The International Wine Challenge (IWC) is a wine challenge based in Britain that has been held every year since 1984. It was launched by Robert Joseph, a British wine journalist, but is now meticulously run by William Reed Business Media.
In three tasting rounds spread over two weeks, several hundred IWC judges blind-taste approximately 13,000 entries. Wines that in the initial round advance to the second round score more than 85 points, where they are awarded gold, silver and bronze medals. The third and final round is solely for the winners of the gold medal, to determine who is the winner of his class’s trophy.
At the IWC dinner, an important date on the social calendar of the wine industry and attended by more than 800 British and foreign guests, the awards are announced and presented.
The findings are published on the IWC website and in Harpers wine magazine, the World’s Best Wines Guide.
Co-founders Charles Metcalfe, Derek Smedley MW, Tim Atkin MW and Sam Harrop MW are among the chairmen of the competition. These judges also run the Library Selection Competition of the IWC, which specializes in wines aged five or 10 years.
1. Adega de Moncao ‘Muralhas de Moncao’, Vinho Verde, Portugal
Slight carbonation and a small film of bubbles that settle to a clean glass when poured. Green apple on the nose. A dry fresh acidity followed by a quick refreshing finish. Ruby red color. Complex, slightly vinous and full-bodied with aromas of wild berries. Well-balanced mouthfeel of all its main elements (alcohol, dry extract and acid), full-bodied and smooth texture.
Year: 2016
Awarded-medal: Gold Trophy
Price: 3$
2. Allini Asti Spumante, Piedmont, Italy
Excellent value for money for this bottle. Typical aromas of Italian Muscat with notes of peach and orange blossom. The residual follow through was not too present but there on the palate. Beautiful bottle. A sweet, sparkling wine from Italy: this mild spumante is made from the best Moscato grapes in Piedmont. It delights with the typical intense fruity muscatel aromas and a floral touch.
Year: 2013
Awarded-medal: Gold
Price: 4$
3. Bacalhoa – Caves Alianca Serras de Azeitao BrancoSetubal Peninsula, Portugal
An excellent wine at a small price. Body, a little length, very dark color. It is time to drink it, which is quite normal for this type of wine. A must have! A white wine with a light lemon color, an aroma of flowers and pineapple; in the mouth, the fruits will be even more clearly highlighted. It is fresh, mineral and very complete, giving it a long and persistent finish. Serras de Azeitão wine has been produced since 2001.
Year: 2012
Awarded-medal: Silver
Price: 4$
4. Quinta dos Castelares TintoDouro, Portugal
It is a mulled wine with freixenista character from the Alto Douro. Aromas of ripe fruit with hints of pink rock and spices, and discreet floral notes. Very complex and elegant, with fine tannins, soft and good volume in the mouth, which makes it very gastronomic.
Year: 2017
Awarded-medal: Silver
Price: 6$
5. Mateus & Sequeira Cadao Reserva TintoDouro, Portugal
With a closed ruby color, violet hues, red and black fruit aromas in jam, with balsamic touches, notes of toast, vanilla and chocolate, structured and dense but at the same time elegant soft and very persistent.
Year: 2016
Awarded-medal: Silver
Price: 6$
6. Las Rocas de San Alejandro ‘Baltasar Gracian’ El Politico GarnachaCalatayud, Spain
A fragrant wine, with cherry and oregano aromas. The mouth is big, round and adulzonado. A great exponent of the work of the cooperatives in Calatayud. Very good value for money
Year: 2018
Awarded-medal: Silver
Price: 6$
7. Santa Rita 120 Reserva Especial MalbecCentral Valley, Chile
Vanilla and caramel immediately grab the taste buds. The oak develops notes of toasted coconut and quickly follows on from the roasting. Caramel, nuts, coffee, molasses, the typical aromas of the Latin style are there. Rum is rather light, sweet but not syrupy.
Year: 2018
Awarded-medal: Silver
Price: 6$
8. Biscardo Borgo San Lorenzo SoaveVeneto, Italy
The fragrance is fresh and lush, with the appearance of tropical fruits, yellow apple and quince, with the addition of citrus and lime.
The taste is medium-bodied, structurally fruity and lively, fresh acidity, well balanced.
Year: 2018
Awarded-medal: Silver
Price: 6$
9. Bodegas Val de Vid ‘Eylo’Rueda, Spain
Good intensity. Aromes of citrus from skin of Orange, and fruit white and tropical arable and balsamic tones. Insense sensations, elegant and fresh with very fruity notes.
Year: 2019
Awarded-medal: Silver
Price: 6$
10. Mezzacorona Castel Firmian Marzemino TrentinoTrentino-Alto Adige, Italy
Of a ruby red color with a purple reflection. It is well-balanced with soft tannins, notes of pomegranate, morel berry, sour black berry, with slight hints of violet, with slight vegetal and tannic notes. The nose opens on perfumed aromas of red fruits which mix with vegetal, violet and almond notes. On the palate, it is medium-bodied and harmonious, with supple tannins.
Year: 2017
Awarded-medal: Silver
Price: 6$
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