The world’s most prestigious and influential independent wine competition, the International Wine Challenge (IWC), has announced the eagerly awaited results of the 2011 Trophy and Great Value Wine Awards at the Lord’s Nursery Pavilion. With 15 Great Value Wine Awards, along with 107 wines and 7 for Sake awarded Trophies, it has been a great year for wine lovers.

Highlights for Australia include:

* The International Chardonnay Trophy went to Penfolds Reserve Bin 09A Chardonnay 2009, which in total received four Trophies (Australian Chardonnay Trophy, Australian White Trophy, Adelaide Hills White Trophy)
* The International Dry Riesling Trophy was awarded to McGuigan Shortlist Riesling 2004 (Australian Riesling Trophy, Eden Valley Trophy)
* Tempus Two Zenith Semillon 2003 scooped International Dry Semillon Trophy and Hunter Valley Trophy
* The International Fortified Muscat Trophy went to Stanton & Killeen Classic Rutherglen Muscat NV
* Great Value Sweet Wine Under £10: Tesco Finest Dessert Semillon 2007, De Bortoli Wines
* Great Value Fortified Under £15: Show Liqueur Muscat NV, De Bortoli Wines
* Australia scooped 10 Trophies gaining fourth place on the nation’s leader board

France dominated the Trophies honours list, coming first for the third consecutive year with an impressive 34 wines being awarded a Trophy, a 62% increase year on year. Spain followed with 13 – almost double compared to 2010, with Italy (11) third, closely followed by Australia (10)

The Trophy stage is the final round for these award-winning wines. Having achieved a Gold medal already through the Challenge’s rigorous judging process, the wines are tasted once more by an elite panel of judges, against other wines in the same category, to determine if they are worthy of a Trophy in addition to their Gold medal. The formidable judging panel is made up of the IWC Co-Chairmen – Tim Atkin MW, Sam Harrop MW, Charles Metcalfe and Derek Smedley MW and global wine expert and TV personality Oz Clarke.

Chris Ashton, IWC Event Director says: “The IWC has continued its support for the global wine market by awarding these influential and respected Trophies. To achieve a Trophy or Great Value Award, as well as a Gold Medal, gives a wine great international prestige. It is a true accolade to the producer’s commitment and expertise, to the wine region or country.

“A Trophy award is a true sign of exceptional excellence. With Gold medals already under their belts, these wines really represent the best of a country or a particular wine region, or of a specific grape variety. A wine bearing the IWC Trophy logo helps consumers to quickly and easily identify exceptional high quality wines at a price point to suit every budget. In turn this quick recognition from the logo delivers increased sales for the producers.”

Highlights of this year’s Trophy results:

* Former rugby star, Gérard Bertrand celebrated for the second year in a row being awarded the La Clape Trophy, but this time for his Art de Vivre La Clape 2009 France
* Four Trophies were awarded to Champagnes compared to only two last year, including a supermarket own label: Marks & Spencer Herbert Beaufort NV France (Non Vintage Champagne Trophy); Charles Heidsieck Champagne Charlie 1981 France (Mature Vintage Champagne Trophy); Charles Heidsieck Millésime Brut 2000 France (Vintage Champagne Trophy) and Pierre Paillard Grand Cru Brut Rosé NV France, (Rosé Champagne Trophy)
* Several wines did exceptionally well, winning four Trophies each:
– Penfolds Reserve Bin 09A Chardonnay 2009 Australia: International Chardonnay Trophy, Australian Chardonnay Trophy, Australian White Trophy, Adelaide Hills White Trophy
– Domaine de la Pousse d’Or Chambolle-Musigny 2009 France: International Pinot Noir Trophy, Red Burgundy Trophy, Chambolle-Musigny Trophy, French Red Trophy
– Stanley Estates Sauvignon Blanc 2010 New Zealand: International Sauvignon Blanc Trophy, New Zealand White Trophy, New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Trophy, Marlborough Trophy
* IWC 2010 Sweet winemaker of the year, Hans Tschida won three Trophies for sweet wine, living up to his reputation: Schilfwein Trophy for Muskat Ottonel Schilfwein 2006 and Austrian Botrytis Trophy, Austrian Scheurebe Trophy for the Sämling Trockenbeerenauslese 2004
* As Fortified Winemaker of the Year 2010, Spain’s Emilio Lustau scooped five Trophies including Fino Trophy (Fino La Ina NV), Manzanilla Trophy (Manzanilla Papirusa NV), Palo Cortado Trophy & Sherry Trophy (Palo Cortado VORS NV) and Pedro Ximénez Trophy (Pedro Ximénez VORS NZ)
* Legendary winemaker Miguel Torres lived up to his IWC 2010 Lifetime Achievement award by being awarded two Trophies, Penedès Trophy for Reserva Real 2007 and Priorat Trophy for Perpetual 2008 Spain

Co-Chairman Charles Metcalfe says: “The IWC is the world’s most carefully judged wine competition with judges rewarding faithfulness to region, country, variety and vintage. Now in its 28th year, the IWC saw the highest number of countries entering the competition, with 48 nations taking up the Challenge. The high calibre of wines reaching the Trophy stage in this year’s Challenge has truly impressed the judges. With so many deserving Great Value accolades as well, the IWC recognises true excellence, helping consumers identify and enjoy some of the world’s best wines.”

For more information on the IWC and to see a complete list of all the winning wines please visit www.internationalwinechallenge.com