Wolf Blass was named the world’s best ‘Red Winemaker of the Year’ for the fourth time by the prestigious International Wine Challenge (IWC) in London last night.
The IWC is recognised as one of the world’s finest, most meticulously judged and influential wine competitions. The achievement follows Wolf Blass being recognised in this category with wins in 2008, 2013 and 2016.
In addition, the 2019 Wolf Blass Grey Label McLaren Vale Shiraz was awarded the International Shiraz Trophy – after a five-year reign held by Syrah from New Zealand and the first time in almost a decade that Australia has won back this trophy.
Wolf Blass Chief Winemaker, Chris Hatcher, said: “Being named Red Winemaker of the Year for the fourth time is very humbling. We are very proud with the continued recognition we have received at one of the world’s most respected and prestigious wine competitions and it is a great triumph for Wolf Blass, reinforcing our reputation as one of Australia’s and the world’s leading winemakers with a strong history of major global award wins.
“The Wolf Blass philosophy of synergistic blending, always maintaining quality, character and consistency was embedded by our Founder, Wolfgang Blass, from the very beginning and is very much a philosophy the winemaking team upholds today. This accolade cements this; given wines across our entire range contributed to this outstanding win.”
The rigorous IWC judging process assesses every wine ‘blind’ and judges each for its faithfulness to style, region and vintage. Each IWC medal-winning wine will be tasted on at least three separate occasions by a minimum of two panels of judges tasting together, and then tasted by two Co-Chairs to verify the panel results. The IWC judging teams include experts and influencers from the international wine industry, commercial decision makers, buyers and MWs working in unison to find the highest quality wines each year from the 52 wine-producing countries represented in the competition.
“We treasure awards won at respected international wine competitions as they are a true, independent assessment of our wines from some of the most experienced and respected wine judges in the world,” concluded Hatcher.
The Aussie trophy winners
The IWC noted: “After a five-year reign held by Syrah from New Zealand, Australia has won the crown of International Shiraz Trophy this year, for Wolf Blass Grey Label McLaren Vale Shiraz 2019 from Wolf Blass Wines. This year’s result represents the first time in almost a decade that Australia has won this trophy. Australia’s top performing red this year came from Kilikanoon Wines which received the Australian Red Trophy for its GSM, Baudinet 2019.
“Whilst only representing 1% of Australia’s vineyard area, Tasmania is becoming internationally renowned as a producer of premium wines and in this year’s competition a Tasmanian sparkling wine, Arras E.J Carr Late Disgorged Vintage 2005 from House of Arras has been awarded the Australian Sparkling Trophy. This latest win reinforces Tasmania’s reputation as one of Australia’s leading producers of sparkling wine, with every Australian Sparkling Trophy awarded by the International Wine Challenge in the last 10 years having been won by a Tasmanian producer.
“While Syrah and Shiraz share the same DNA, there is a distinction in the styles produced from this noble varietal. It’s great to see Australia, who arguably put Shiraz on the world stage, taking the trophy this year,” explained Sam Caporn MW, Co-Chair.
Arras E.J Carr Late Disgorged Vintage 2005 – Australian Sparkling Trophy
Penfolds Reserve Bin A Chardonnay 2019 – Australian White Trophy
Baudinet 2019 Kilikanoon Wines – Australian Red Trophy
Penfolds Reserve Bin A Chardonnay 2019 – Australian Chardonnay Trophy
Gatt High Eden Riesling 2016 – Australian Riesling Trophy
Penfolds Yattarna Chardonnay 2019 – Cross-Regional Blend Chardonnay Trophy
Penfolds Reserve Bin A Chardonnay 2019- Adelaide Hills Chardonnay Trophy
Gatt High Eden Riesling 2016 -Eden Valley Riesling Trophy
Baudinet 2019 Kilikanoon Wines – South Australian Red Trophy
Baudinet 2019 Kilikanoon Wines – Clare Valley Red Trophy
Wolf Blass Grey Label McLaren Vale Shiraz 2019 – McLaren Vale Shiraz Trophy
Dawson James Chardonnay 2018 – Tasmanian Chardonnay Trophy
Dawson James Pinot Noir 2018 – Tasmanian Pinot Noir Trophy
Cellar Reserve Grand Liqueur Muscat NV Morris Wines – Rutherglen Muscat Trophy
Regional Riesling 2020 Capel Vale Wines – Mount Barker Riesling Trophy
Houghton CW Ferguson Cabernet Malbec 2019 – Western Australian Red Trophy
De Bortoli also took out the IWC Great Value Champion Sweet 2021 trophy for its Morrisons The Best Botrytis Semillon 2017.
Australia’s Top 5 most valuable wine brands
Australian wine dominated this year’s Brand Finance Alcoholic Drinks 2021 Report, taking out five of the top 15 spots on the global list. Three Treasury Wine Estates labels featured on the list: Lindeman’s at No.8, Beringer at No.9 and Wolf Blass at No.15.
Wolf Blass was established in the Barossa Valley in 1966 and has grown from a humble tin shed to become one of the world’s most successful and awarded wineries, with more than 10,000 medals and trophies to its name.
The top 15 most valuable wine & champagne brands
- Moët & Chandon – France ($1,225million)
- Changyu – China ($1,174million)
- Henkell – Germany ($889million)
- Veuve Clicquot – France ($855million)
- Chandon – United States ($827million)
- Dom Pérignon – France ($820million)
- Barefoot – United States ($509million)
- Lindeman’s – Australia ($367million)
- Beringer – Australia ($300million)
- Martini – Italy ($295million)
- Concha y Toro – Chile
- Yellow Tail – Australia
- Jacob’s Creek – Australia
- Carlo Rossi – Italy
- Wolf Blass – Australia
Wolf Blass launches its 2021 Luxury Collection
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