See which wines and wineries have won medals at the Decanter Asia Wine Awards 2015, including the coveted international trophies and regional trophies, plus some surprise winners picked by the team of expert judges.
Quick Link: See all winners in the Decanter Asia Wine Awards 2015
Australia led the field with six of the 15 prestigious internatonal trophies at Decanter Asia Wine Awards 2015 (DAWA 2015). Wines from France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, New Zealand, Argentina and Cyprus also picked up one of the top prizes, show results released today (5 October).
Alongside Cyprus, Canada and China in particular offered fresh evidence that the list of countries capable of producing fine wine has arguably never been longer – and only looks set to grow in the coming years.
Nearly 2,600 wines were blind tasted in Hong Kong by a team of around 40 expert judges for DAWA 2015, the fourth annual version of the wine competition that offers consumers in Asia a guide to some of the best wines available in the region.
The results may mark an important moment in the development of China’s vineyards and wine industry.
Chinese wines tripled their medal haul versus 2014, spearheaded by Ningxia Cabernet Sauvignon and a regional trophy for Kanaan Winery’s Pretty Pony 2013.
Among the international trophy winners at DAWA 2015 were four Australian white wines. Eden Valley Riesling from the higher ground of Barossa saw its reputation continue to emerge from the shadow of the region’s full blooded Shiraz, with Gatt’s High Eden Riesling 2014 vintage winning international trophy for dry Riesling.
That was balanced against victory for a more established area of Australian white wine, with Tempus Two’s Copper Zenith Hunter Valley Semillon, 2007 vintage, winning international trophy for best single varietal white wine.
Streicker’s Jade Series Sauvignon Blanc Semillon blend from Margaret River, 2014, and Santolin’s Individual Vineyard Chardonnay from Yarra Valley, 2013, also scooped international trophies.
Bay of Fires’ Pinot Noir 2014 in screwcap from Tasmania won best Pinot Noir in a highly competitive field, including entries from Burgundy, US and New Zealand.
The other Australian international trophy win was Hardys limited cellar release Rare Muscat, non-vintage, which got international trophy for sweet fortified wine.
France saw two wines make the international trophy list: Piper-Heidsieck’s Rare Brut Champagne from the 2002 vintage – re-inforcing that year’s strong reputation – won best sparkling wine; and Lavau’s Le Carre, Cotes du Rhone Villages 2012 won best Rhone varietals trophy.
One of the surprises of the competition was Cyprus winery Gerolemo winning international trophy for sweet wine with its Commandaria 2007 reinforcing earlier success and emphasising the country’s rising reputation.
Italy also scooped two international trophies, one a 100% Merlot from Tuscany – Conte Ferdinando Guicciardini’s La Historia di Italia 2012, which won the red Bordeaux varietals trophy. The other was Fratelli Ponte’s Barolo 2011, winner of the red Italian varietals trophy.
Portugal stood tall among its Old World peers after Festao’s Big Party 2013, a blend of 50% Castelao, 30% Aragonez and 20% Syrah won the internationl red blend trophy.
Marques de Riscal’s Barón de Chirel Rioja Reserva 2010 won best Spanish varietals trophy. ‘A fantastic wine with plenty of time ahead,’ said judges.
Back to the New World, and Vidal’s Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015 won best international trophy for Sauvignon Blanc for New Zealand.
And Argentina’s Viniterra won best single varietal red wine for its Select Carmenere from Agrelo, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, 2013 vintage.
Judges for DAWA 2015 included some of the best palates in Asia. Professor Li Demei of China, a DecanterChina.com columnist, was joined by writer CH’NG Poh Tiong and Japan’s Shinya Tasaki, a previous winner of world’s best sommlier, as vice chairs.
International experts Gerard Basset OBE MW MS, Andrew Jefford and Michael Hill Smith MW are also vice chairs. Steven Spurrier is awards chairman.
Decanter’s publishing director, Sarah Kemp, thanked all judges for their professionalism and dedication.
‘The Decanter Asia Wine Awards is a benchmark of quality both for producers and for the growing number of fine wine consumers across Asia,’ she said.
‘Judged by Asia’s most experienced and most renowned palates the awards are a guarantee of quality for Asia’s wine consumers,’ she added.
‘Gold medals must mean the wine is the best that it can be,’ DAWA 2015 chairman Steven Spurrier told judges ahead of judging week in Hong Kong in the first week of September.
Quick Links:
- Search all DAWA 2015 results and see tasting notes
- Search all DAWA 2015 results by producer
- Search all DAWA 2015 results by stockist
