year, which are then put through a rigorous judging process to award the best wines in each category.
France topped the country tally board for the second year running with 21 trophies, followed by Japan’s sake category in second place with 14 trophies.
Among the Australian wines bringing home a trophy are the 2008 Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard Harry’s Monster for best Australian red blend, the De Bortoli Old Boys Tawny Port for best Australian Fortified, the 2008 Longview Red Bucket Shiraz Cabernet for best Adelaide Hills wine, and the 2007 Heartland Wines Director’s Cut Shiraz, which won the International Shiraz trophy along with the trophy for best Australian red, best Australian Shiraz and best South Australian Shiraz.
McGuigan Wines also continued its recent success on the show circuit at the IWC, with the 2004 Shortlist Eden Valley Riesling being awarded trophies for best South Australian white wine and best Eden Valley white wine.
Also on the international stage, Kingston Estate won a coveted double gold medal at the 2010 San Francisco International Wine Competition for its 2007 Kingston Echelon Shiraz, while, closer to home, Grant Burge Wines scooped the pool at the Queensland Wine Show in Brisbane, taking home 15 medals from 17 entries.