153 medals for New World wines // Tremendous variety among the winning wines
Wines from the New World impressively proved their quality at this year’s Summer Tasting for the Grand International Wine Award MUNDUS VINI: in the overall medals table, there were 60 medals for Australia, 38 for Chile, 25 for South Africa, 20 for New Zealand and 10 for the United States.
Casella Family Brands (Australia; 12 Gold, 5 Silver) and Viña Ventisquero (Chile; 5 Gold, 8 Silver) were named the best wineries of the New World. The quality of both wineries made a lasting impression on the international wine experts at the Summer Tasting.
A total of 16 Grand Gold, 703 Gold and 1,001 Silver medals were awarded at the 21st Grand International Wine Award MUNDUS VINI. Nearly 4,300 wines from 42 of the world’s wine-growing areas were blind tasted and rated by the 164-strong jury of experts, who travelled here from 41 countries specifically for this event.
In the overall ranking, Italy received 2 Grand Gold, 139 Gold and 270 Silver medals, putting them in first position – the same position as in the previous year. Germany’s wineries followed in second place with a fabulous overall result (341 medals), with Spain close behind with 340 medals, Portugal (151 medals) and France (106 medals).
Grand Gold is only awarded to wines of absolute top quality, and went to Spain (6), France (5), Italy and Portugal (2 each), and finally to Germany (1).
‘The competition has developed in a most exciting way in recent years: the variety of countries of origin and grapes, new varieties, but also old grape varieties that had almost been forgotten have experienced a genuine renaissance.
Wines from places other than the classic European growing areas have developed fantastically in recent years, and it’s just a delight to see that not only autochthonous grape varieties are being offered in superlative qualities, but the classics – Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay – also demonstrate just how tremendous the world of wine is. Our jurors were extremely impressed by the quality,’ Director of Degustation Christian Wolf sums up.
There was also a strong representation of wines from Austria (46 medals), Chile (38), South Africa (25) and – in particular – from Turkey (22 medals) and Eastern Europe, all of which were rated highly by the international jury of expert. There was also a marked upward development in the quality of wines from the Czech Republic (23 medals) and Bulgaria (14 medals).
Two wines from Denmark, a country that is not necessarily immediately associated with wine growing, received Silver, while Belgium created no less of a stir by receiving one Gold and one Silver medal.
‘The Summer Tasting shows how positively the wine offering has developed in recent years. Among the top wines, we had the pleasure of sampling some amazing quality wines, and among the more basic qualities were some that were extremely pleasant to drink. We are delighted that, once again this year, the winners included a wide range of wines and price categories. From easy-drinking to highly ambitious top wines, there is plenty of choice for any occasion and wallet,’ adds Director of Degustation Christian Wolf.
The following wineries were honoured for the best collection – that is, the winery whose wines achieved the best total in the overall results – at this year’s Summer Tasting:
Best German Producer: Weingut Juliusspital, Würzburg (5 Gold, 4 Silver)
Best German Cooperative: Vier Jahreszeiten Winzer eG, Bad Dürkheim (8 Gold, 6 Silver)
Best Italian Producer: Cantine San Marzano, San Marzano di San Giuseppe (1 Grand Gold, 4 Gold, 9 Silver)
Best Spanish Producer: Emilio Lustau, Jerez de la Frontera (3 Grand Gold, 10 Gold, 2 Silver)
Best French Producer: Cooperative Agricole Wolfberger, Eguisheim (2 Gold, 4 Silver)
Best Portuguese Producer: Sogrape Vinhos, Vila Nova Gaia (5 Gold, 7 Silver)
Best Australian Producer: Casella Family Brands, Yenda (12 Gold, 5 Silver)
Best Chilean Producer: Viña Ventisquero, Lo Miranda (5 Gold, 8 Silver)
In addition to the recognised and highly coveted MUNDUS VINI medals, wines that received the highest rating in their category were also given a special award. The Best of Show Australian Red Wine is the 2012 Shottesbrooke Single Vineyard Series ‘McLaren Flat’ Cabernet, the Best of Show Chilean Wine is the 2012 Viña Maipo Limited Edition Handpicked Syrah and the Best of Show New Zealand White Wine is the 2016 Ara Single Estate Sauvignon Blanc by the Giesen Estate.
Other awards also went to the Amontillado VORS 20 Years by Emilio Lustau as the Best of Show Sherry, to Cantina dei Marchesi di Barolo for the Best of Show Barolo (2013 Barolo Sarmassa), and the Best of Show Vintage Champagne is the Dom Pérignon P2 Vintage 2000.
You will find all the results of the Summer Tasting now at www.mundusvini.com.
About MUNDUS VINI
MUNDUS VINI was founded 16 years ago by the Meininger Verlag, and from the beginning has been one of the most important wine competitions in the world. Only the best 40% of the wines submitted to the competition receive medals for their quality, which underscores the exclusivity of the MUNDUS VINI medals as well as the professionalism and uniqueness of the event itself. The 10,000 wines that are submitted every year are clear proof of the importance this competition has now achieved in Germany and all over the world. They are evaluated using the 100-point system of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV). The Wine Award process takes place twice a year, in spring and late summer.
MUNDUS VINI was founded in 2001 by the publishing company Meininger Verlag, which specialises in trade journals for the wine industry. It is considered the European leader in this field. The media company, which was founded in 1903, also organises trade fairs, industry events and conventions.
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www.mundusvini.com
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