Thu 7 Nov 2013
2013 Results Released
Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition 2013
Results Announced
Australia triumphs with 13 trophies and 32 Gold medals awarded in a record year for the competition
(7 November 2013) Asia’s first and most widely-respected wine and spirit competition, the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine and Spirit Competition (HKIWSC), today released the results of this year’s fifth anniversary Competition. The results were announced at the HKTDC’s Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Fair at Hong Kong’s Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Judges from across Asia flew in to Hong Kong in October to blind taste wines and spirits from over 30 countries including Barbados, Canada, Chile, Dominican Republic, England, India, Japan and Mexico. This year’s star-studded judging panel saw the addition of VIP judges, Australian winemaker Ms. Vanya Cullen, and Burn Stewart’s Master Blender and Head of Distilleries, Mr. Ian MacMillan alongside some of Asia’s top industry figures.
Australia led the medal tally with an astonishing 538 medals overall, following a 19% increase in entries from 2012. The Southern Hemisphere country picked up 5 food and wine pairing trophies as well as 8 other trophies including Best Shiraz for McGuigan’s Hand Made Shiraz 2010 and Best Dessert Wine for De Bortoli Wines, Noble One 2009.
Entering its fifth year, HKIWSC was the first, and still remains the most authentic, wine and spirit competition in Asia. Created by the IWSC Group, Debra Meiburg MW and Simon Tam, the Competition has led the way in showcasing world class wines to the Asian market. The HKIWSC, not only selects the best, most established wines, for the Asian taste preferences, but also aims to introduce some less well-known wines to the Hong Kong market, providing even more choice for the region’s wine lovers.
Debra Meiburg MW, HKIWSC director, commented on the results:
“The quality of this year’s entries was outstanding with a record number of gold medals awarded to some very deserving wines and spirits. Our judges were impressed with both the quality and quantity of entries submitted and were excited to see some really interesting entries including Ancestor Shaokang Liquor 40 YO from China which was awarded a silver medal and Chalong Bay Rum which received a Bronze medal.”
The wines entered into the food and wine matching categories also achieved fantastic results, with a noticeable increase in medals year-on-year. Gold medals doubled, with 15 compared to last year’s 7 and the number of Silver medals tripling from 35 to 118. A Thai wine, Siam Winery Tradings’ Monsoon Valley White Shiraz 2012 was decided by judges as the best match with Pad Thai and was awarded the Best Wine Paired with Pad Thai Trophy.
Austria impressed the judging panel, with a 100% success rate on entries submitted. Hafner Family Estates Hafner Blaufrankisch 2012 performed particularly well with the blind judging panel and was awarded the coveted Best Wine with Peking Duck Trophy.
France once again, performed well in both the wine and spirits categories, winning 12% of all gold medals. Champagne P&C Heidsieck scooped the prestigious Best Sparkling Wine and Best Sparkling Wine below HK$400 trophies for their Piper-Heidsieck Rare 2002 and Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve NV respectively. In addition, Cognac François Voyer won the Best Cognac trophy for their XO Gold François Voyer.
New Zealand also demonstrated its rightful position as one of the world’s leading wine producers, scooping 5 trophies in total, including Best New World Pinot Noir for Cobblestone Vineyards “Te Muna” Pinot Noir 2011 and Best Sauvignon Blanc for Matua’s Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2013, along with 185 medals including 11 coveted Gold medals.
Scotch Whisky achieved huge success in the Spirits category with over double the amount of entries received compared to 2012. The category was awarded by judges with an amazing 15 gold medals and 36 silver medals. Scottish Leader Supreme Deluxe Blend Scotch Whisky, Ardbeg Uigeadail Islay Scotch Whisky and Bunnahabhain Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky 25 YO all picked up coveted Scotch trophies.
Outside of Scotch; Rum impressed the judges, of the four Gold medals awarded in the category; Barbados’ St. Nicholas Abbey Golden Rum received one for the 10 year old and one for the 15 year old.
Allen Gibbons, IWSC group chief executive officer and HKIWSC director commented:
“To see so many countries represented in our results is fantastic; from India to Italy, Mexico to Martinique and Slovenia to Switzerland, our competition truly judges the world’s best selection of wines and spirits to find the perfect match for the Asian market and consumers.”
