The International Wine Challenge (IWC) has just announced its top 40 wines of the world. Here's what we should be drinking...
But first a bit of background. In its 39th year, the International Wine Challenge is accepted as the world’s most rigorous, impartial, and influential wine competition. It assesses every wine ‘blind’ and judges each for its faithfulness to style, region and vintage. Awards include medals (Gold, Silver, Bronze) and Commended awards, which you will see on the bottles.
Time to discover some wines awarded for their great value…
The Ned Noble Sauvignon Blanc, 2021
TASTING NOTES: Concentrated mango, guava, and pineapple notes on the palate with caramelised pineapple and nectarine; refreshing acidity on the finish.
IWC Great Value Champion Sweet 2022,
IWC Great Value Sweet Under £15
Morrisons The Best Oloroso, NV
TASTING NOTES: Gorgeous concentration and wholemeally power with melted smoky almond character. Finishing with a mineral, very long bone dry finish. Very complex Oloroso.
IWC Great Value Champion Fortified 2022
IWC Great Value Fortified under £8
Tesco Finest Premier Cru Champagne, NV
TASTING NOTES: A wine of great poise. Attractive lemon peel with roasted almonds. Great complexity with a delightful creamy buttery richness on the finish.
IWC Great Value Champion Sparkling 2022
IWC Great Value Sparkling under £25
Cintu Ile de Beaute Corsican Rose, 2021
TASTING NOTES: Delicate and expressive aromatically with wild strawberry, pear and orange blossom. Zesty, lively acidity with a vibrant mineral finish.
IWC Great Value Champion Rosé 2022
IWC Great Value Rosé between £8 and £12
Paul Mas Réserve Languedoc Blanc, 2021
TASTING NOTES: Exuberant aromas of peach, honeysuckle, and grilled yellow plums with beautiful, bouncy white stone fruits on the palate. Characterful and joyful with sweet lychee flavours offset by some bright tangerine and citrus notes.
Languedoc White Trophy
IWC Great Value Champion White 2022
IWC Great Value White between £8 and £12
Tesco Finest Montepulciano D’Abruzzo, 2019
TASTING NOTES: Intense ruby red; fresh cherry cornucopia – Morello and Bing – spiked with sweet spices, fresh, vibrant, dense, dark and concentrated with chocolate cherry flavours and a fresh firm finish.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Trophy
IWC Great Value Champion Red 2022
IWC Great Value Red under £8
And now for some English stars, yes there are some!
Highweald Brut Reserve, non-vintage blend captures the essence of English sparkling wine. It has a citrus lemon-flower nose with saline citrus fruit. It threatens to bite your palate but then softens and deepens into a fine finish. £35.
Artefact #2 Barrel Aged Chardonnay, 2020. Intensely aromatic wet stone and citrus peel aromas segue into a deftly rounded, beautifully balanced palate with notes of subtle toast, hazelnut and a core of engaging freshness. £36.
For the complete list and wine inspiration visit the website.
Cheers!
You may also like:
