10th July 2024

International Wine Challenge 2024 names nine Spanish wines amongst best in theworld

IWC Fortified Winemaker of the Year, Sergio Martínez, Emilio Lustau

The International Wine Challenge, the world's most influential, impartial and rigorously
judged global wine competition, has announced the nine highest scoring Spanish wines
in its 2024 competition, with three sherries, one Cava and still wines from Galicia, Rioja
and Catalonia all making the list.
In its 40th year, the International Wine Challenge awarded medals to 38 countries
following an intensive blind tasting by a global panel of experts. Spain remained in third
place in the medal rankings, with an exceptionally strong performance from Jerez which
won 22 out of the 34 Gold medals awarded to Spain and claimed a prestigious
Champion Award.
Spanish wines judged best in show at the International Wine Challenge 2024:
Bodegas Espinosa de los Monteros Palo
Cortado VORS

Palo Cortado Trophy, Sherry Trophy, IWC
Champion Fortified Wine 2024 - ManuelLozano Trophy10th July 2024
Bodega Delgado Zuleta Quo Vadis?
Emilio Lustau Pedro Ximénez VORS
Bodegas Villa Conchi Brut Gran Reserva
2018
Bodegas Pazo de Villarei 2023
Bodegas Valdemar Balcón de Pilatos
Maturana 2020

Amontillado Trophy
Pedro Ximénez Trophy
Spanish Sparkling Trophy

Scala Dei Cartoixa 2020
Bodega y Viñedos Pazo de Casanova
Finca Viñoa Embotellado Tardío 2021

Priorat Trophy
Ribeiro White Trophy

Mas d’en Blei Setze Brots 2017

IWC Trophy for Best Wine in First Year ofProduction 2024

Rías Baixas Trophy, Spanish White Trophy
Rioja Trophy, Spanish Red Trophy

For the fourth year in a row, Jerez has taken the title of IWC Champion Fortified Wine.
This year, Bodegas Espinosa De Los Monteros impressed judges with its Palo Cortado
VORS, which they described as “a dry sherry for connoisseurs.” There were further winsfor Jerez, with Bodega Delgado Zuleta taking home the Amontillado Trophy and Emilio
Lustau winning the Pedro Ximénez Trophy. Emilio Lustau’s winemaker Sergio Martínez
was also recognised with the prestigious title of IWC Fortified Winemaker of the Year,marking the second year in a row this accolade has gone to a winemaker in Jerez.
This year saw an increase in medal wins for Spain’s sparkling wines, with the country
gaining 46 this year, compared to last year’s 39. It was Bodegas Villa Conchi’s “freshyet complex” Brut Gran Reserva 2018 that proved to be the best of them all, winning theSpanish Sparkling Trophy.
Of the 116 Spanish whites awarded medals in this year’s challenge, the top spot went
to Galician producer, Bodegas Pazo de Villarei, for its “beautiful expression ofAlbarino”, Villarei 2023, which also won the Rías Baixas Trophy.
Rioja was Spain’s most highly awarded region, with a total of 138 medals awarded to its
red, white and rosé wines. Bodegas Valdemar came out on top winning not only theRioja Trophy but also the Spanish Red Trophy for its Balcón de Pilatos Maturana 2020,
which judges described as “impressive with sleek oak and long flavours.”
Priorat featured twice in the Top 9, with Cellers Scala Dei winning the Priorat Trophy for
its “beautifully balanced” Scala Dei Cartoixa 2020 and Mas d’en Blei’s Setze Brots
2017 taking the IWC Trophy for Best Wine in First Year of Production. Judges praised its“fine chalky tannins” and “vibrant acidity” describing it as “structured and taut withlovely intensity.”10th July 2024
The Ribeiro White Trophy was awarded for the first time in five years, and this time itwent to Bodega y Viñedos Pazo de Casanova for its Finca Viñoa Embotellado Tardío
2021.
The full list of Trophy and Champion winners at the 2024 International Wine Challengeannounced on 9th July can be viewed here.
ENDSNOTES 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 tothe 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