Global Wine Experts Rank NZ Wines Among the Best In the World – New Zealand ranked third in the world for its wine, according to the latest results of the International Wine Challenge, the world’s most rigorous wine competition. Kiwi wines scooped up 14 Gold medals and 287 medals overall in the first round of the 2020 International Wine Challenge with Australia in first place with 36 Gold medals and France in second place with 26.
Marlborough, Hawke’s Bay and Central Otago going for Gold
The Gold medal-winners were produced in some of the best wine regions in New Zealand: Marlborough, Hawke’s Bay and Central Otago. Amongst the Gold medal-winners, a $15.99 Sauvignon Blanc available from The Good Wine Co was one of the highest scoring wines of the entire competition. Stoneleigh Wild Valley Wild Sauvignon Blanc 2019 was one of only six wines to score 96 out of 100 available points; other top scorers included a Chablis Grand Cru and a premium red Burgundy from France.
“New Zealand has long been regarded as one of the finest producers of Sauvignon Blanc in the world, and the results from this first tranche of the International Wine Challenge prove that. It’s also great to see that a range of other wine styles from New Zealand, both white and red, were recognised for their excellence”, commented Peter McCombie MW, International Wine Challenge Co-Chairman.
Stoneleigh scooped a second Gold for its Rapaura Series Chardonnay 2018, whilst Tohu Wines also picked up two Gold medals for Tohu Awatere Valley Pinot Gris 2019 and Tohu Whenua Awa Chardonnay 2017.
Church Road led the charge for Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay, taking home Gold medals for both Church Road McDonald Series Chardonnay 2018 and Church Road Grand Reserve Chardonnay 2018. Whilst Elephant Hill was awarded Gold for its Stone Syrah 2017.
Central Otago produced some top-performing Pinots, with Wild Earth Pinot Noir 2017 and Nevis Bluff Pinot Gris 2017 both achieving Gold medals.
The New Zealand Gold Medal Wines
Lake Chalice The Raptor Pinot Noir, 2017
Produced by Lake Chalice Wines
From Marlborough,New Zealand
Made with Pinot Noir
Nevis Bluff Pinot Gris, 2017
Produced by Nevis Bluff Wines
From Central Otago,New Zealand
Made with Pinot Gris
Blind River TeKau Sauvignon Blanc, 2017
Produced by Lawson’s Dry Hills
From Marlborough,New Zealand
Made with Sauvignon Blanc
Leefield Station Pinot Noir, 2018
Produced by Marisco Vineyards
From Marlborough,New Zealand
Made with Pinot Noir
Pa Road Sauvignon Blanc, 2019
Produced by te Pa Family Vineyards
From Marlborough, New Zealand
Made with Sauvignon Blanc
Stoneleigh Wild Valley Wild Sauvignon Blanc, 2019
Produced by Pernod Ricard Winemakers New Zealand
From Marlborough, New Zealand
Made with Sauvignon Blanc
Stoneleigh Rapaura Series Chardonnay, 2018
Produced by Pernod Ricard New Zealand
From Marlborough, New Zealand
Made with Chardonnay
Church Road McDonald Series Chardonnay, 2018
Produced by Pernod Ricard Winemakers New Zealand
From Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
Made with Chardonnay
Church Road Grand Reserve Chardonnay, 2018
Produced by Pernod Ricard Winemakers New Zealand
From Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
Made with Chardonnay
Elephant Hill Stone Syrah, 2017
Produced by Elephant Hill
From Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
Made with Syrah, Viognier
Wild Earth Pinot Noir, 2017
Produced by Wild Earth Wines
From Central Otago, New Zealand
Made with Pinot Noir
Tohu Awatere Valley Pinot Gris, 2019
Produced by Kono NZ
From Marlborough, New Zealand
Made with Pinot Gris
Tohu Whenua Awa Chardonnay, 2017
Produced by Kono NZ
From Marlborough, New Zealand
Made with Chardonnay
Tesco Finest Central Otago Pinot Noir, 2018
Produced by Villa Maria
From Central Otago, New Zealand
Made with Pinot Noir
Download the IWC 2020 Tranche 1 – Press Release for New Zealand