International Wine Challenge 2007 Champions  Add/Read Comments

Earlier this year, the 9,358 samples entered for the world's largest blind wine tasting were painstakingly whittled down to just nine champions. From amongst the crowd, 260 wines picked up gold medals and 84 wines won regional trophies (of which 19 were awarded international trophies). From these the co-chairmen selected the best of the very best.

Four of the champion awards were bestowed for the first time: the champion sake and the three trophies which make up the IWC Planet Earth awards (champion sustainable, champion organic and champion biodynamic). The IWC Planet Earth awards have been introduced to reflect an important trend in consumer demand, as well as rewarding those who not only excel but also put the planet at the heart of their wine making activity.

The 2007 International Wine Challenge champions are:

• Champion Red and Champion Sustainable: Bald Hills Pinot Noir 2005, Bald Hills Vineyard, New Zealand.
• Champion White: Beaune Clos des Mouches Premier Cru 2005, Chanson Père et Fils, France.
• Champion Sparkling (Daniel Thibault Trophy): Charles Heidsieck, Champagne Charlie 1981, Champagnes P & C Heidsieck, France.
• Champion Sweet: Vin Santo di Capezzana 2000, Capezzana, Italy.
• Champion Fortified: Lustau Almacenista Fino del Puerto Cuesta, Emilio Lustau, Spain.
• Champion Sake: Tsurunosato 2005, Kikuhime & Co Ltd, Japan.
• Champion Organic: Hans Tschida, Sämling Trockenbeerenauslese 2005, Austria.
• Champion Biodynamic: Champagne Fleury Millésime 1996, France.

Other major awards presented on the night included the Len Evans trophy for consistency in winemaking which went to Francisco Albuquerque, the James Rogers trophy for best wine in its first year of production (Barolo Essenze 2001, Terre da Vino), Personality of the Year (Alvaro Espinoza) and Lifetime Achievement (Jean-Marie Chadronnier).

Supermarket of the Year was awarded to Tesco whilst Majestic Wine seized both the High Street Chain trophy and the top accolade, Merchant of the Year.

Bestowed for the first time in its 24 year history are three trophies which make up the IWC Planet Earth awards: Champion Sustainable, Champion Organic and Champion Biodynamic. These new awards have been introduced by the IWC to reflect an important trend in consumer demand and to reward those who not only excel, but who also put the planet at the heart of their wine making activity.

• Champion Sustainable: Bald Hills Pinot Noir 2005, Bald Hills Vineyard, New Zealand.
  New Zealand is recognised to be leading the way with sustainable wine growing and protecting the environmental integrity of its wine production, Bald Hills Pinot Noir's ripe redcurrant nose, summer fruit palate and impeccable balance set the wine apart from the competition. This exceptional wine also picked up the top accolade of Champion Red.
• Champion Organic: Hans Tschida, Sämling Trockenbeerenauslese 2005, Austria.
  This champion wine also won the Austrian Botrytis trophy and the Botrytis trophy for its golden yellow tones with grapefruit and orange marmalade nose, abundant sweetness on the palate, lovely freshness and long mouth-watering length.
• Champion Biodynamic: Champagne Fleury Millésime 1996, France.
  Self-sustaining systems, lunar and cosmic rhythms are just some of the terms associated with biodynamic wine production. Not only organic but biodynamic too, the Champagne Fleury Millésime, a truly worthy recipient, also won the Young Vintage Champagne trophy before being declared the Champion Biodynamic wine. Rounded, baked bread hues, with good supportive and elegant fruit, there is a creamy element to the texture of this wine along with a very nicely structured finish.