More than 50 Australian wines received a gold medal at the 2024 International Wine Challenge (IWC). That performance put Australia second only to France in the total number of medals and trophies awarded.
Celebrating its 40th year in 2024, The IWC is one of the world’s foremost wine competitions. The IWC judging panel comprises more than 500 experts from 38 countries, assessing each wine in a blind tasting, looking for its faithfulness to style, region, and vintage.
There were over 4000 medals awarded to wines from 38 countries this year, with Australia entering more than 560 from producers across the country. Of particular acclaim was Robert Oatley Wines' 2018 vintage, The Pennant Cabernet Sauvignon, which won the International Cabernet Sauvignon Trophy.
Morris Wines’ Old Premium Rare Topaque took home the Australian Fortified Trophy, and Shaw + Smith’s 2021 Balhannah Vineyard Shiraz was the best Australian Red. Blanc de Blancs’ 2014 House of Arras won the Australian Sparkling Trophy, while Stefano Lubiana Wines’ 2022 Collina Chardonnay took out the Australian White Trophy.
There were 54 Australian wines that scored the 95-plus score needed to win a gold medal. South Australian winery, Beresford Wines, was one such company, for its Beresford Classic Shiraz 2021. South Australian wines took home over half, 10 of the 19, total trophies awarded to Australian wines.
Beresford Wines head winemaker, Chris Dix, said that this award not only puts South Australian wines on the world map, but reinforces the company’s commitment to producing wines that capture the essence of McLaren Vale.
"At Beresford Wines, we believe that great wine begins in the vineyard. This award highlights our precise viticultural practices and innovative winemaking techniques.
“Each step, from vineyard to bottle, truly reflects the rich heritage and unique terroir of McLaren Vale, and the Beresford Wines legacy, which dates back to 1985,” he said.
