Wine Challenge Planet Earth Awards 2007

International Wine Challenge Planet Earth Awards 2007

Responsible winemaking rewarded for first time

by world’s largest blind wine tasting

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.

The Sustainable Trophy

Champion Sustainable: Bald Hills Pinot Noir 2005, Bald Hills Vineyard, New Zealand.

As New Zealand is recognised to be leading the way with sustainable wine growing and protecting the environmental integrity of its wine production, it came as no surprise to the IWC Co-Chairmen that the Bald Hills Pinot Noir 2005 from Central Otago was to be the recipient of the Champion Sustainable trophy. 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.

UK stockist: Ellis of Richmond, 020 8744 5550. £202 per case.

The Organic Trophy

Champion Organic: Hans Tschida, Sämling Trockenbeerenauslese 2005, Austria.

Organic wine sales have increased beyond all recognition in the last five years so the IWC believes it is high time producers who are making an effort for the environment are rewarded. 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.

“We were particularly impressed by the improved standard of organic wines this year. Organic grape-growing can produce wines just as good if not better than conventional grape-growing, especially when the winemaker is focused on making wine styles that the market looks for.” Sam Harrop, IWC Co-Chairman.

The Biodynamic Trophy

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. Critics of the method are falling by the wayside, as vintage after vintage teaches winemakers more about the benefits of this type of 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.

UK stockist: Vintage Roots, 0118 976 1999. £29.99 per bottle.

Demonstrating his great respect for responsible viticulture and winemaking, IWC Co-Chairman Charles Metcalfe noted: “It can be much harder work to make wines this way, and we thought producers who do, and make very good wines, deserve special recognition.”

All results of the 2007 competition are published on the IWC website: www.internationalwinechallenge.com

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Editors’ Notes

1. The International Wine Challenge was founded in 1984 by Charles Metcalfe and Robert Joseph.

2. Results available online at www.internationalwinechallenge.com

3. What sets the International Wine Challenge apart from other competitions is the number of times wines are tasted to earn their awards. Medal-winning wines must have been tasted at least three times, once in the first week of tasting, again in the second week to confirm the level of medal to be awarded and then again by at least one of the five Co-Chairmen. At every stage, if a Co-Chairman wishes to change a wine's score, he has to seek agreement from one of his colleagues, meaning that a wine may be tasted four times before its award is established. By the time a wine receives a Trophy, it will have been tasted four, five or six times.

4. The Co-Chairmen of the International Wine Challenge are Tim Atkin MW, Sam Harrop MW, Charles Metcalfe and Derek Smedley MW. The International Co-Chairman for 2007 was Michael Fridjhon.

5. All four IWC standing Chairmen are available for interviews. House photography of the judging can be provided upon request. Video footage of the judging procedure is also available.

ENDS

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