The Sake Contributor Award

The judges of the first Sake Contributor Award in association with Sake Samurai Association and the International Wine Challenge are proud to announce that Simon Hofstra of www.Sake.nl fame, is the inaugural winner.

Congratulations to Simon whose commitment to sake is rewarded with an all expenses paid trip to Japan to visit its many and diverse sake brewing regions, to learn more about this exciting beverage.

Through his many journalistic endeavours, his teaching, and his undying commitment to spreading the virtues of this magnificent beverage, Simon has helped to raise the profile of sake throughout Europe. He has a rare passion for sake and is a terrific recipient for this all important award.

Simon is a valued senior judge of the sake category at the International Wine Challenge. We do hope that Simon gets a great deal out of his trip and continues to remain a strong supporter of the International Wine Challenge, so that all can continue to benefit from his first class knowledge on the subject.

Thank you to everyone who entered the competition this year. The standard of entries was very high and is a true testament to the contribution being made to raise the awareness of sake throughout Europe.

2008 Trophy Winners

Of the 267 wines awarded gold medals 90 wines have been elevated from gold medal to trophy status following a further rigorous blind tasting.

Following two weeks of blind tasting to establish the medal rankings, the IWC co-chairmen Tim Atkin MW, Sam Harrop MW, Charles Metcalfe and Derek Smedley MW hosted a separate trophy tasting for their newly appointed panel chairs as well as their senior judges. It was the balance, personality and finesse of these exemplary wines that distinguished them as deserving of an IWC trophy.

A total of 116 trophies were awarded. The majority of wines picked up a single trophy however some extraordinary examples were found to be deserving of a host of awards. Most notably, francophiles will be delighted to hear that a Burgundy has received four trophies whilst on the other side of the earth both the Australians and New Zealanders can rejoice with a Cabernet Sauvignon from Coonawarra and a Pinot Noir from Central Otago also walking away with four trophies a piece:

France has regained the crown for the most trophies which Australia had narrowly snatched from it last year whilst Portugal has made it to third place in the trophy stakes for a third year running. Argentina has recorded its best record to date with six trophies, beating Chile’s very respectable five, amongst them the international trophies for Cabernet Franc and Tannat. The trophy winning wines hail from 16 different countries. The top five are as follows:

Trophies by country 2008: France (20), Australia (18), Portugal (13), Italy (10), Spain (8) & Japan (8 for Sake).

As usual, the IWC has rewarded regional excellence and specificity with trophies for Maipo, Jurançon, Pernand-Vergelesses, Dão and Castilla y León among the regular, more expected winners.

“The judges responded to an even wider range of entries than ever before not only with 35 regional trophies, 26 national trophies, 18 international trophies but also by awarding trophies to all the grapes you can think of – and then some, examples being Aglianico, Fiano and Tannat,” explained IWC co- chairman Charles Metcalfe.

Click here for the complete list of trophy winning wines.

Testimonials

"Customers are very interested in their medal winning wines which is why we highlight all of the IWC medal winners in the price list, on the website and on in-store posters."

Majestic Wine

"One of our Taste the difference wines won a gold medal and trophy for the second year running which shows just how much work goes into working with producers to source the very best. It also demonstrates the consistency in judging that the IWC achieves from one year to the next."

Sainsbury Supermarkets

"We know our customers love awards, as the sales uplift is significant for wines that have received good medals. The IWC is undoubtedly the best-known competition among wine-drinkers in the UK, and winning an award shows clear benefits for both the wine producer and retailer in enhancing sales."

Waitrose

Beaune Clos des Mouches Premier Cru 2005, Chanson Père Et Fils - Champion White, 2007 IWC

"Vintage after vintage Chanson Clos des Mouches, the flagship of our domaine, has gained in quality and popularity and I am only sorry not to be able to fulfil all the demands from wine lovers, particularly after the prestigious endorsement of the IWC."

Gilles de Courcel, President Chanson