Australian producers have been well represented at the 2022 International Wine Challenge (IWC), which reviewed thousands of wines from more than 50 countries.
Australia was awarded 54 Gold Medals, which was the second highest medal count for any country and placed our local producers behind only France.
Local producers also shone as trophy winners, especially Pinnacle Drinks, which became the first Australian brand to win the International Grenache Trophy for The Ethereal One Fleurieu Grenache 2020.
IWC Co-chair, Jamie Goode, said: “Globally, Grenache is one of the most widely planted red grape varieties but it has not always been popular in Australia.
“In recent years, it has experienced a resurgence thanks to winemakers switching their focus towards lighter styles which are becoming increasingly sought after worldwide. It is great to see Australia take the trophy for the first time this year.”
Winemaker Mark ‘Jamo’ Jamieson makes this Grenache exclusively for Endeavour Group’s Dan Murphy’s and BWS stores, and said it was an honour to be acknowledged.
“Grenache is a wine that was for a long time overlooked and underestimated, but it is definitely having a moment with more and more Australians falling in love with this flavoursome wine. If you haven’t tried it yet, now is definitely the time,” he said.
Endeavour Group Head of Fine Wine, Andrew Shedden, added: “Even though Grenache is one of the world’s most planted grape varieties, and Australia has some of the oldest Grenache vines, we are seeing a modern renaissance of how Australian Grenache is being made, in particular in McLaren Vale. The quality of Australian Grenache at the moment is outstanding, so it’s no surprise that this wine variety keeps winning at wine shows in Australia and across the world.”
Other Australian producers which shone in the IWC trophies includes House of Arras, which was again awarded the Australian Sparkling Trophy for its EJ Carr Late Disgorged 2006. This is the tenth year in a row that Tasmanian producers have won this trophy. Tasmania also saw great success with other trophies, with Tolpuddle Vineyard Chardonnay 2020 claiming the Australian and Tasmanian Chardonnay Trophies.
Across the wider IWC, the expert judges were pleased to see success from an ever-increasing diversity of wine styles, which showcases the global industry’s appetite for innovation and creativity.
The full list of medal and trophy winners in the 2022 International Wine Challenge can be viewed here.