Chenin
Blanc 2007, and both the bubblies, Ivy Brut and MDP from the biggest
wine producer of India won the certificates of commendation.
This year
267 Gold, 1,257 Silver and 2,140 Bronze were awarded, making a total
of 3,664 medals, up 14.4% on last year. There is no quota for medals
awarded. No medals have been awarded to Indian wines.
The top three medal
winning nations this year are France (696), Australia (587) and Spain
(381). Australia is gaining ground, picking up an extra 101 medals from
the previous year. Other countries with notable increases were Austria
(up 58%), Canada (up 128%) and the Eastern European Countries of Hungary,
the Czech Republic and Bulgaria and the former Soviet Republic of Georgia.
Wines
were received from 39 countries with Brazil, Denmark , India, Malta ,
Tunisia, Turkey and Ukraine claiming the first awards.
There were 20 Panel
Chairmen, a core group of tasters, responsible for leading their panel
of judges for nine days of the competition. The Panel Chairmen are Masters
of Wine, winemakers and experienced wine writers. They support the five
Co-Chairmen - Charles Metcalfe, Derek Smedley MW, Sam Harrop MW, Tim
Atkin MW and 2008's International Co-Chairman for 2008, Bob Campbell
MW of New Zealand. There are 400 judges.
The International Wine Challenge
was initiated in 1984 by Robert
Joseph who is also the chairman of India Wine Challenge.
Details
of the competition are on company's website.
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