Thu 6 Nov 2014

2014 Winners Announced

Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition 2014 Results Announced

Australia Remains the Country to Beat with 12 Trophies and 28 Gold Medals in another Outstanding Year for the Competition

(6 November 2014) Asia’s original and most well-respected wine and spirit competition, the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine and Spirit Competition (HKIWSC), today released the results of the 6^th annual Competition. The results were announced at the HKTDC’s Hong Kong international Wine & Spirits Fair at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Australia had another fantastic year, winning 467 medals in total, and remains the most-awarded country in the competition. Two Australian producers picking up a number of Trophies each were Australian Vintage and Gatt Wines. Gatt Wines won Best Cabernet Sauvignon/Best Cabernet Sauvignon Blend for their Gatt Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 and Australian Vintage were awarded Best Semillon for their Tempus Two Copper Zenith Semillon 2007.

New Zealand also put in a strong performance with many quality products winning gold and silver medals. Highlights included: gold winner Matua Single Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir 2013 and silver winner Ashwood Estate’s Pinot Gris Gisborne 2013.

The Scotch whisky category had another fantastic year, with 50% more gold medals awarded compared to 2013, 23 in total. Burn Stewart Distillers Ltd’s Bunnahabhain Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky 12YO scooped a trophy once again this year, winning the Best Single Malt Scotch Whisky 15 Years and Under.

Australian Rum faired well this year too, with Vok Beverages receiving Best Rum for their Beenleigh Dark Rum 5YO and seven other products were awarded silver medals.

The food and wine matching competition continues to attract a large number of wines and the quality this year was very high. 27% more gold medals were awarded compared to last year in a category which continues to challenge the status quo of which wines are best suited to traditional Asian dishes. This year a sparkling red, Barokes Bubbly Cabernet Shiraz NV, won the trophy for Best Wine With Peking Duck.

Debra Meiburg MW, HKIWSC Director, commented on the results:
“It was fantastic to see more countries participating than ever before, with products entered from over 35 countries. The judges were impressed with the quality of products submitted and especially delighted to see the addition of the Sake category this year. The Trophy winner, Kowa Inc with their Futaributai Junmai Daiginjo, I know will be delighted.”

Countries participating this year included: the Czech Republic, Georgia, Macedonia, Japan and India. For the October judging, judges from all over Asia, flew in to Hong Kong to blind taste the wines and spirits submitted. Joining some of Asia’s top industry figures were the International Guest Judges: Susana Balbo, President of Wines of Argentina, and Ian Millar, Global Brand Ambassador for William Grant and Sons Ltd.

Alongside the now traditional wine, spirit, and food and wine judging, 2014 saw the introduction of a new panel of “kikisake-shis”, sake sommeliers, educators and retailers reflecting the interest in, and strength of, sake in Hong Kong. The panel was headed up by Antony Moss MW, Research and Development Director of the Wine and Spirit Education Trust and a renowned sake expert.

Allen Gibbons, IWSC group chief executive officer and HKIWSC director commented:
“The HKIWSC continues to go from strength to strength as Asia’s leading wine and spirit competition. This year we are particularly excited about our new partnership with Drinks Business Hong Kong who has created a fantastic supplement showcasing this year’s competition and its winners. The competition is judged by some of Asia’s most influential industry professionals whose decisions create a guide for Asia to the world’s finest wines and spirits.”

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About the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition

Now celebrating its sixth year, HKIWSC remains the original and most well-respected wine and spirit competition in Asia. Founded by the IWSC Group, Debra Meiburg MW and Simon Tam, the competition is regarded as the Asian guide to the world’s finest wine and spirits. With its panel of Asian judges, the HKIWSC ensures that, not only are the best wines selected from all across the globe, but that they are suited to Asian taste preferences too.

For all press enquiries please contact: Adam Partridge - adam.partridge@iwscgroup.com +44 (0)203 176 6464

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“Winning a silver medal in the HKIWSC has truly helped my product to achieve international credibility regarding its taste. This has positively affected decision making of several new merchants who now carry my product.”Kaustav BagchiOwner, Lamai Thai Spirits
“Louis Royer Cognac has been entering the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition for many years. This competition is regarded as the most respected in Asian countries. Winning an award is a high honour for our brand and a further seal of quality for our multi-award winning Cognac.”Carol FrugierMarketing and Communications Manager, Louis Royer Cognac
“Adding to our success over the past few years at the HKIWSC, winning a trophy means so much to us as we have just recently entered the Chinese market with our brandies. The Chinese market is unique, which makes it even more exciting to know that Oude Molen VOV Brandy is well accepted.”Kobus GelderblomBrandy Master, Oude Molen Distillery
“It is a great honour for us to receive this award and we are very thankful about the reputation from wine enthusiasts in China. This award is a testament to the fact that our white wines not only match the traditional Austrian food but also matches perfectly with the Asian cuisine.”Katja PflogschWinemaker, Domäne Wachau
“To get recognition from such a prestigious panel is vey rewarding indeed, and proves that our wines are made in a style that is truly food friendly. The HKIWSC has become one of the year’s most well-respected wine competitions globally. For us, the food match component is a fantastic chance to demonstrate how well our wines compliment so many different flavours. Moreover, it is a competition known and valued by our customers so a trophy can be hugely influential.””Susanna MayerWinemaker, Yealings
“Awards and medals at the HKIWSC have been like a stamp of approval to the quality of our wines. Because it is an Asian-focused competition, I know that my wines are being judged and measured by the same yardstick as all the other wines, given our viticultural conditions are quite unique compared with the rest of the world. These medals give me and, more importantly, my consumers the confidence that my wines stand apart from the competition.”Kalash GurnaniWinemaker, York Winery
“We are very proud of our results. One of our key focuses is the Asian market, so we really want to make our wines special and desirable for this market. That’s why we want to enter this competition and be evaluated by the expert judging panel.”Sofia Cajewski Winemaker, Cremaschi Furlotti
“We at Yealands Estate Wines are proud to be recognized by the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition. The organization is held in the highest regard and our success in the competitions has become a strong voice for our quality around the globe.”Avram DeitchGlobal Marketing Manager, Yealands Wine Group
“Winning awards in reputable international wine shows such as the Cathay Pacific HKIWSC is one of the many ways of educating our consumers and giving them confidence in purchasing the Saint Clair brand. This enhances brand perception an in turn increases sales across our entire portfolio of wines.”Maria EastonWinemaker, Saint Clair Family Estate

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