The IWSC Northern Hemisphere results are out

IWSC 2021 highlights

• 60 judges: 23% Masters of Wine, 13% Grasp Sommeliers and 100% main wine specialists from each sector of the drinks commerce, together with patrons, importers and distributors.
• Wines entered from 39 completely different international locations comprising of 329 completely different grape varieties.
• 3,400 medals have been awarded from bronze, silver to the coveted gold.
• New classes to take the stage in 2021 have been Prosecco rosé and Chinese language candy wines.
• 148 gold medals have been awarded to excellent wines with nice persona, character and complexity, from 19 completely different international locations, together with England, Canada, France and Italy.
• Report-breaking medal depend for Italy, with Barolo taking dwelling probably the most medals.

IWSC judges Rebecca Palmer, David Kermode and Roger Jones take pleasure in a socially distanced picture second with wine blogger Hannah Bouchon. Credit score: Hannah Bouchon
The IWSC is delighted to fulfil yet one more spherical of judging throughout a world pandemic. There have been 60 specialists in attendance: over 23% of the panels have been Masters of Wine, over 13% Grasp Sommeliers, and all main wine specialists from each sector of the drinks commerce, together with patrons, importers and distributors. The 2021 Wine Judging Committee – John Hoskins MW, Sarah Abbott MW, Dirceu Vianna Junior MW and Alistair Cooper MW – oversaw the rigorous judging course of, and social-distancing guidelines which have been in place all through the tastings.

Over 4,000 wines have been tasted throughout two weeks, awarding 3,400 medals, from bronze, silver to the coveted gold. Wines have been entered from 39 international locations with 148 gold medals awarded. The judges have been happy to see excessive medal winners amongst emerging countries, together with Japan, China, Moldova, Russia and Georgia.

Nearly all of entries have been from nonetheless wines. Nevertheless, the IWSC continues to see the glowing class dominate the medal depend. Over 800 glowing wines have been entered from throughout 18 completely different international locations. Gold medals have been awarded to glowing wines from Champagne, Cava and Prosecco; whereas English sparkling wine continues to develop in high quality and impress the judges. It was encouraging to see gold medals awarded to international locations which are much less famend for his or her glowing wine manufacturing, equivalent to Moldova. And new to 2021, the Prosecco rosé class was praised by judges for its steadiness and purity of fruit.

Candy wines proceed to excite the judges, with wines coming from over 10 completely different international locations, and – for the primary time on the IWSC – judges have been handled to candy wines from China. 12 golds have been awarded on this class, together with wines from Greece, Canada and Austria.

This was the yr the IWSC noticed native grape varieties take centre stage. Round 50% of all entries got here from lesser-known or indigenous varieties, with medal-winning grapes together with Öküzgözü from Turkey, Beibinghong from China and Cvetochniy from Russia. As all the time, the extra conventional varieties have been effectively represented with 10% of entries being a mix of, or single-varietal Chardonnay wine.

Italy took dwelling probably the most medals of all international locations, with wines from each area of the nation entered. It was refreshing to see gold medals awarded to less-prominent wines, specifically a powerful Lambrusco from Emilia-Romagna and a stand-out Pecorino from Abruzzo. Barolo was in a position to keep its standing as ‘King of Wine’, with the Italian crimson receiving probably the most gold medals.

Christelle Guibert, CEO of the IWSC commented, “An enormous congratulations to all our medal winners. It’s so nice to see the variety of the wines entered year-on-year, with new classes, equivalent to Prosecco rosé and Chinese language candy wines, represented in 2021.”

“As restrictions imposed by the worldwide pandemic start to ease, and the hospitality business resumes its rightful place amongst the commerce, it’s reassuring to know that nice winemakers and high quality wines will proceed to thrill customers.”

See the total listing of the 2021 IWSC results.

The Wine Judging Committee will now be re-tasting every gold-winning wine to pick out one of the best bottles throughout a spread of classes. The trophy-winners will probably be revealed on 25 October 2021.