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The
world's most influential, independent wine competition, the
International Wine Challenge, revealed the winners of the coveted
2008 Champion Trophies at the annual IWC Awards dinner in London on
the 3rd September.
Judged
by over 400 wine experts, the winning wines are an eclectic mix of
old and new world producing regions:
Champion
Sparkling Wine: Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millénaires 1983,
Champagnes P. & C. Heidsieck, France, rrp £125
"On
the palate, the creaminess and impeccable integration reinforces its
graceful development with amazing toasty length." - IWC
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Champion White: Auvigue Pouilly Fuissé Vieilles Vignes 2006,
Maison Auvigue, France, rrp £19.49
"Lemon
gold in colour, with a rich, honeyed nose. It shows apple and citrus
fruit on the palate with vanilla and good balanced acidity with
tremendous finesse and longevity." - IWC
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Champion Red: Wild Earth, Pinot Noir, 2006, New Zealand, rrp £17.58
"This
wine has a beautiful nose, with attractive oak and good Pinot Noir
characteristics. A svelte harmonious palate, very sensuous, with a
great structured finish." - IWC
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Champion Fortified: Harveys Palo Cortado VORS, Spain, rrp £14.99
"Lifted
toffee and apple strudel aromas on the nose. Beautiful fresh mango,
toffee, lemon peel and cedar on the palate." - IWC
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Champion Sweet: (Alois Kracher Trophy): Riesling Auslese
Hattenheimer Hassel 2005, Hans Lang, Germany rrp £12.95
"Amazing
freshness on the palate, with vibrant baked lemons, honey and
raisins. Very ripe, with good balance and great length." - IWC
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Champion Sake: Dewazakura Ichiro 2006, Dewazakura Shuzo Japan
(Dewazakura Shuzo Co. Ltd)
"Fresh
and fragrant. Good umami, grapefruit and lime with cantaloupe. Rich
and well balanced. Long, elegant finish." - IWC
The
high street was a winner in the Great Value Trophy category, picking
up two top awards:
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Champion Great Value White: Tesco's Finest Fiano, Italy, 2007, rrp £5.99
"Clean
fresh lemon aromas lead on to a white peach and spice palate. Simply
gorgeous!" - IWC
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Champion Great Value Rosé: Aldi Spanish Rosé -
Viña Decana Rosado, 2007, rrp £3.29
"An
attractive ripe palate with blackcurrant leafy notes." - IWC
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Champion Great Value Sparkling: Deinhard Lila Brut NV, rrp £6.99
"Fresh,
crisp little number from Germany, made from 100% Riesling. It
displays a mineral zesty verve." - IWC
Marks
& Spencer enjoyed a double success receiving the title of both
Supermarket of the Year and Wine Merchant of the Year.
Andrew
Reed, managing director of the IWC said: "The champion wines
are just that: the champions! To become one, a wine has been selected
from a line up of nearly 10,000 wines in the world's best-known blind
tasting. The great thing about the results is that they are not
influenced by one person; instead, they are the genuine
recommendations of a truly independent set of experienced judges. And
in case you were wondering, this is done without the judges knowing
the prices! The other wonderful thing about the IWC is that it
uncovers wines that lots of drinkers have not heard of and may,
therefore, be nervous of trying. The IWC accreditation means they can
buy these wines safe in the knowledge that they are worth drinking."
The
International Wine Challenge Lifetime Achievement award went to
Michael Broadbent MW, the renowned wine critic, writer and
auctioneer. Broadbent is a preeminent authority on wine-tasting with
a wealth of experience of older vintages, is the author of several
volumes of his own tasting notes and has for very many years had a
regular column in Decanter Magazine.
International
Wine Challenge Personality of the Year went to Mariann Fischer Boel,
the Danish politician who has been specifically involved in the
politics of farming for 14 years. Now currently serving as European
Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, she has brought
the European wine industry into the 21st century. Against huge
opposition, she has persuaded many countries to accept reform and she
has won the award for her success in transforming the European wine industry.
For
more information on the IWC and to see a complete list of all
Champion Trophy wines please visit www.internationalwinechallenge.com
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