10th July 2024

International Wine Challenge 2024 names 11 Australian wines amongst best in theworld

IWC Sparkling Winemaker of the Year Ed Carr, Head Winemaker at House of Arras
The International Wine Challenge, the world's most influential, impartial and rigorously
judged global wine competition, has announced the eleven highest scoring Australianwines in its 2024 competition.
In its 40th year, the International Wine Challenge awarded medals to 38 countries
following an intensive blind tasting by a global panel of experts. Australia continued its
streak as the top New World country in terms of medals, coming second only to France.
An Australian Cabernet Sauvignon was named the best in the world and, for the firsttime in IWC history, an Australian producer was named Sparkling Winemaker of theYear.
Australian wines judged best in show at IWC 2024:
Shaw + Smith Balhannah Vineyard Shiraz
2021

Australian Red Trophy, IWC Sustainable
Trophy 2024, South Australian Red10th July 2024
Trophy, South Australian Shiraz Trophy,
Adelaide Hills Shiraz Trophy
Robert Oatley The Pennant Cabernet
Sauvignon 2018
Stefano Lubiana Wines Collina Chardonnay
2022
Sidewood Estate Owen's Chardonnay 2022
McGuigan Shortlist Riesling 2013
Mr. Riggs Wine The Chap 2018
Gemtree Wines The Obsidian Shiraz 2021
Kellermeister The Meister Shiraz 2022
Morris Wines Old Premium Rare TopaqueHouse of Arras Blanc de Blancs 2014
Dawson James Pinot Noir 2021

International Cabernet Sauvignon
Trophy, Western Australian Cabernet
Sauvignon Trophy
Australian White Trophy, Australian
Chardonnay Trophy, TasmanianChardonnay Trophy
South Australian Chardonnay Trophy
Australian Riesling Trophy
McLaren Vale Red Blend Trophy
McLaren Vale Shiraz Trophy
Barossa Shiraz Trophy
Australian Fortiﬁed Trophy
Australian Sparkling Trophy
Tasmanian Pinot Noir Trophy

In a historical first for Australia, the prestigious title of IWC Sparkling Winemaker of theYear went to Ed Carr, Head Winemaker at House of Arras. House of Arras’s sparklingwines picked up 12 medals, as well as The Australian Sparkling Trophy which went to its
Blanc de Blancs 2014, described by judges as “a great example of a sparkler tasting likea really serious wine in its own right with bubbles as an extra.”For the second year in a row, Australian Cabernet Sauvignon was named the best in theworld. Robert Oatley’s The Pennant Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 beat wines from 19
other countries to take the top spot. This adds to the eight medals and two trophies
already under this family winery’s belt.
It was Shaw + Smith’s Balhannah Vineyard Shiraz 2021 which was named the best
Australian red in the challenge. Described by judges as “refreshing and alive in themouth with blue and black fruits,” it took home five trophies including the Australian
Red Trophy and the IWC Sustainable Trophy.
Of the 145 Australian whites awarded medals in this year’s challenge, the top spot went
to Tasmanian producer, Stefano Lubiana Wines, for its “beautifully balanced andpoised” Collina Chardonnay 2022, which also won the Tasmanian Chardonnay Trophy
and Australian Chardonnay Trophy.
Morris Wines in Rutherglen achieved more Golds than any other Australian producer,
claiming five of these top awards for its fortified wines. The Australian Fortified Trophy10th July 2024
went to its Old Premium Rare Topaque, which judges described as “rich, complex,luscious, and layered with cocoa, chocolate covered raisins and figs.”
This year’s IWC Lifetime Achievement Award went to Australian wine critic, JamesHalliday AM. Halliday noted, “I am deeply moved by the decision of the International
Wine Challenge to bestow its 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award on me. I’m also
humbled to join a list of international figures who, over many decades, have played
innovative and significant roles extending into the four corners of the wine world.”
The full list of Trophy and Champion winners at the 2024 International Wine Challengeannounced on 9th July can be viewed here.
ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS:
In its 40th year, the International Wine Challenge is widely acknowledged as the world’s
most rigorous, impartial, influential and global wine competition. The IWC assesses
every wine ‘blind’ and judges each for its faithfulness to style, region and vintage. Awards
include medals (Gold, Silver, Bronze) and Commended awards. Trophies are awarded to
the very best wines in each category. The International Wine Challenge is committed tohelping consumers discover great wine, and the medals offer a trusted guarantee ofquality.
For more information, please contact the IWC team at Phipps
iwc@thisisphipps.com: +44(0)2080506073