On 22 November, more than 80 wine enthusiasts and members of the Asian wine trade gathered at Jungsik Cafe, part of the renowned two-Michelin-star restaurant Jungsik in Seoul to discover top-awarded wines from this year’s Decanter Asia Wine Awards.

Of the 2,202 wines awarded a medal in this year’s competition, 60 were available to sample in the restaurant’s newly-opened café. Organised by wine style and body, the award-winning wines were laid out across the open-space floorplan to allow attendees both space and time to enjoy, concentrate and confirm the high quality of this year’s medal winners.

Event organiser and DAWA 2019 judge Moonsong Bang commented on the event:

Wine lover and event attendee Lee Jung-gu agreed, stating, “One of the great things about the DAWA Tasting is that you can taste a wide variety of wines from a wide variety of countries, including the UK, Georgia, and Greece, as well as the usual producers.”

From the producers’ perspective, having a DAWA-focused tasting in Korea is beneficial to a market that does not yet have access to all these wines. As Decanter’s Head of Marketing Alex Layton stated,

In total, the tasting, hosted in partnership with Mashija Magazine, included eight sparkling wines, 14 white wines, 32 red and six sweet/fortified wines.

See below to view the full list of award-winning wines available to sample at the event.

DAWA 2019 Tasting Line-up

García Carrión, Jaume Serra Brut Nature, Cava, Spain NV

40% Macabeo, 30% Parellada, 30% Xarello

Award: Gold, 96 points | Alcohol: 11.5%

Ajimu, Chardonnay Extra Brut, Oita, Kyushu, Japan 2017

100% Chardonnay

Award: Gold, 96 points | Alcohol: 11%

Piper-Heidsieck, Essentiel Cuvée Réservée Extra Brut, Champagne, Champagne, France NV

55% Pinot Noir, 30% Pinot Meunier, 15% Chardonnay

Award: Gold, 95 points | Alcohol: 12%

Nyetimber, Blanc de Blancs Brut, England, United Kingdom 2013

100% Chardonnay

Award: Gold, 95 points | Alcohol: 12%

Dominio de la Vega, Idilicum Brut, Cava, Spain NV

100% Macabeo

Award: Silver, 91 points | Alcohol: 11.5%

Foss Marai, Guia Brut, Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Superiore, Veneto, Italy 2018

100% Glera

Award: Silver, 90 points | Alcohol: 11%

Foss Marai, Dry, Prosecco Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze, Veneto, Italy NV

100% Glera

Award: Platinum, 97 points | Alcohol: 11%

Villa Sandi, Rive di San Pietro di Barbozza Dry, Prosecco di Conegliano Valdobbiadene Superiore Rive, Veneto, Italy 2018

100% Glera

Award: Gold, 96 points | Alcohol: 11.5%

Maison Castel, Sauvignon Blanc, Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France 2018

100% Sauvignon Blanc

Award: Gold, 95 points | Alcohol: 12.3%

Castelo de Medina, Sauvignon Blanc, Rueda, Spain 2018

100% Sauvignon Blanc

Award: Gold, 95 points | Alcohol: 13.5%

McGuigan, Bin 9000 Semillon, Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia 2014

100% Sémillon

Award: Gold, 95 points | Alcohol: 10.9%

Mount Pleasant, Lovedale Semillon, Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia 2013

100% Sémillon

Award: Gold, 95 points | Alcohol: 10.5%

See all DWWA 2019 results

Brokenwood, ILR Reserve Semillon, Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia 2013

100% Sémillon

Award: Gold, 96 points | Alcohol: 11%

Jacob’s Creek, Lyndale Chardonnay, Adelaide Hills, South Australia, Australia 2018

100% Chardonnay

Award: Best in Show, 97 points | Alcohol: 13.2%

Bird in Hand, Nest Egg Chardonnay, Adelaide Hills, South Australia, Australia 2017

100% Chardonnay

Award: Gold, 95 points | Alcohol: 13%

Castello di Buttrio, Torre Butria, Colli Orientali del Friuli, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy 2013

70% Tocai Friulano, 20% Chardonnay, 10% Sauvignon Blanc

Award: Bronze, 86 points | Alcohol: 13.5%

Moulin de Gassac, Antozonita, IGP Pays d’Hérault, Languedoc-Roussillon, France 2018

90% Terret Blanc, 10% Carignan Blanc

Award: Gold, 95 points | Alcohol: 11.5%

Ogier, Clos de l’Oratoire des Papes, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône, France 2018

30%Grenache Blanc, 30% Clairette, 30% Roussanne

Award: Best in Show, 97 points | Alcohol: 13.5%

Grover Zampa, Vijay Amritraj Reserve Collection, Nashik, Maharashtra, India 2018

100% Viognier

Award: Gold, 95 points | Alcohol: 13.5%

Gatt, Riesling, High Eden (Eden Valley), South Australia, Australia 2014

100% Riesling

Award: Gold, 96 points | Alcohol: 11.5%

Shalva Gvaramadze, Qvevri Khikhvi, Kardenakhi, Kakheti, Georgia 2018

100% Khikhvi

Award: Gold, 95 points | Alcohol: 13%

La Cave des Vignerons de Pfaffenheim, Gewurztraminer, Grand Cru Steinert, Alsace, France 2017

100% Gewurztraminer

Award: Best in Show, 97 points | Alcohol: 13.2%

Bream Creek, Reserve Pinot Noir, East Coast, Tasmania, Australia 2017

100% Pinot Noir

Award: Best in Show, 97 points | Alcohol: 14.4%

Nicolas Potel, Les Vaucrains, Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru, Burgundy, France 2016

100% Pinot Noir

Award: Gold, 96 points | Alcohol: 13%

Cantina Bolzano, Prestige Line Lagrein Riserva, Alto Adige / Südtirol, Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol, Italy 2016

100% Lagrein

Award: Best in Show, 97 points | Alcohol: 14%

Marchesi Alfieri, Alfiera, Barbera d’Asti Superiore, Piedmont, Italy 2016

100% Barbera

Award: Gold, 95 points | Alcohol: 14.5%

Cantine Romagnoli, Caravaggio, Emilia, Emilia-Romagna, Italy 2017

60% Barbera, 30% Croatina, 10% Merlot

Award: Platinum, 97 points | Alcohol: 13.5%

Château Liouner, Listrac-Médoc, Bordeaux, France 2016

60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon

Award: Silver, 90 points | Alcohol: 14%

Fattoria di Magliano, Heba, Morellino di Scansano, Tuscany, Italy 2016

95% Sangiovese, 5% Syrah

Award: Silver, 92 points | Alcohol: 13%

Casa Raia, Bevilo, Toscana, Tuscany, Italy 2015

90% Sangiovese, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Canaiolo

Award: Bronze, 89 points | Alcohol: 14.5%

Read more about the DAWA Tasting from event partner, Mashija Magazine

Ridolfi, Donna Rebecca, Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy 2014

100% Sangiovese

Award: Gold, 95 points | Alcohol: 14%

Bodegas y Viñedos Heras Cordón, Vendimia Seleccionada, Crianza, Rioja, Spain 2016

80% Tempranillo, 10% Marzuelo, 10% Graciano

Award: Gold, 96 points | Alcohol: 14%

Bodegas Sobreño, Finca Sobreño Tempranillo, Reserva, Toro, Spain 2014

100% Tempranillo

Award: Platinum, 97 points | Alcohol: 14.5%

Alejandro Fernández Tinto Pesquera, Millenium, Gran Reserva, Ribera del Duero, Spain 2009

100% Tempranillo

Award: Best in Show, 97 points | Alcohol: 14%

Berselli & Solferino, Signature Collection Primitivo, Salento, Puglia, Italy 2017

100% Primitivo

Award: Bronze, 89 points | Alcohol: 14.5%

Clementi, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico, Veneto, Italy 2009

65% Corvina, 30% Rondinella, 5% Molinara

Award: Gold, 95 points | Alcohol: 16.5%

Dos Almas, Reserva Carménère, Colchagua, Chile 2016

100% Carmenère

Award: Gold, 95 points | Alcohol: 13%

Barton & Guestier, Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot, Médoc, Bordeaux, France 2018

60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot

Award: Gold, 96 points | Alcohol: 14%

Luna Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA 2016

100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Award: Gold, 95 points | Alcohol: 14.4%

Shottesbrooke, Single Vineyard Bush Vine Grenache, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia 2017

100% Grenache

Award: Gold, 95 points | Alcohol: 14.5%

Joseph Castan, Château Croix d’Aumèdes Cuvée Réserve, Corbières, Languedoc-Roussillon, France 2018

40% Carignan, 30% Syrah, 30% Grenache

Award: Best in Show, 97 points | Alcohol: 14.5%

St Hugo, Grenache-Shiraz-Mataro, Barossa, South Australia, Australia 2018

69% Grenache, 25% Shiraz, 6% Mataro

Award: Platinum, 97 points | Alcohol: 14.4%

Domaine Baquière, La Massia, Corbières, Languedoc-Roussillon, France 2018

80% Grenache, 20% Syrah

Award: Gold, 95 points | Alcohol: 14%

Fortant Skalli, Grands Terroirs, Saint-Chinian Berlou, Languedoc-Roussillon, France 2016

50% Carignan, 25% Syrah, 25% Mourvedre

Award: Gold, 95 points | Alcohol: 14%

Soliterra, Priorat, Spain 2016

60% Cariñena, 20% Garnacha, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon

Award: Platinum, 96 points | Alcohol: 15%

Viticultors del Priorat, Morlanda, Priorat, Spain 2016

50% Garnacha, 50% Carignan

Award: Gold, 95 points | Alcohol: 15%

Avantis Estate, Agios Chronos, Evia, Central Greece, Greece 2015

92% Shiraz, 8% Viognier

Award: Best in Show, 97 points | Alcohol: 14%

Capel Vale, Whispering Hill Single Vineyard Shiraz, Mount Barker, Western Australia, Australia 2018

100% Shiraz

Award: Best in Show, 97 points | Alcohol: 14%

Wirra Wirra, Woodhenge Shiraz, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia 2016

100% Shiraz

Award: Platinum, 97 points | Alcohol: 14.5%

John Duval, Eligo Shiraz, Barossa, South Australia, Australia 2016

100% Shiraz

Award: Gold, 95 points | Alcohol: 14.5%

See more highlights from DAWA 2019

Monte da Ravasqueira, Reserva da Familia Touriga Nacional-Syrah, Alentejano, Portugal 2016

70% Syrah, 30% Touriga Nacional

Award: Gold, 96 points | Alcohol: 14%

Stobi, Veritas Private Reserve, Tikvesh, Povardarje, Macedonia 2015

100% Vranac

Award: Platinum, 97 points | Alcohol: 14%

Chelti, Qvevri Saperavi, Kakheti, Georgia 2015

100% Saperavi

Award: Best in Show, 97 points | Alcohol: 14.5%

Ningxia Jiuximing Huang Co., Yuyue Marselan, Helan Mountain East, Ningxia, China 2018

95% Marselan, 5% Merlot

Award: Gold, 96 points | Alcohol: 15.8%

Dominio de la Vega, The End, Utiel Requena, Spain 2018

100% Sauvignon Blanc

Award: Bronze, 87 points | Alcohol: 14%

Monemvasia, Monemvasia-Malvasia, Monemvasia, Peloponnese, Greece 2012

60% Monemvassia, 20% Assyrtiko, 20% Kydonitsa

Award: Gold, 95 points | Alcohol: 13.5%

Liaoning San He, Cai Long Ling Jin Ding Icewine, Huanren, Liaoning, China 2014

100% Vidal

Award: Gold, 95 points | Alcohol: 12%

Isabella Winery, Little Beaver Riesling Icewine, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada 2018

100% Riesling

Award: Gold, 95 points | Alcohol: 10.5%

Schloss Gobelsburg, Grüner Veltliner Eiswein, Niederösterreich, Austria 2018

100% Grüner Veltliner

Award: Platinum, 97 points | Alcohol 8.5%

Florio, Donna Franca, Marsala Superiore Riserva, Sicily, Italy NV

100% Grillo

Award: Gold, 95 points | Alcohol: 19%

Now in its 7th year, ProWine China has firmly established itself in Shanghai. From 12-14 November 2019, more than 20,500 trade visitors attended the three-day event, which included a showcase of DAWA medal winners both on the Decanter stand and in a DAWA-focused masterclass.

Attendees from provinces and cities like Beijing, Guangdong, Xinjiang, Hainan, Shandong, Liaoning and Fujian gathered at ProWine China to network, discover and taste a wide variety of wines and spirits, including top-awarded wines from this year’s Decanter Asia Wine Awards.

Visitors to the Decanter stand had the opportunity to sample 23 DAWA 2019 award-winning wines including five Best in Show, four Gold, ten Silver and four Bronze medal winners. Spanish and Australian wines were well represented at the table, alongside wines from Italy, France, Canada and Georgia.

DAWA 2019 award winners were also showcased in a masterclass led by DAWA 2019 Vice-Chair Li Demei, a DecanterChina.com columnist, associate professor of wine tasting and oenology at Beijing Agriculture College, invited teacher at ESA Angers in France and consultant for several vineyards in China.

The full masterclass, attended by 80 members of the trade, focused on the Decanter Asia Wine Awards judging process and highlighted eight top-awarded wines from this year’s competition including:

Foss Marai, Dry, Prosecco Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze, Veneto, Italy NV

Platinum, 97 points

Kartlis Valley, Qvevri Amber Kisi, Kakheti, Gerogia 2017

Best in Show, 97 points

Bream Creek, Reserve Pinot Noir, East Coast, Tasmania, Australia 2017

Best in Show, 97 points

Jiuxi Mingzhuang, Yuyue Marselan, Helan Mountain East, Ningxia, China 2018

Gold, 96 points

Dos Almas, Reserva Carménère, Colchaqua, Chile 2016

Gold, 95 points

Joseph Castan, Château Croix d’Aumèdes Cuvée Réserve, Corbières, Languedoc-Roussillon, France 2018

Best in Show, 97 points

Alejandro Fernández Tinto Pesquera, Millenium, Gran Reserva, Ribera del Duero, Spain 2009

Best in Show, 97 points

Osborne, V.O.R.S Capuchino, Palo Cortado, Sherry, Spain NV

Best in Show, 97 points

ProWine China: DAWA 2019 Showcase

The following award-winning wines were sampled on the Decanter stand to showcase and highlight the high quality of wines awarded at DAWA 2019.

Best in Show

St Hugo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra, South Australia, Australia, 2016

Best in Show, 97 points

Capel Vale, Whispering Hill Single Vineyard Shiraz, Mount Barker, Western Australia, Australia, 2018

Best in Show, 97 points

Alejandro Fernández Tinto Pesquera, Millenium, Gran Reserva, Ribera del Duero, Spain, 2009

Best in Show, 97 points

Kartlis Valley, Qvevri Amber Kisi, Kakheti, Kakheti, Georgia, 2017

Best in Show, 97 points

Darioush, Signature Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2016

Best in Show, 97 points

Gold

Kingston Estate, Empiric Shiraz, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia, 2017

Gold, 95 points

Clementi, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico, Veneto, Italy, 2009

Gold, 95 points

Florio, Donna Franca, Marsala Superiore Riserva, Sicily, Italy, NV

Gold, 95 points

Bodegas Alvia, Titus Livius Tempranillo, Rioja, Spain, 2014

Gold, 95 points

Silver 

Karland Estate, Dolores Shiraz, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia, 2016

Silver, 90 points

AZ Master, 003 Botrytis Riesling-Savagnin, Coonawarra, South Australia, Australia, 2019

Silver, 90 points

AZ Master, 005 Riesling, Eden Valley, South Australia, Australia, 2019

Silver, 90 points

Fattoria di Magliano, Heba, Morellino di Scansano, Tuscany, Italy, 2016

Silver, 92 points

Ibai Viticultores, Clos Ibai Blanco, Rioja, Spain, 2017

Silver, 92 points

Bodegas Corral, Altos de Corral, Crianza, Rioja, Spain, 2015

Silver, 90 points

Bodegas Corral, Don Jacobo, Gran Reserva, Rioja, Spain, 2005

Silver, 90 points

Château Cafol, Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France, 2018

Silver, 90 points

Château de Grangeneuve, Sainte-Foy Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France, 2016

Silver, 94 points

Château La Fleur Fompeyre, Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France, 2018

Silver, 91 points

Bronze

Castello di Buttrio, Sauvignon Blanc, Colli Orientali del Friuli, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy, 2018

Bronze, 88 points

Château Moulin de Bel Air, Bordeaux Supérieur, Bordeaux, France, 2018

Bronze, 87 points

Château Saint Brice, Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux, France, 2018

Bronze, 87 points

Pillitteri, Helia Vineyards Vidal Icewine, Ontario – Niagara Peninsula, Canada, 2015

Bronze, 86 points

See all DAWA 2019 results

On Saturday 16 November, the sixth edition of the Decanter Shanghai Fine Wine Encounter welcomed over 1200 fine wine aficionados at the Ritz-Carlton Shanghai Pudong to meet more than 160 star producers from 17 countries. 

An impressive 600+ fine wines were available to sample at the one-day event, including ten of the top awarded wines from this year’s Decanter Asia Wine Awards.

Located in the iconic grand ball room of the Ritz-Carlton, the DAWA winners’ table was visited by hundreds of eager wine lovers interested to sample the top-awarded wines – the ‘Best in Show’ winners – from the 2019 competition and meet DAWA 2019 judge Alex Cumming, the CEO and Head Sommelier of FirstCellars.com, one of China’s leading wine e-commerce businesses.

The diverse line-up offered tasters the ideal opportunity to sample stellar benchmarks from well-known regions like Champagne and Napa Valley and discover rising stars from countries like Georgia and Greece.

See the DAWA 2019 winners’ table line-up from the Decanter Shanghai Fine Wine Encounter and tasting notes below.

Read more about the 2019 Decanter Shanghai Fine Wine Encounter on DecanterChina.com

DAWA 2019 ‘Best in Show’ line-up:

Piper-Heidsieck, Essentiel Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut, Champagne, France NV

Best in Show, 97 points

No trend in recent years in Champagne has been more significant than the gradual reduction of sugar levels in dosage, and it is remarkable how balanced Champagnes made in this style now seem to wine lovers and drinkers more generally. This non-vintage Blanc de Blancs illustrates the point perfectly, with its limpid purity and polished stone finesse: Extra Brut in style, yet not a trace of the gauntness and austerity once associated with low or zero-dosage Champagnes. The aromas, too, are fine-grained and pure, soft and creamy, just hinting at dessert apple and plant sap. The palate is lacy in texture, vivid and resonant in articulation; the finish fine-drawn and tapered.

Ogier, Clos de l’Oratoire des Papes, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône, France 2018

Best in Show, 97 points

White Châteauneuf-du-Pape is never an obvious wine — or if it is, it’s a poor example. This wine provides a masterclass in how to bring three historic varieties together with a subtlety and grace which belies the warmth of the wine’s origins. The weight and marrow comes from its 30% Grenache; while the wine’s enticing aromatic charm – summer blossoms, crushed fennel and aniseed, acacia honey and ground white almonds – shows how well the historic Clairette can work with Roussanne. At 13.5% abv, the wine is generous without clumsiness or torpidity, and delicate yet ripe acidity and a faintly bitter, cleansing finish add to its overall style and swish.

Kartlis Valley, Qvevri Amber Kisi, Kakheti, Georgia 2017

Best in Show, 97 points

Of the two outstanding Georgian Qvevri wines to make it into this year’s DAWA top twenty, this Kisi-based amber wine is certainly the most characterful. The aromas combine freshness and rich, singular allusiveness as only skin-fermented whites can do: look out for autumn orchard fruits, windfall apples and a barley sugar tang as well as more savoury notes of cheese rind, milk curd and bread dough. You can see the legacy of the wine’s months with its skins and perhaps stems in the firmly structured tannins. The 13.2% of alcohol is perfect, bringing warmth and glycerol to balance the tannins. Great qvevri wines must always be based on fully ripe fruit, so the acidity levels are modest, while all those unusual but arresting aromatic notes come cascading back to fill out the palate with interest and intrigue. Definitely a food wine, too. NB this wine was previously known under “Kart-Valley”.

Bodegas Linaje Garsea, Archangelus Gabrihel French Oak, Ribera del Duero, Spain 2014

Best in Show, 97 points

This year’s DAWA was a great one for Spain’s Tempranillo, as a look at our other Gold and Platinum medals will confirm: we had ample, multi-region Tempranillo choice as we came to pick our top twenty Best in Show. This wine, the first of a brace of Ribera del Duero examples, is very dark in colour, with alluringly sensual aromas of fleshy plum and black cherry, cosseted by sweet spices and soft Havana leaf. On the palate, it is deep, dark and rich, with much softer tannins (for example) than its top twenty Chianti counterpart. Still more blackberry richness comes to join the plum and cherry in the mouth. The wine has attractive supporting acidity, and the oaking shows welcome restraint, allowing that gorgeous fruit to sing through.

Alejandro Fernández Tinto Pesquera, Millenium, Gran Reserva, Ribera del Duero, Spain 2009

Best in Show, 97 points

A year in which two Ribera del Duero wines make it into the top twenty while no Rioja came through (though check out our Platinum and Gold Medal wines for some excellent Rioja choices) surely marks a milestone in the development of Spain’s great Duero region. This was the oldest wine among the still, unfortified choices in our top picks — yet a casual glance at its dark, black-purple colour is likely to surprise. The aromas, too, are youthful and packed with sweet, sumptuous black fruits; it’s really in the harmony with which these aromas swim together that you can note the passing of the years. In the mouth, the wine is soft and mouth-filling, autumnal and warm-fruited; the depth of that fruit and the amplitude of the wine’s coaxing tannins, though, mean that it still has at least a decade of cellar time ahead of it.

St Hugo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra, South Australia, Australia 2016

Best in Show, 97 points

Coonawarra fights it out annually with Margaret River as the source of Australia’s finest Cabernet. We don’t have a Margaret River example in this year’s top selection, but this dark red-black wine from the 2016 vintage underscores the South Australian region’s virtues: a clean, fresh precision of aroma in which blackcurrant meets tea leaf, and lively, midweight flavours which tease yet satisfy in equal measure. The allusive profile is very different, but in terms of classicism and balance this wine marks a perfect Southern Hemisphere counterpoint to our Best in Show Chianti Classico.

Darioush, Signature Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA 2016

Best in Show, 97 points

No region can mix ease of access with both the stamp of terroir and a fine-wine dignity quite like the Napa valley, and this 2016 example lives up to all the regional promise. It’s a dark red-black in colour, with exuberant yet refined berry fruits; the palate is soft, rich, open, mixing a little fig, pepper and tobacco with generous plum and bramble. Look out, too, for the salve of its tannins. Billowing Napa Cabernet provides the core of the blend, yet 6% of Merlot and 7% of Cabernet Franc help the wine maintain its complexity all the way to a dark, softly smoky finish.

Avantis Estate, Agios Chronos, Evia, Central Greece, Greece 2015

Best in Show, 97 points

Greece’s second largest island has its indigenous specialities, but the wine which caught our judges’ attention was this Cote-Rotie-like blend of Syrah, or Shiraz, with 8% Viognier. It’s already almost four years old, but you wouldn’t know it from its dark black-purple colour; the aromas are full of sweet enchantment, both floral and fruited, while in the mouth the wine is soft, bright and lively, without any sense either of hot-country forcing or weight, or of exaggerated winery confection. More flowers enliven the swish blackcurrant and black cherry fruits. Totally convincing, and a great blind-tasting wine to get your friends guessing.

Capel Vale, Whispering Hill Single Vineyard Shiraz, Mount Barker, Western Australia, Australia 2018

Best in Show, 97 points

The Mount Barker tradition with Shiraz may not be as well known as others in Australia, but this complex, enticingly scented midweight red stakes a convincing claim to the fine-wine high ground. It’s dark but not saturatedly deep in colour; precise and enchanting floral scents and sweet spices rather than sumo-like fruit dominate the aromatic profile. The palate brings those floral and spice notes together once again, and it’s just a spoonful or two of tar and earth rather than tannin which bring complexity to the pomegranate and damson fruits. Soft, naturally articulated acidity completes the happy picture.

Henriques & Henriques, Sercial, Madeira, Portugal 2001

Best in Show, 97 points

Dry, challenging Sercial is a Madeira-lover’s Madeira. There is usually little overt sweetness with which to offset the pungency and attack of age itself (eighteen years in this case). Once discovered, though, the style is limitlessly rewarding — as those who venture into this surprisingly accessible example of the genre will find. Burnished, tamarind scents give way to a cascade of lemon, grape and grapefruit — yet the wine’s 55g/l of sugar help shape and resolve those flavours into something almost toothsome. The wine’s prominent acidity (a typical feature of Madeira) means that it tastes drier than that residual sugar level would suggest, and the evaporative concentration of the ageing process leaves the wine as clean on the last sip as it was on the first.

See all DAWA 2019 results

Decanter showcases nine top medalists at the 25th edition of ProWein, Dusseldorf.

ProWein celebrated it’s 25th anniversary this year.

The three-day show (17–19 March) saw attendance records broken in Dusseldorf with 61,000 visitors from 142 countries.

In addition, over 6,900 exhibitors attended representing 64 different nations. Italy (1,654) and France (1,576) represented the largest exhibitor nations, followed by Germany (978), Overseas (600), Austria (335), Spain (661) and Portugal (387).

Decanter returned to ProWein to showcase nine winning wines from the 2018 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) and the 2018 Decanter Asia Wine Awards (DAWA).

The wines featured all received 97 points or above including four Platinum medalists and five Best in Shows. They came from various countries around the world including: Argentina, Australia, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland.

The wines available included six from DWWA and three from DAWA 2018.

The DWWA 2018 winners

Best in Show:

• Poggio al Tesoro, Il Seggio, Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy 2014
• Mr. Riggs , Shiraz, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia 2015
• Ferreira, Quinta do Porto, Single Quinta Vintage, Port, Portugal 2015
• Sandeman, 40 Year Old Tawny, Port, Portugal NV

Platinum:

• Tenuta San Giorgio, Arco Tondo, Ticino, Switzerland 2015
• Finca Sophenia, Synthesis Malbec, Gualtallary, Tupungato, Mendoza, Argentina 2015

The DAWA 2018 winners

Best in Show:

• Famille Gonnet, Font de Michelle, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône, France 2016

Platinum:

• El Enemigo, Gran Enemigo Single Vineyard Cabernet Franc, Gualtallary, Tupungato, Mendoza, Argentina 2014
• Portia, Prima La Encina, Ribera del Duero, Spain 2016

More than 1,200 wine lovers attended the fifth annual Decanter Shanghai Fine Wine Encounter.

Attendees had the opportunity to taste an array of DAWA 2018 award-winning wines including; one Bronze, two Gold, three Platinum and one Best in Show.

The Best in Show is the ultimate accolade at the Decanter Asia Wine Awards, and in 2018 only 20 wines were deemed worthy of this medal. Wine lovers were able to taste one of these from Australia, John Duval Wines, Entity Shiraz, Barossa, South Australia, Australia 2016.

The other six wines available to try were:

• Rockburn, Pinot Noir, Central Otago, New Zealand 2016
• Fattoria Astorre Noti in Ruppiano, Selachus Sangiovese-Cabernet Sauvignon, Tuscany, Italy 2016
• Bodegas Altanza, Lealtanza, Reserva, Rioja, Spain 2012
• Deianira, Collezione Esclusiva, Amarone della Valpolicella, Veneto, Italy 2009
• Garzón, Reserva Tannat, Maldonado, Uruguay 2016
• Helmut Lang, Sämling 88-Welschriesling Eiswein, Neusiedlersee, Burgenland, Austria 1990

Visitors to the stand also had the chance to meet Alex Cumming a judge at the 2018 Decanter Asia Wine Awards. Alex hosted an informal tasting at the stand which explored why the wines were great and why they were awarded their respective medals.

Click here to watch the Shanghai higlights video

Over 20 Decanter Asia Wine Award winning wines were showcased at ProWine China 2018.

ProWine China, now in it’s 6th edition, has seen continuing growth over the years, with the 2018 event welcoming over 750 wine producers and distributors from 39 countries. The number of trade attendees this year saw an impressive of 33.2% compared to last year, with 18,900 visitors over the course of the weekend.

Wine experts came from across China including Beijing, Guangdong, Xinjiang, Hainan, Shandong, Liaoning and Fujian.

Decanter exhibited again this year at ProWine China, showcasing 18 wines from this year’s Decanter Asia Wine Awards, including two Best in Show medal winning wines:

• John Duval Wines, Entity Shiraz, Barossa, South Australia, Australia 2016
• Zenato, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva, Veneto, Italy 2012

As well as two Platinum winning wines:

• Bodegas Altanza, Lealtanza, Reserva, Rioja, Spain 2012
• Henriques & Henriques, 15 Years Old Boal, Madeira, Portugal NV

Other wines that were exhibited on the stand included:

• Serendipity, Pinot Noir, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Walker Bay, South Africa, 2016
• Cantine Di Marco, Tané, Puglia, Puglia, Italy, 2017
• La Vicomte, Sarcelle, Languedoc, Languedoc-Roussillon, France, 2016
• Cantine Risveglio, Simposio, Brindisi, Puglia, Italy, 2013
• Cantine Di Marco, Malvanegra, Salento, Puglia, Italy, 2017
• Perlino, Asti, Piedmont, Italy, NV
• Helmut Lang, Rheinriesling Eiswein, Burgenland, Austria, 2015
• Deianira, Collezione Esclusiva, Amarone della Valpolicella, Veneto, Italy, 2009
• Sektkellerei Peter Herres, Herres Riesling Extra Trocken, Generic, Germany, NV
• Cantine Di Marco, Riserva del Fondatore, Primitivo di Manduria, Puglia, Italy, 2015
• Pianpolvere Soprano Bussia, Barolo Riserva, Piedmont, Italy, 2009
• Rocche dei Manzoni, Vigna Madonna Assunta La Villa, Barolo Riserva, Piedmont, Italy, 2008
• Celler Devinssi, Mas de les Valls, Priorat, Spain, 2016
• Helmut Lang, Gelber Musakteller Eiswein, Neusiedlersee, Burgenland, Austria, 2008

Li Demei, Vice-Chair of the Decanter Asia Wine Awards led a Masterclass on DAWA 2018 award-winning wines.

The masterclass wines included:

• Zenato, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva, Veneto, Italy 2012
• Siddùra, Spèra, Vermentino di Gallura, Sardinia, Italy 2017
• Amisfield, Pinot Noir, Central Otago, New Zealand 2015
• Chateau Auzias, Cabardès, Languedoc-Roussillon, France 2017
• Chateau Zhongfei, Caring Nature Barrel Aged Marselan, Yanqi, Xinjiang, China 2016
• Montalto, Estate Pinot Noir, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia 2017

See full DAWA 2018 results here 

Decanter attended TopWine China 2018 for the 7th year, showcasing 8 award winning wines as well as hosting a masterclass led by Maxime Lu.

Maxime Lu at TopWine China 2018

Lu began the masterclass by introducing the judging panel and judging process of Decanter Asia Wine Awards, now in its 7th year.

A full house of Beijing wine lovers gathered to taste DAWA medal-winning wines

The Masterclass on behalf of Decanter featured eight wines from the southern hemisphere that won a DAWA medal.

Wines entering the competition are rigorously blind tasted by more than 40 of Asia’s most influential and expert wine palates

The Decanter Stand at Topwine China 2018

The awards seek to identify quality wines that are already available in the Asian market, or those looking to enter the market.

2018 Top Wine China attracted 700 exhibitors during the three day show and is one of the biggest wine shows in north China.

A special selection of Decanter Asia Wine Awards 2017 award-winning wines were tasted at Singapore’s leading wine fair

Decanter presented 13 DAWA 2017 award-winning wines at ProWine Asia in Singapore last week.

Visitors to the fair where given the chance to taste 13 DAWA 2017 award-winning wines.

• Yealands Family Wines, Babydoll Sauvignon Blanc , Marlborough, New Zealand 2017
• Grace, Gris de Koshu, Yamanashi, Chubu, Japan 2016
• Château de Monrecueil, Bordeaux Supérieur, Bordeaux, France 2015
• Château Ramage La Batisse, Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, France 2014
• Les Roques de Cana, Sanguis Christi, Cahors, Southwest France, France 2008
• Shottebrooke, The Proprietor Reserve Series, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia 2014
• Gran Enemigo, Single Vineyard Cabernet Franc, Gualtallary, Tupungato, Mendoza, Argentina 2012
• Bodegas Arzuaga Navarro, Ribera del Duero Gran Reserva, Mainland Spain, Spain 2009
• Condado de Haza, Alenza, Ribera del Duero Gran Reserva, Mainland Spain, Spain 2006
• Bodegas Corral, Don Jacobo, Rioja Gran Reserva, Mainland Spain, Spain 2004
• Marco Bonfante, Bussia, Barolo, Piedmont, Italy 2012
• Monte Cillario, Casa Erbisti, Amarone della Valpolicella, Veneto, Italy 2013
• Sartori di Verona, Corte Brà, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico, Veneto, Italy 2010

See the full list of results for the 2017 Decanter Asia Wine Awards

17 DAWA 2017 winning wines will be showcased at Decanter's Shanghai Fine Wine Encounter on 18 November 2017.

On Saturday 18 November, over 1,000 wine lovers will come together to explore the world’s major wine regions at Decanter’s Shanghai Fine Wine Encounter at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Pudong.

In addition to the 600 wines attendees will be able to taste, they will also have the opportunity to try have 17 top winning wines from this year’s Decanter Asia Wine Awards (DAWA).

All 17 winning wines available to taste on the day have earned either a gold medal or above, including:

•  Rossovermiglio, Aglianico, Sannio, Campania, Italy, 2015 – Platinum Best in Show (PBiS) – Best Red Italian Varietals
• Craggy Range, Te Muna Road Vineyard Pinot Noir, Martinborough, Wairarapa, New Zealand, 2015 – PBiS – Best Pinot Noir
• Excellence de Belliard, Margaux, Bordeaux, France, 2015 – Platinum Best Bordeaux Left Bank

The other 14 wines which will be featured come from Spain, Germany, Australia, China, Chile and the USA. For the full list of wines available click HERE.

See full DAWA 2017 results

Over 40 award-winning wines from DAWA 2017 will be presented at ProWine China Shanghai this year.

Decanter will showcase 38 DAWA 2017 winning wines at ProWine China in Shanghai on 14-16 November 2017. Visitors will have the chance to taste a selection of winners from around the world at Decanter’s stand (5BF30) at China’s leading wine fair.

Download the full list of wines showcased at the Decanter stand here. 

On another note, seven wines will be presented in a masterclass on 14 November by DAWA judge and vice-chair Li Demei. The selection of wines from DAWA 2017 will include:

• Leeuwin Estate, Art Series Chardonnay, Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia 2014
• Li’s, Family Treasures Shiraz, Ningxia, China 2015
• Grace Vineyard, Tasya’s Reserve Marselan, Shanxi, China 2015
• Bodega Norton, Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza, Argentina 2015
• Bodega Norton, Privada, Mendoza, Argentina 2015
• Tyrrell’s Wines, Vat 8 Shiraz-Cabernet, Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia 2014
• Condado de Haza, Alenza, Ribera del Duero Gran Reserva, Mainland Spain, Spain 2006

See full results of DAWA 2017 winners here

Decanter hosted a Masterclass of Australian gold medal winning wines from the Decanter Asia and World Wine Awards in Macau yesterday (4 September).

Decanter hosted a sell-out masterclass on 4 September with Gerard Basset MS MW in Macau.

The masterclass titled Discover the diversity of Australia focused on winning wines from both the 2016 Decanter Asia Wine Awards (DAWA) and the 2017 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA).

Gerard who judges regularly at both Decanter’s competitions guided 50 wine lovers through 7 Australian gold winning wines.

The wines tasted were:

• Grant Burge, Filsell Old Vine Shiraz, Barossa, South Australia, Australia 2014
• Taylors, Shiraz, Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia 2015
• McWilliam’s, Syrah, Canberra District, New South Wales, Australia 2014
• Bird in Hand, Nest Egg Cabernet Sauvignon, Adelaide Hills, South Australia 2013
• Penfolds, Yattarna Bin 144 Chardonnay, Cross-Regional Blend, Australia 2014
• Yalumba, Viognier, Eden Valley, South Australia, Australia 2016
• Morris, Old Premium Rare Liqueur Topaque, Rutherglen, Victoria, Australia

Search Decanter World Wine Awards gold medal winners here

Search Decanter Asia Wine Awards gold medal winners here

Decanter has organised a Masterclass in Beijing to showcase five Decanter Asia Wine Awards 2016 Gold Medal winners at this year’s TopWine China wine fair.

Over 100 Chinese wine professionals attended the masterclass, hosted by Denis Lin, a wine and food journalist and Decanter Asia Wine Awards (DAWA) judge.

Wines tasted in the session included one Australian sparkling, three red wines from New Zealand, Spain and the USA, and one ice wine from China.

‘I was very happy and honoured to host this masterclass of DAWA Gold winners,’ Denis Lin told DecanterChina.com.

‘The audience were eager to learn more wine knowledge, and they were curious about the judging of the Decanter Gold winners.

‘The wines we introduced consisted of different types, countries and grape varieties, which gave the audience a good understanding of the judging criteria and standard of the Decanter Awards. This helped people to be more confident of the strictness, fairness and professionalism of the competition.’

Decanter Asia Wine Awards was launched six years ago with the sole purpose of bringing the world’s finest wines to the attention of Asia’s rapidly growing number of wine lovers.

Wines entering the competition are rigorously blind tasted by more than 40 of Asia’s most influential and expert wine palates. The judging panel is led by DAWA chair Steven Spurrier, and vice-chairs Ch’ng Poh Tiong, Gerard Basset MS MW OBE, Andrew Jefford, Shinya Tasaki, Michael Hill-Smith and Li Demei.

The Chinese Gold winner, Heilongjiang Luyuan Winery’s Château Fenhe Ice Wine 2014 vintage attracted much attention and received praise from the audience.

Wen Hui, the winery’s spokesperson, said, ‘We were grateful to have this opportunity to showcase our ice wine. Winning a Gold Medal in a world-class wine competition shows the recognition of Chinese ice wine. We hope to gain more development opportunities through these kind of events.’

Decanter also offered tastings of these award-winning wines at its stand to all attendees at TopWine China 2017.

‘I was glad to visit the Decanter stand at TopWine China and taste the well-selected high quality wines.’ LI Xinbang, technical director of EuroCellar (Beijing) Wine Technology Co. Ltd said.

‘The Arras sparkling from Australia, the Cabernet Sauvignon of Cakebread Cellars from Napa Valley and the Château Fenhe Ice Wine were very impressive.’

See the list of wines available in TopWine China here. 

Decanter Asia Wine Awards 2017 is now open for entries. The judging week will take place in Hong Kong in early September. For more information, please visit the Decanter Asia Wine Awards homepage www.decanter.com/decanter-awards/decanter-asia-wine-awards/.

A selection of Decanter Asia Wine Awards 2016 award-winners are available to taste at China’s leading wine fair

Decanter are presenting 19 DAWA 2016 award-winning wines at ProWine Asia in Hong Kong from 8-11 May 2017.

Grace, Château de Tracy, Wild South and Château Rongzi are amongst the top DAWA 2016 award-winners on display at Decanter’s stand (5D-300). See here for the full list of wines showcased at ProWine Asia.

One of the many benefits of entering the Decanter Asia Wine Awards is Decanter’s ability to leverage partnerships and promotions in Asia in order to get your wine tasted by key influencers in the market.

For the first time, Decanter will be accepting entries for the Decanter Asia Wine Awards 2017 at the Decanter stand until 12pm on Thursday, 11 May. For more information on hand delivery at ProWine Asia, Hong Kong please click here.

Search full DAWA 2016 results

See highlights of Decanter's first consumer tasting in South Korea of medal winning wines from the Decanter Asia Wine Awards (DAWA). The tasting was held on 5 December, in partnership with Mashija Magazine.

Related DAWA 2016 content on Decanter.com:

• Find out where to taste award winning wines near you in Asia
• See all Platinum Best in Show medals
• See all Platinum medals
• See all Gold medals

The First DAWA Tasting in Seoul

Decanter Magazine successfully held the Decanter Asia Wine Awards (DAWA) tasting at the JW Marriot Dongdaemun in Seoul on Dec 5th. This was the first DAWA tasting to take place in Korea and was hosted by Mashija Magazine in partnership with Decanter.

The tasting was intended for professionals working in the Korean wine industry and Korean wine lovers at large. More than 170 guests attended the event and enjoyed the opportunity to taste 41 selections from the award-winning wines of DAWA 2016. The 41 wines presented included 7 best in shows and 4 gold medals.

To kick off the event was the opening ceremony and commencement speech delivered by Moonsong Bang, president of Mashija Magazine, followed by Sally Cheng’s presentation. Cheng’s presentation underlined how impressed and delighted she was by the turnout and celebrated the success of the inaugural DAWA tasting in Seoul. The diverse group of guests who attended the event included wine lovers, sommeliers, restaurant and bar owners, and embassy representatives based in Korea.

Now one of the biggest wine competitions in Asia, DAWA started in 2012 in Hong Kong. The award draws on the success of its parent event DWWA, and employs a similar judging system. DAWA seeks to introduce to consumers and professionals alike high quality wines that are available in the Asian market but have yet to gain proper exposure.

Meanwhile DAWA is now one of the most famous and influential wine competitions in the world, taking place annually in Hong Kong led by Steven Spurrier, chairman of DAWA. Every year 50 of the world’s most distinguished wine experts are invited to oversee the event as members of the panel. Moonsong Bang joined the awards as a wine expert representing Korea in 2012.

As official sponsors of the event, Duval-Leroy offered welcome champagne and Riedel provided the champagne glasses for the DAWA tasting in Seoul.

See full list of wine showcased at the event here.

Search full DAWA 2016 results here

Visitors enjoyed 41 DAWA winning wines at the event which took place at the 5* JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Hotel, Seoul.

Decanter would like to thank Mashija Magazine for helping us to put on this tasting.

Decanter presents a selection of award-winning wines at ProWine China in Shanghai on 7-9 November 2016

Decanter showcased 41 DAWA 2016 winning wines at ProWine China in Shanghai, China this year. Visitors had the opportunity to taste a selection of winning wines from around the world at Decanter’s stand (7BB30) at China’s leading wine fair.

In addition, Decanter hosted a masterclass on 7 November with DAWA judge Guo Ying, who guided 80 attendees through 6 top winning wines she personally selected from the DAWA 2016, including:

• Streicker, Jade Series Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon, Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia 2015 (Bronze, 88 points)
• Tiansai Vineyards, Skyline of Gobi Selection Chardonnay, Yanqi, Xinjiang, China 2015 (Bronze, 87 points)
• Akarua, Rua Pinot Noir, Central Otago, New Zealand 2015 (Bronze, 89 points)
• Cair, Ribera del Duero, Spain 2010 (Gold, 95 points)
• Podere Brizio, Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy 2011 (Silver, 91 points)
• Trapiche, Terroir Series Finca Ambrosia Malbec, Gualtallary, Tupungato, Mendoza, Argentina 2012 (Gold, 95 points)

Search full DAWA 2016 results

Guo Ying, DAWA judge, introduced six Decanter Asia Wine Awards winners in Beijing during the ‘Explore award-winning wines with Decanter’ masterclass on Thursday 16 June 2016 at TopWine China.

TopWine China is a key event for international as well as national wine industry to capitalise on the sustained growth and potential of China. The country’s demand for wine is expected to become the highest in the world by 2020.

The masterclass was attended by over 100 visitors and the DAWA winning wines available to taste at the masterclass were:

• Skoff Original, Royal Sauvignon Blanc, Südsteiermark, Steiermark, Austria 2013 
• Mar de Frades, Albariño, Rías Baixas, Mainland Spain, Spain 2014
•  Sandalford, Estate Reserve Chardonnay, Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia 2014
• Craggy Range, Syrah, Gimblett Gravels, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand 2011
• Kanaan Winery, Pretty Pony, Ningxia, China 2013
•  Borgogno, Cannubi, Barolo, Piedmont, Italy 2010

The Decanter Asia Wine Awards (DAWA) aims to provide consumers with a trusted source of wine recommendations. All wines are judged blind in the best possible tasting environment and each wine is discussed on an individual basis by our professional judging panel, consisting of the top wine experts from the Asia market. The judging panel is led by DAWA chair Steven Spurrier, and vice-chairs Ch’ng Poh Tiong, Gerard Basset MS MW, Andrew Jefford, Shinya Tasaki, and Li Demei.

Search all DAWA 2015 results

Enter the DAWA 2016 competition

Decanter showcased a selection of Decanter Asia Wine Awards winning wines to trade visitors at Vinexpo Hong Kong on 24-26 May 2016.

At Vinexpo Hong Kong 2016, Decanter presented over 20 medal-winning wines from the Decanter Asia Wine Awards. The wine trade show that take place in Hong Kong in alternate years attracted over 17,000 visitors from the Asia-Pacific region, including local visitors and those from Mainland China and Macau.

Aside from tasting these award-winning wines, visitors had the chance to meet Decanter’s content director John Stimpfig and DecanterChina.com web editor Sylvia Wu. A special tasting of DAWA winning wines from Languedoc-Rousillon was also conducted at the stand.

See the list of wines presented at the Decanter stand here

Search full DAWA 2015 results here

Decanter steps foot in Singapore for the first time to present award winning wines from the Decanter Asia Wine Awards (DAWA).

A selection of medal winning DAWA wines were showcased at the first Decanter tasting in Singapore, hosted at ProWine Asia (12-15 April), which attracted thousands of visitors in the wine trade from Southeast Asia.

Our showcase at the Decanter stand included wines from Australia, Canada, France, Italy, and New Zealand

See our tasting catalogue here

Alongside the Decanter stand, DAWA vice-chair Ch’ng Poh Tiong hosted a masterclass on 12 April to introduce six trophy winners from last year’s competition.

He also presented these wines, including a silver medallist from Bauget-Jouette, to 30 wine lovers at an exclusive dinner at the Yan Restaurant located at the National Gallery Singapore.

Read Ch’ng Poh Tiong’s report below.

Decanter masterclass at ProWine Asia 2016

The inaugural ProWine Asia held in Singapore between 12 and 15 April 2016 provided the ideal platform to showcase some of last year’s Decanter Asia Wine Awards 2015 regional and international trophy winners.

• See all DAWA 2015 international trophy winners
• See all DAWA 2015 regional trophy winners

It was a full-house at the masterclass which, as a vice-chair of DAWA, I was privileged to lead.

The wines acquitted themselves admirably, expressing quintessential characteristics of their varietals, regions and terroirs.

Piper-Heidsieck, Rare Brut, Champagne, France 2002 is comprised of 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir. The Sparkling International Trophy is the prestige cuvée of the Reims-based house. Interestingly, not just the Pinot Noir but the Chardonnay is also from the northerly Montagne de Reims, not the Cote des Blancs. Aged seven years on lees before disgorgement, the extra bottle age has produced a complex fruit that is smoky, appley and with a whiff of honey. Full-bodied and with lots of vigour and energy.

Hunter Semillons are picked early to retain added freshness so that the wines age for a very long time. Our White Single-Varietal International Trophy is Tempus Two, Copper Zenith Semillon, Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia 2007. The relatively low 11 per cent alcohol further enhances the purity of the minerally, citrus zesty fruit that has a hint of ginseng and lanolin. In fact, the vivacity and personality of the wine is easy to mistake for a Loire Valley Vouvray.

Roero, north of Alba (land of the fabled white truffle), is considered the best terroir for Arneis. When unoaked, as is the case here, the varietal combines forward fruit but with freshness to frame and sculpt that delicious exuberance. Tenuta Carretta, Cayega, Roero Arneis, Piedmont, Italy 2014 is the White Piedmont Regional Trophy. The finished wine spent six months on lees in stainless steel vats in order to draw out more complexity and flavour. The fruit has tropical notes, including pineapple. The vinosity is nicely checked by freshness.

Santolin, Individual Vineyard Chardonnay, Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia 2013 is the well-deserved Chardonnay International Trophy of DAWA 2015. Hand-picked, the grapes were whole bunch pressed with the juice going straight into new (but just 20%) and used French oak barrels for the fermentation by native, wild yeast. There was no fining and only a single filtration before the wine was bottled following 10 months in oak. The result is an elegant, restrained Chardonnay with flinty, minerally and vanillin fruit.

Kanaan Winery, Pretty Pony, Ningxia, China 2013 is the Asia Red Regional Trophy. The family-owned vineyard impresses with the fact that the owner is also the winemaker. Wang Fang, better known as Crazy Fang, returned to China in 2011 after having lived abroad for a decade. Wang founded Kanaan Winery and although a talented winemaker in her own right, also credits her father – a pioneer of Chinese wine — for imparting his extensive wine knowledge to her. The blend is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot. The fruit is very vibrant and includes green capsicums, blackberries and smoky oak. The crisp tannins and freshness makes this a wine best enjoyed with food. Decant about 30 minutes.

The Garces Silva Family planted their first vineyards in 1999 and produced their inaugural wine four years later. In little more than a decade, their Amayna, Syrah, Leyda Valley,

San Antonio, Chile 2013 has now garnered the 2015 DAWA’s Chilean Red Rhone Varietal Regional Trophy. The fruit was hand harvested and fermented at a very low 7 degrees Celsius for seven days in stainless steel tank. Aged 14 months in French oak, 60 per cent of which is new, this Chilean Syrah is gushing with ripe cherry/blackcurranty fruit The tannins are just as ripe and smooth. Enjoyable now, it will continue to evolve and improve into the next five years and beyond.

Author: Ch’ng Poh Tiong

Search all DAWA 2015 results here

DAWA 2015 winners were presented at AWSEC's annual dinner in Hong Kong on 13 December 2015

Decanter presented a selection of Decanter award-winning wines at the cocktail reception of Asia Wine Service and Education’s (AWSEC) annual dinner in Hong Kong on 13 December 2015. AWSEC is Asia’s leading education provider, and the tasting was attended by wine professionals, educators, and wine lovers in Hong Kong.

Guests had the chance to taste wines from France, South Africa, New Zealand, Italy, Spain, and China:

• Gremillet, Séléction Brut, Champagne, France NV
• Charles De Cazanove, Tradition Brut Premier Cru, Champagne, France NV
• Château de Belcier, Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux, France 2012
• Château Ramage La Batisse, Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, France 2012
• Château Hourtin-Ducasse, Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, France 2011
• Boschendal, Brut Rosé, Coastal Region, South Africa NV
• Wildekrans, Chenin Blanc Barrel Select Reserve, Bot River, Walker Bay, South Africa 2014
• Bellingham, The Bernard Series Old Vine Chenin Blanc, Coastal Region, South Africa 2014
• Ômina Romana, Chardonnay, Lazio, Italy 2013
• Ômina Romana, Diana Nemorensis I, Lazio, Italy 2011
• Ômina Romana, Cabernet Sauvignon, Lazio, Italy 2011
• La Casetta Di Rossi Stefania, Muraccio, Tuscany, Italy 2011
• Colline San Biagio, Sancti Blasii, Carmignano Rosso, Tuscany, Italy 2010
• Gianni Galiardo, Barolo, Piedmont, Italy 2010
• Il Falchetto, Tenuta del Fant, Moscato d’Asti, Piedmont, Italy 2014
• Greystone, The Brothers’ Reserve Pinot Noir, Waipara, Canterbury, New Zealand 2013
• Sileni, Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand 2015
• Pavina, Tempranillo-Pinot Noir, Castilla y Léon, Spain 2013
• Heilongjiang Luyuan, Fenhe Château Ice Wine, China 2012

Date: 13 December 2015

Time: 6 – 7:30pm

Dress code: Black-tie attire

Venue: The Ballroom, Gordis, Hong Kong

Search DAWA 2015 results here

Decanter has presented a selection of award-winning wines at our stand at ProWine China in Shanghai on 11-13 November 2015

Decanter showcased DWWA and DAWA 2015 winning wines at ProWine China in Shanghai, China on 11-13 November 2015. Visitors tasted a selection of winning wines from around the world at Decanter’s stand (6BF01) at China’s leading wine fair.

See the full list of wines showcased at ProWine China here. 

In addition, Decanter has hosted a masterclass on 11 November with DAWA judge Guo Ying, who led 80 attendees through 6 top winning wines from the DAWA 2015.

“Discover award-winning wines from around the world with Decanter” masterclass

Speaker: Guo Ying

Date: 11 November 2015

Time: 14:15-15:45

Venue: M33, Mezzanine floor, Hall E6, ProWine China

Wines tasted at the masterclass:

• Vidal, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand 2015 (Sauvignon Blanc international trophy)
• Streicker, Jade Series Chardonnay, Margaret River, Western Australia 2013 (Gold medal)
• La Rioja Alta, 904 Gran Reserva, Rioja, Spain 2005 (Rioja Gran Reserva regional trophy)
• Kanaan Winery, Pretty Pony, Ningxia, China 2013 (Asia Red regional trophy)
• Lavau, Le Carré, Côtes du Rhône Villages Valréas, Rhône, France 2012 (Red Rhône Varietals international trophy)
• Finca Sophenia, E.S. Vino Reserve Malbec , Gualtallary, Tupungato, Mendoza, Argentina 2014 (Gold medal)

Search full DAWA 2015 results

Search full DWWA 2015 results

Discover DAWA 2015 winning wines at Wine & Dine Festival in Hong Kong on 24 October 2015.

Wine lovers visiting the Wine & Dine Festival in Hong Kong will have the chance to taste DAWA 2015 winning wines on Saturday 24 October 2015. Organised by Riedel, DAWA winners will be featured at Riedel’s Wine Glass Tasting at their Grand Tasting Pavillion. Each masterclass will feature a Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Shiraz from the New World, which have all won an award in this year’s DAWA 2015 and available to purchase at Watson’s Wine in Hong Kong.

• Spy Valley, Pinot Noir, Marlborough, New Zealand 2013
• Saint Clair Family Estate, Pioneer Block 15 Strip Block Pinot Noir, Waihopai Valley, Marlborough, New Zealand 2013
• DeBortoli, Estate Grown Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia 2014
• Katnook Estate, Odyssey Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra, South Australia 2010
• Katnook Estate, Prodigy Shiraz, Coonawarra, South Australia 2010

These winning wines will also be served at Riedel’s bar at the festival for visitors to enjoy.

Date: 24 October 2015

Location: Wine & Dine Festival. Central Harbourfront, Hong Kong

Admission: HK$30 per person, available at the door.

If you’d like to sample more award-winning wines, DAWA 2015 winners will also be presented at Watson’s Wine Week in Hong Kong on 28 October 2015. Click here for more details.

Search all DAWA 2015 results

A special tasting of Decanter Asia Wine Awards 2015 winners will take place at the Institute of Tourism Studies restaurant in Macau on 16 October 2015 at 6-8pm.

Guests at “The Magnificent Chefs of Macau”, taking place on Friday 16 October 2015, will have the chance to taste winning wines from the Decanter Asia Wine Awards 2015. The wines are specially selected at the judging of the competition in early September 2015, to show support towards development and learning within the wine trade in Asia. Decanter is also sponsoring two scholarships at the Institute to award academic excellence and encourage wine studies, which is named the ‘Decanter Scholarship’.

Winning wines showcased at the tasting are:

• Louis de Sacy, Cuvée Inédite Blanc De Blancs Brut, Champagne, France NV (Bronze)
• Vollereaux, Rosé De Saignée Brut, Champagne, France NV (Commended)
• Prévoteau-Perrier, Brut Rosé, Champagne, France NV (Commended)
• Charles Heidsieck, Rosé Reserve Brut, Champagne, France NV (Bronze)
• Vollereaux, Demi-Sec, Champagne, France NV (Commended)
• Spy Valley, Riesling, Marlborough, New Zealand 2013 (Silver)
• Spy Valley, Gewürztraminer, Marlborough, New Zealand 2013 (Silver)
• 90 Plus, Pacifica Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand 2015 (Commended)
• Forrest, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand 2014 (Bronze)
• Kaikoura Sounds, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand 2014 (Commended)
• Cirro, Sauvignon Blanc, Wairau Valley, Marlborough, New Zealand 2015 (Silver)
• Kono, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand 2015 (Commended)
• Kimura Cellars, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand 2015 (Commended)
• Stoneleigh, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand 2015 (Commended)
• Sileni, The Straits Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand 2014 (Bronze)
• Oyster Bay, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand 2015 (Bronze)
• Villa Maria, Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand 2015 (Bronze)
• Brancott Estate, Letter Series B Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand 2015 (Commended)
• Hercules Paragon, Sauvignon Blanc, Western Cape, South Africa 2014 (Commended)
• Escapades, Sauvignon Blanc, Coastal Region, South Africa 2015 (Commended)
• Asara, Vineyard Collection Sauvignon Blanc, Stellenbosch, South Africa 2015 (Commended)
• Escapades, Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc, Western Cape, South Africa 2014 (Commended)
• Boschendal, Rachelsfontein Chenin Blanc, Coastal Region, South Africa 2015 (Bronze)
• KWV, Cathedral Cellar Chenin Blanc, Western Cape, South Africa 2014 (Bronze)
• Vondeling, Babiana, Voor Paardeberg, Paarl, South Africa 2014 (Silver)
• Escapades, Pinotage Rosé, Coastal Region, South Africa 2014 (Commended)
• Kaikoura Bay, Pinot Noir, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand 2014 (Commended)
• Sileni, The Plateau Pinot Noir, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand 2014 (Commended)
• Paddy Borthwick, Pinot Noir, Wairarapa, New Zealand 2014 (Bronze)
• Te Kairanga, John Martin Pinot Noir, Martinborough, Wairarapa, New Zealand 2013 (Bronze)
• Jackson Estate, Vintage Widow Pinot Noir, Marlborough, New Zealand 2012 (Bronze)
• Whitehaven, Pinot Noir, Marlborough, New Zealand 2012 (Commended)
• Babich, Winemakers’ Reserve Pinot Noir, Marlborough, New Zealand 2013 (Commended)
• Ara, Select Blocks Pinot Noir, Marlborough, New Zealand 2012 (Commended)
• Pask, Gimblett Road Cabernet-Merlot-Malbec, Gimblett Gravels, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand 2013 (Silver)
• Soljans Estate, Tribute Merlot-Malbec, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand 2013 (Bronze)
• Yuan Run, Merlot, Ningxia, China 2013 (Commended)
• Greatwall, Merlot, Ningxia, China 2013 (Silver)
• Château Hogan, Leirenshou, Ningxia, China 2013 (Commended)
• Château Leirenshou, Lux Regis R6, Ningxia, China 2012 (Commended)
• Greatwall, 3 Star Cabernet Sauvignon, Zhangjiakou, Hebei, China 2012 (Bronze)
• Hansen Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon, Ningxia, China 2013 (Bronze)
• Hansen Winery, Helan Shan Donglu, Ningxia, China 2013 (Bronze)
• Château Yuquan of Xixiaking, Luxury Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Ningxia, China 2012 (Silver)
• Yuan Run, Cabernet Sauvignon, Ningxia, China 2013 (Bronze)
• Legacy Peak, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Ningxia, China 2013 (Bronze)
• Kanaan Winery, Crazy Fang, Ningxia, China 2011 (Bronze)
• Château Rongzi, Etiquette Jaune, Shanxi, China 2013 (Bronze)
• Shangri-La, Altiwine A3, Yunnan Plateau, China 2013 (Bronze)
• Château Pushang, Marselan Dry Red Wine, Ningxia, China 2013 (Silver)
• Ho-Lan Soul, Organic Syrah, Ningxia, China 2012 (Bronze)
• Yuan Run, Fu Gui Series Syrah, Ningxia, China 2013 (Bronze)
• Franschhoek Vineyards, Shiraz, Franschoek, South Africa 2013 (Bronze)
• Boschendal, Syrah Reserve Collection, Coastal Region, South Africa 2013 (Bronze)
• Wildekrans, Cape Blend Barrel Select Reserve, Bot River, Walker Bay, South Africa 2013 (Commended)
• Wildekrans, Pinotage Barrel Select Reserve, Bot River, Walker Bay, South Africa 2013 (Bronze)
• KWV, Cathedral Cellar Pinotage, Western Cape, South Africa 2013 (Commended)
• Rockburn, Tigermoth Riesling, Central Otago, New Zealand 2014 (Bronze)
• Marisco, The Ned Noble Sauvignon Blanc, Waihopai Valley, Marlborough, New Zealand 2014 (Silver)
• Marisco, The King’s A Sticky End Noble Sauvignon Blanc, Waihopai Valley, Marlborough, New Zealand 2014 (Silver)

The DAWA tasting will be followed by a dinner where guests will sample food prepared by top Chefs in Macau, including Altira, City of Dreams, Conrad, Galaxy, Manadarin Oriental, Ritz Carlton, Starworld and Studio City.

A selection of DAWA 2015 winners will be revealed for the first time after the results announcement on 5 October at the Telford Annual Wine Fair in Hong Kong on 8 October 2015.

Telford, wine and beverage distributor in Hong Kong will be hosting its Annual Wine Fair on 8 October. Their event will feature over 100 wines from around the world, where 8 wining wines from this year’s Decanter Asia Wine Awards in their portfolio will be highlighted at their event.

The 8 DAWA 2015 winning wines you can taste are:

• Leasingham, Classic Clare Watervale Riesling, Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia 2009 (Bronze)
• Bottega, Il Vino dei Poeti Gold, Prosecco Treviso, Veneto, Italy 2014 (Bronze)
• Eufloria, Aromatic White Blend, Washington State, USA 2013 (Bronze)
• Rainstorm, Pinot Noir, Oregon, USA 2012 (Bronze)
• Viña Maipo, Vitral Syrah, Maipó Valley, Chile 2014 (Bronze)
• Viña Maipo, Vitral Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Valley, Chile 2014 (Bronze)
• Santa Carolina, Reserva de Familia Cabernet Sauvignon, Maipó Valley, Chile 2012 (Commended)
• Santa Carolina, Reserva de Familia Carménère, Rapel, Chile 2012 (Bronze)

Full DAWA 2015 results will be available on Decanter.com on 5 October 2015.

Event date: 8 October, 2015

Location: Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel, Tsim Sha Tsui

Wine tasting: 6-9pm, HK$200 per person (Receive a free bottle of wine if you RSVP before 1 October)

Masterclass: 3-5pm, HK$400 per person (Special price of HK$600 for 2 pax)

VIP wine dinner: 7:30–10:00 pm, HK$788 net per person (Special price of HK$1,500 for 2 pax)

Ticket pass for all events: HK$ 1,188 per person (incl. entry to tasting, masterclass, and wine dinner)

To book your ticket, contact Gerard Leung (gerard_leung@telford.com.hk; +852 2315 2574) or Ray Lau (ray_lau@telford.com.hk; +852 2315 6591)

Find out where to taste DAWA winning wines at our series of tastings in Asia

The Decanter Asia Wine Awards (DAWA) aims to provide consumers with a trusted source of wine recommendations. All wines are judged blind in the best possible tasting environment and each wine is discussed on an individual basis by our professional judging panel, consisting of the top wine experts from the Asia market. The judging panel is led by DAWA chair Steven Spurrier, and vice-chairs Ch’ng Poh Tiong, Gerard Basset MS MW, Andrew Jefford, Shinya Tasaki, and Li Demei.

Decanter organises a series of tasting events throughout the year with key partners in the Asia market to promote DAWA winning wines. Find a tasting near you to sample medal winners from the DAWA.

Australian Gold medal tasting in Macau – highlights

DAWA Gold Winners featured in Masterclass at TopWine China 2017

DAWA 2016 award-winners showcased at ProWine Asia, Hong Kong

Gallery: Decanter’s first DAWA Tasting in South Korea hosted by Mashija Magazine

See highlights here...

DAWA 2016 winners showcase at Prowine China 2016 in Shanghai

TopWine China: DAWA masterclass

DAWA tasting at Vinexpo Hong Kong 2016

First Decanter tasting in Singapore – highlights

See tasting highlights from our first event in Singapore.

DAWA tasting with AWSEC in Hong Kong on 13 December 2015

Decanter tasting at ProWine China 2015 in Shanghai

Taste DAWA 2015 winning wines at Wine & Dine Festival, Hong Kong

DAWA tasting at “The Magnificent Chefs in Macau”

DAWA 2015 winners at Telford Annual Wine Fair

DAWA 2014 winners at Aussino World Wines Festival

DAWA 2014 winning wines will be showcased at Aussino's World Wines Festival 2015 in Nanning, China

Taste 10 award-winning wines from the Decanter Asia Wine Awards 2014 at Aussino’s World Wines Festival on 30 August 2015 in Nanning, China.

DAWA 2014 winners you can taste at the event are:

• Finca el Origen, Gran Reserva Malbec, Tunuyán, Mendoza, Argentina 2012
• La Motte, Chardonnay, Franschoek, South Africa 2012
• La Mascota, Cabernet Sauvignon, Maipú, Mendoza, Argentina 2012
• Ninquén, Antu Cabernet Sauvignon-Carmenère, Colchagua, Chile 2013
• Rockburn, Pinot Noir, Central Otago, New Zealand 2012
• Saint Clair, Reserve Pinot Noir, Omaka, Marlborough, New Zealand 2012
• Saint Clair, Premium Pinot Noir, Marlborough, New Zealand 2013
• Santa Carolina , Herencia , Peumo, Rapel, Chile 2009
• Santa Carolina , Reserva de Familia , Maipó Valley, Chile 2012
• Wirra Wirra, RSW, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia 2011

Date: 30 August 2015

Time: 13:30-17:30

Venue: Wanda Vista Nanning,West Wing 5 & 8, Qingxiu Wanda Plaza,118 Dongge Road, Nanning, Guangxi, China

Click here for more information

The DAWA is Asia’s largest wine competition and aims to provide a trusted source of wine recommendations to wine lovers in Asia. Wines are organised for blind tasting by country, region, colour, grape, style, and vintage in the competition, to ensure that wines are judged in flights against their peers. Search full DAWA 2014 results here.