MASTER OF MALBEC: ARGENTINA PICKS UP 327 MEDALS AT INTERNATIONAL WINE CHALLENGE

327 Argentinian wines awarded medals at 31st annual International Wine Challenge

  • 16 IWC Gold medals awarded to Argentinian wines
  • Nine Malbecs wow the judges and receive Gold
  • Two Argentinian whites secure top prize

Argentina has firmly cemented its reputation as a powerhouse of wine making, with 16 Argentinian wines winning Gold medals at the International Wine Challenge 2014. Argentinian wine makers were awarded a total of 327 medals by the world-renowned wine competition, with 68 wines winning a Silver medal and 123 receiving Bronze medals.

Argentinian red excelled in this year’s competition with 14 Gold medals being awarded to red wines, nine of whichwere awarded Aregentinian Malbecs. Bodegas Fabre S.A, based in the Mendoza region of the country received two Gold medals for its Viñalba Gran Reservado Malbec 2012 and its ViñalbaPatagonian Reserva Malbec 2012. Ten of the Gold medal winners stemmed from the Mendoza region, which accounts for almost two-thirds of the country’s entire production.

Three Cabernet Sauvignons wowed the judges, picking up much-coveted Gold medals. Unáime 2009 by Bodegas Santa Ana, the 2010 Catenda Appelation (Agrelo) Cabernet Sauvignon by Bodega Caterna Zapata and the 2012 Waxed Bat Reserve by Peñaflor all achieved stuck Gold at the competition.

Two Argentinian dry whites were also awarded with the top prize; Amalayay Blanco de Corte 2013 by Bodega Amalaya and Laborum Torrontés 2013 by El Porvenir de Carayate.

Charles Metcalfe, the co-Chairmen of the International Wine Challenge commented:

“We have seen some exquisite Argentinian wines this year. We have come to expect fine Malbecs from our Argentinian wine makers and they definitely did not disappoint.These Gold medal winning wines demonstrate how the country’s wine makers are a force to be reckoned with within the wine industry, and this award will catapult them to an international audience.”

This year the IWC hosted two separate tasting events for the first time, Tranche 1 in November 2013 and Tranche 2 in April 2014, to accommodate the different production and sales schedules across the industry, and give winemakers two different moments in the year to enter their wines.

Charles continued:

“The International Wine Challenge is committed to rigorous and fair tasting and has subsequently earned its reputation as the most well-respected wine competition in the world. By hosting two separate tasting events across the year, wines are given the best chance to perform well, wherever they’re from.”

“If a shopper sees an IWC medal sticker on a bottle of wine, its quality can be trusted, as it has been selected by some of the world’s best tasters. Whether you are a wine novice or an experienced wine-drinker, our stickers can help you find a great wine every time,” he added.

Visit the IWC website for the full list of winners:

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What is the International Wine Challenge?

In its 31st year, the International Wine Challenge is accepted as the world’s finest and most meticulously judged competition. The IWC assesses every wine ‘blind’ and judges each for its faithfulness to style, region and vintage. Each medal winning wine is tasted on at least three separate occasions by a minimum of 10 different judges including Masters of Wine. Awards include medals (Gold, Silver, Bronze) and Commended awards. The IWC is committed to helping consumers discover great wine, and the medals displayed on winning bottles offer a trusted guarantee of quality.

Visit the IWC website for the full list of winners

For more information please contact:
Manifest / IWC
Ali Maynard & Helen Kenny
t.0203 1379270
m.07712 877 972
/ Chris Ashton
t.07884 063405

All International Wine Challenge news can be found at our Digital Newsroom