An annual contest that reviews and analyses several thousand wines and spirits from its London base is the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC). It’s been run every year since wine chemist Anton Massel created it in 1969.The emphasis of the founder on chemical analysis is preserved today; after the awards are given, any product recommended by the IWSC is checked by an independent laboratory.
The IWSC is organized to blindly sample all wines; glasses are poured before the judges arrive, so even the bottles and shapes remain unknown.
The judges themselves come from an eclectic variety of industries related to wine, such as winemaking, wine-writing, distilling, retail, distribution and hospitality. Bronze (75-79 points), silver (80-89 points) and gold (90-100 points) are the prizes that the competition awards. The ‘Best in Class’ classification is appended to the medal and award for class-winning wines.Every year, trophies are also presented to goods, manufacturers, retail businesses and individuals.
The IWSC is presided over by an elected president each year. Wolf Blass (2005), Baroness Philippine de Rothschild (2000), Miguel Torres (1999), Robert Mondavi (1983) and Harry Waughh were among the former holders of this office (1981).In 2010, Prince Robert of Luxembourg (Clarence Dillon’s great-grandson and Domaine Clarence Dillon’s president) was the president, confirming the international character of the competition and the respect it commands.
For full lists of wines winning the competition and details on the competition itself, visit https://www.iwsc.net.
1. Bodegas Borsao Vina Borgia, Campo de Borja, Spain
Fruity cherry and raspberry nose. Medium tannins and medium acidity. Blackberry, and black cherry body with leathery tannins and a touch of earth.
Year: 2008
Awarded medal: Gold
Price: 4$
2. Kumala Reserve Shiraz, Western Cape, South Africa
Clean lines of green pear, green plum, white flower and crushed chalk make for a very compelling nose to this bottling. It’s immediately appealing on the palate as well, where clingy tannins deliver exotic flavors of guava skin, Key lime and heirloom pome fruits.
Year: 2017
Awarded medal: Silver
Price: 4$
3. Broadland Wineries ‘Three Mills’ Reserve White, England
Three Mills Reserve White has notes of gooseberry, melon and apple on the palate. It is best served chilled and is a restrained fruity drink, idea as an aperitif or accompanying fish, chicken, cheese or deserts.
Awarded year: 2018
Awarded medal: Silver
Price: 4$
4. Principe de Viana Roble Vinas Viejas Garnacha, Navarra, Spain
High-toned cherry and plum aromas are aggressive, as is a lean palate. Plum and cranberry flavors are firmly in the red, while this Garnacha offers side notes of peppery spice. This is juicy and spunky more than dark and heavy.
Year: 2015
Awarded medal: Silver
Price: 4$
5. Torley Fortuna, Etyek-Buda, Hungary
The appearance is clear-gold with visible petillance. Nose is clean, medium intensity, aromas of youthful candied green apples, honeycomb, lime marmalade, a touch of exotic fruits with mild toasty aromas. This wine is developing. The palate is luscious, med acidity, no tannins, med alcohol, med body, med flavour intensity, flavours could be best described as green ripe apples drizzled in lashings of thick sweet honey. The mousse is delicate and persistent. There are levels of acidic lemon struggling to surface through the high levels of residual sugar, but that should be expected.
Awarded year: 2016
Awarded medal: Silver
Price: 4$
6. Felix Solis Vina Albali Tempranillo, Valdepenas, Spain
Stalky aromas are gritty, while this Tempranillo feels creamy at the edges but otherwise closed. Spicy, leafy berry flavors are earthy and basic, while this finishes short.
Year: 2012
Awarded medal: Silver
Price: 4$
7. Gallo Family Vineyards Moscato, California, USA
Tastes sweet, ever so slightly bubbly, very light oak finish. Excellent cheap moscato. Light and bubbly and fun all around.
Awarded year: 2012
Awarded medal: Silver
Price: 4$
8. Bodegas Penascal ‘Clasico’ Aguja Vino Rosado de la Tierra de Castilla y Leon, Spain
Because we are going out, to take the appetizer and let it be lengthened until lunchtime. Because we like to enjoy much and without haste of the best moment of the day. We are from Peñascal Ice. A lively wine. Bright looking. Fresh and very sparkling. Overflowing youth and good color. Tasty from the first sip.
Awarded year: 2010
Awarded medal: Silver
Price: 4$
9. Leopard’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon, Western Cape, South Africa
Cherry, blueberry and cassis backed by earthy coffee give this wine flavor and heft, but it’s not a terribly complex pour. It would pair well with exotic dishes like spiced lamb or assertive cheeses. Grown in vineyards visited by the indigenous leopard population of the Franschhoek Valley/Western Cape Winelands area.
Year: 2016
Awarded medal: Silver
Price: 5$
10. Cantina di Custoza Val dei Molini Corvina Garda, Veneto, Italy
The ruby red Corvina Val dei Molini is a very nice example of the climatic characteristics of the wine region on Lake Garda, which has a microclimate comparable to the Mediterranean climate. The good conditions help the autochthonous Veronese grape variety to reach full maturity. The wine is partially aged in large wooden and barrique barrels, which gives it an additional depth of flavor. The bouquet has a very soft aroma with pleasant notes of ripe berries. The palate is lush and approachable with excellent structure and soft tannins.
Year: 2016
Awarded medal: Silver
Price: 5$