The international wine challenge, in its 38th year, has announced the best 10 wines of 2021 from its latest competition. The 10 best wines came from eight countries and being declared the best in their respective categories. The judging was headed by a panel of leading global experts from across the industry after multiple stages of intensive blind-tastings. Five of these wines have been awarded as the ‘Champion’, which is given to wines that are considered the absolute ‘best in show’, beating all other National Trophy winners in the categories of red, white, sparkling, sweet, and fortified.
The winners are as follows
| France | Clos de la Roche Grand Cru Cuvée Cyrot Chaudron Hospices de Beaune 2019, Maison Albert Bichot |
IWC Champion Red Wine 2021, International Pinot Noir Trophy, French Red Trophy, Red Burgundy Trophy |
| France | Vintage 2008, Piper-Heidsieck | IWC Champion Sparkling Wine 2021, Champagne Trophy, Vintage Classic Blend Champagne Trophy |
| Greece | Sigalas Santorini Barrel 2020, Domaine Sigalas | IWC Champion White Wine 2021, Greek White Trophy |
| Italy | Vinsanto di Carmignano Capezzana Riserva 2013, Tenuta Di Capezzana |
IWC Champion Sweet Wine 2021, Italian Sweet Trophy |
| Spain | Lustau Palo Cortado V.O.R.S 30 Years, Emilio Lustau | IWC Champion Fortified Wine 2021, Sherry Trophy, Palo Cortado Trophy |
| Australia | Wolf Blass Grey Label McLaren Vale Shiraz 2019, Wolf Blass Wines |
International Shiraz Trophy, McLaren Vale Shiraz Trophy |
| Austria | Sauvignon Blanc Kitzeck-Sausal Südsteiermark 2019, Weingut Schneeberger |
International Sauvignon Blanc Trophy, Austrian Sauvignon Blanc Trophy |
| France | Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru Domaine du Pavillon 2019, Maison Albert Bichot |
IWC Organic Trophy 2021, International Chardonnay Trophy, French White Trophy, White Burgundy Trophy |
| Germany | Erbacher Siegelsberg Riesling Grosses Gewächs 2015, Weingut Schloss Reinhartshausen |
International Riesling Trophy, German White Trophy |
| New Zealand | Valli Pinot Noir Gibbston Vineyard 2019, Valli Vineyards |
IWC Sustainable Trophy 2021, New Zealand Red Trophy, Central Otago Pinot Noir Trophy |
For the international wine challenge, a Greek producer, Domaine Sigalas, was awarded the 2021 Champion White Wine for Sigalas Santorini Barrel 2020, which is made from the indigenous grape variety Assyrtiko. A Shiraz from McLaren Vale has beaten examples from across Australia and Syrah from around the world to be awarded International Shiraz Trophy, securing its place in the 10 best wines of the International Wine Challenge 2021.
This year’s result represents the first time in almost a decade that Australia has won this trophy. Also, winemakers Chris Hatcher & Steven Frost won IWC Red Winemaker of the Year for the fourth time. Neighboring New Zealand secured its place in the 10 best wines of the International Wine Challenge 2021 with the Valli Pinot Noir Gibbston Vineyard 2019 from Central Otago claiming the IWC Sustainable Trophy. New Zealand saw success in the wider competition with a Chardonnay from Hawke’s Bay, which beat white wines from across the country to be awarded the New Zealand White Trophy.
Co-Chair Tim Atkin MW commented: ‘With wines from over 50 countries entered into the IWC and each wine judged purely on its merit, it’s impossible to predict which wines will come out on top in any given year, which is what makes the competition so exciting. It’s great to see lesser-known wines such as the Austrian Sauvignon Blanc and an Assyrtiko from Greece standing alongside more familiar names in this year’s top 10 scoring wines.
