The 10th annual Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships (CSWWC) has revealed the world’s best Champagnes and Australia’s best sparkling wines for 2023.

Piper-Heidsieck’s Rare Champagne 2008 Millésime Magnum took out the Supreme World Champion trophy, while House of Arras NV A by Arras Premium Cuvee Brut was crowned Best Australian Sparkling Wine.

This year saw just shy of 1000 sparkling wines from 19 different countries judged over 11 days.

Italy once again took the top of the leader board for the most medals triumphing with 74 Gold and 117 Silver medals – more than half the Silver Medal total going to Italy. Next was France who took home 43 Gold medal’s and 48 Silver medals.

England narrowly took third place on the medal leader board with 11 Gold and 15 Silver medals closely followed by Australia and Spain who each achieved 11 Gold & 11 Silver Medals for their respective countries.

“Over 10 years, this competition has established beyond doubt who the very best sparkling winemakers around the world by their wines consistently winning top honours, yet every year brings success for new regions and new producers in established regions. I can honestly say that we live in a golden era for sparkling wine,” Tom Stevenson, Founder and Chairman of the CSWWC, said.

A toast to House of Arras 

From the 11 gold medals awarded to Australian wines, eight of them went to House of Arras. 

House of Arras Chief Winemaker Ed Carr, who was at the awards event in London, said: “I’m incredibly honoured to accept this award for our A by Arras Premium Cuvée Brut. This wine is a terrific introduction to the House of Arras collection. It’s opulent, sophisticated and structural, while showcasing the hallmark characteristics of cool climate sparkling wine. I’m thrilled it is recognised on the global stage as one of Australia’s best sparkling wines.” 

“This also marks the beginning of an exciting new era for House of Arras, not only off the back of these awards but as we join the Handpicked Wines family. There’s great optimism and energy at the winery, and I look forward to celebrating with the entire team when I get back to Tasmania.” 

House of Arras is no stranger to being celebrated at this iconic Champagne and sparkling award show. In 2022, the House of Arras 2001 Museum Release Blanc de Blancs won the World Champion Library Vintage Trophy – the first time a wine outside the Champagne region won this award. And in 2018, Ed Carr was recognised with a Lifetime Achievement Award and was the only non-Champagne winemaker to be so honoured. 

House of Arras A by Arras Premium Cuvée Brut NV is available exclusively from Dan Murphy’s and the House of Arras website for RRP $35.

The world’s best Champagnes

Supreme World Champion: Rare Champagne 2008 Millésime Magnum

The Chairmans Trophy: Champagne Palmer & Co. NV Rosé Solera Magnum

World Champion Classic NV Brut 2023: Guido Berlucchi NV Berlucchi ’61 Franciacorta Extra Brut (75cl)

World Champion Classic Vintage Brut 2023: La Montina 2018 Brut (75cl)

World Champion Classic Blanc de Blancs Brut 2023: Carassia 2017 Blanc de Blancs Magnum Magnum

World Champion Classic Blanc de Noirs Brut 2023: Champagne Palmer & Co. NV Blanc de Noirs Magnum

World Champion Classic Rosé Brut 2023: Gusbourne 2018 Rosé Magnum Magnum

World Champion Sparkling Red Wine: Vezzelli Francesco 2022 Il Selezione (75cl)

World Champion Classic Brut Style from Non-Traditional Grapes: Dubl NV Brut Edition I (75cl)

World Champion Library Vintage 2023: Champagne Moët & Chandon 1999 Grand Vintage (75cl)

World Champion Organic Sparkling Wine 2023: Maset Wines 2020 Nu Reserva Organic (75cl)

World Champion Biodynamic Sparkling Wine 2023: Gramona 2017 Imperial Magnum

World Champion Aromatic Sparkling Wine 2023: Cuvage NV Acquesi Asti (75cl)

Australia’s top 6 sparkling wines

Best in Class Australian Blanc de Blancs Brut Vintage: Swift 2011 Blanc de Blancs (75cl)

Best in Class Australian Brut NV: House of Arras NV A by Arras Premium Cuvée Brut (75cl)

Best in Class Australian Brut Vintage: Chandon Australia 2016 Brut (75cl)

Best in Class Australian Rosé Brut NV: House of Arras NV Brut Elite Cuvée 1801 Rosé (75cl)

Best in Class Australian Brut Nature: House of Arras NV Brut Elite Cuvée 1801 Rosé (75cl)

Best in Class Australian Rosé Brut Vintage: Taltarni 2015 Taché Rosé (75cl)

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