Wine Judging at the London Wine Competition
The London Wine Competition is an international wine competition organized by Beverage Trade Network. Recently they announced the top ranked wines selected in the 2021 competition.
Wines are rated with three main criteria in mind: quality, value and package. To be a medal winner, wines must show an overall rating in all the three categories. This year’s competition saw entries from more than 36 countries. 135 different types of grape varietals were entered with the top three being Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.
The top countries to enter were Australia, Italy, Spain, France, Portugal, United States and Moldova. The biggest increase in wines was seen from Moldova.
2015 Anubis Cabernet Sauvignon made by Levrier Wines in Australia won the superlative ‘Wine of the Year’ award.
Wine of the Year – Levrier by Jo Irvine 2015 Anubis Cabernet Sauvignon, Australia
The vineyard sits on the Barossa floor, at an elevation of approximately 850 feet above sea level. According to the official tasting note:
This cabernet is crafted to enhance the rich, dark cherry and cassis fruit, with 40% new French oak, resulting in plush and juicy flavors with an elegant, soft, velvety tannin finish. Extended aging in the bottle before release integrates the unique characters of this premium Cabernet over time. The result is a complex wine that rewards the care and patience invested in creating it.
Jo Irvine, Winemaker, Levrier Wines
· Winery of the Year – Bodegas HABLA (BODEGAS BH S.L.), Spain
· Best Wine by Quality – Levrier by Jo Irvine 2015 Anubis Cabernet Sauvignon, Australia
· Best Wine by Value – Bodegas HABLA (BODEGAS BH S.L.), Habla Nº22, Spain
· Best Wine by Packaging – Silverado Vineyards 2018, Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon, United States
These wines won the Best Wines by Country Award:
· Australia – Levrier by Jo Irvine 2015 Anubis Cabernet Sauvignon
· United States – Silverado Vineyards 2018 Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon
· France – Champagne Philippe Glavier – 2012 Folie d’Cramant
· Spain – Bodegas HABLA (BODEGAS BH S.L.), 2016, Habla Nº22, Tempranillo
· Italy – Carpenè Malvolti ‘1924’ Prosecco di Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Superiore DOCG
· Portugal – Parras Wines, 2019 Quinta do Gradil 1492
· New Zealand – Yealands Wine Group, 2020 Yealands Reserve Sauvignon Blanc
· Greece – Venetsanos Winery, Santorini, 2018 Nykteri
· Austria – Hafner Family Estate, 2016 Hafner Kashmir, Burgenland
· South Africa – Du Toitskloof Wines, 2020 Du Toitskloof Old Vine Sauvignon Blanc
· Moldova, Republic of – Vinaria Purcari, 2019 Rosé de Purcari Sapiens
· Georgia – Château Mukhrani, 2017 Château Mukhrani Qvevri
The top wines for the top seven varietals were:
· Cabernet Sauvignon – Levrier by Jo Irvine, 2015 Anubis Cabernet Sauvignon, Australia
· Shiraz – Mr Riggs Wine Co, 2014, The Chap, Australia
· Tempranillo – Bodegas HABLA (BODEGAS BH S.L.), 2016 Habla Nº22, Spain
· Pinot Noir – Clyde Park Vineyard, 2020 Single Block F College Pinot Noir, Australia
· Zinfandel – CBC BevCo, 2017 Twisted Cedar Zinfandel, United States
· Sauvignon Blanc – Yealands Wine Group, 2020 Yealands Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand
· Riesling – Weingut Karl Schaefer, 2018 Dürkheimer Michelsberg GG Riesling Trocken, Germany
The full list of medal winners can be viewed on the London Wine Competition website. Some of these wines do not have US distribution or will otherwise be hard to find.