2013 International Sweet Wine Challenge

NOT SO SHORT BUT SWEET

The line up of wines at this year's 2013 International Sweet Wine Challenge was anything but short with entries up on last year, proving that this show is fast becoming one of the leading global wine shows dedicated to the delights of non-fortified sweet wines.

 

A panel of expert judges, including Chief of Judges Ben Edwards (President of Sommeliers Australia and contributor to Australia's best selling wine guide, the Australian Wine Companion), and International Guest Judge Madeleine Stenwreth MW (Master of Wine), judged the wines and have announced the results in plenty of time for the festive period, when many of us get to enjoy more of the sweeter side of life and cuisine.

 

Amongst the bronze, silver and gold medals awarded, five wineries from three countries experienced the ultimate sweet taste of success, taking home an International Sweet Wine Challenge Trophy.

 

2013 ISWC TROPHY WINNERS:

 

   Best Young Sweet, Floral styles ~

2012 Forrest Wines Botrytised Riesling (Marlborough, New Zealand)

 

   Best Young Sweet, Other Varieties & Blends ~

2012 Nederberg Noble Late Harvest (Paarl, South Africa)

 

   Best Mature Sweet, Floral styles ~

2010 Blue Pyrenees Cellar Door Botrytis Riesling (Pyrenees, Australia)

 

   Best Mature Sweet, Semillon predominant ~

2011 Gramps Botrytis Semillon (Riverina, Australia)

 

   Best Sweet Wine from the Museum Class ~

2002 Lillypilly Noble Blend Family Reserve (Riverina, Australia)

 

And the wine that has claimed the top title of 2013 International Sweet Wine of the Year was the … 2010 Blue Pyrenees Cellar Door Botrytis Riesling.

 

Judge Madeleine Strenwreth MW said, "I was very pleased with the high overall quality of the entries across such a wide spectrum of sweet wine styles.

 

The best examples and Trophy winners were bursting with personality, intensity and class while bright and lively acidity balanced the sweetness in a delightfully refreshing way. Once again it reminded me that these wines deserve so much more attention.

 

As the global consumer undoubtedly feels lost among this complex and diverse category, a medal on the bottle can give the guidance needed to inspire to enter the world of natural and beautiful sweetness. This international challenge is also an excellent benchmarking exercise for sweet wine producers of the world and entries should rightfully grow even further in the years to come".

The Riverina Winemakers Association created the International Sweet Wine Challenge nine years ago to showcase the quality of sweet wines around the world and allow Australian sweet wines to be judged alongside their international counterparts.