HKIWSC 2017 Announces Trophies for 2017 Best Wines & Spirits for Asia

10 November, 2017: (Hong Kong) The 2017 best wines and spirits for the Asian market have been announced at a Gala Awards Ceremony in Hong Kong by the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition (HKIWSC), which saw Thailand triumph, an ever-strong showing by Australia and vast increase in medals for USA, Austria and China.

A feature event at the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair each year, the Awards Ceremony saw 61 trophies presented by Master of Wine Debra Meiburg, HKIWSC Director, to the winning wine and spirit producers from around the world in front of wine industry VIPs, media, international Consul Generals, and other dignitaries.

The hotly contested Asian food and wine pairing trophy results took everyone by surprise, with Asian wines winning seven out of 12 trophies – Thailand claimed four and Japan won three. Australia also took out three trophies in this category, with USA and Germany rounding out the food and wine pairing trophy list with one a piece. The showing was so strong by South East Asian wineries this year that a dedicated trophy category was added to recognize the best of these wines. (Full trophy list below).

[Food & Wine Trophy Highlights – Thailand Trumps]
Asoke Valley Winery was the star of the Thai contingent, picking up three trophies for three of its wines, including: Best Wine with Jiaozi (Pork Dumplings) – awarded to Asoke Valley Winery GranMonte Heritage Syrah Viognier 2014; Best Wine with Braised Pig's Knuckle with Dried Oysters and Sea Moss – awarded to Asoke Valley Winery GranMonte Sakuna Syrah Rosé 2017; and Best Wine from South East Asia – awarded to Asoke Valley Winery GranMonte Verdelho 2017. Siam Winery took the other two food and wine pairing trophies for Thailand.

[Gin]
Gin was a major focus of this year’s competition, with VIP Guest International Judge, Desmond Payne, Master Distiller of Beefeater Gin, and the largest pool of gin entries ever received, up 247% on 2016. As such, two gin trophies were awarded – Best Gin (Kyrö Napue Rye Gin from Finland) and Best London Dry Gin (Southern Wild Distillery Dasher + Fisher Mountain Gin from Australia). It is the second year running Australia has snared a trophy for its top quality gin.

[Australia’s Trophy Highlights]
Australian wines secured six of the 11 coveted Best Varieties trophies, with McWilliam’s Family Wines scoring a double triumph with its Evans & Tate Redbrook range, which picked up trophies for Best Cabernet/Cabernet Blend and Best Chardonnay. Australia Vintage Limited was also a double trophy winner, taking out Best Sauvignon Blanc (Nepenthe Petraea Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2016) and Best Semillon (Tempus Two Copper Zenith Hunter Valley Sémillon 2004). The Tempus Two is a triple trophy winner in this category, claiming the title in 2013, 2014 and 2015 (with different vintages).

[Medal Highlights]
Australia again led the medals charge, topping the leader board with 430 medals, with New Zealand and France tied for second. China gained 51 medals, a significant increase of 39 more than 2016. Austria increased its 2016 medal haul from 29 medals in 2016 to 47 in 2017. USA gained a total of 46 medals, more than doubled its 2016 results.

[Judging Highlights]
A record 49 judges from 11 Asian countries in 2017, offering significant diversity and depth of pan-Asian expertise into the deciding the best beverages for the Asian market. 5 Masters of Wine from Asia, including Sonal Holland MW from India, Ying Hsieh Tan MW from Singapore, Kenichi Ohashi MW from Japan, Sarah Heller, the newest Master of Wine from Hong Kong, as well as Debra Meiburg MW from Hong Kong. VIP International Judge of HKIWSC 2017 includes Johann Fourie, Head Winemaker, Benguela Cove Wine Estate and Mannings Heath Golf & Wine Estate from South Africa, and Desmond Payne, Master Distiller, Beefeater Gin, United Kingdom.

[Entry Highlights]
Approximately 2,000 entries of wines and spirits. 33 countries entered wines and 27 entered spirits, with a 30% increase in spirits entries. Of these, there was a 247% increase in gin entries (largest growth category for spirits by volume). There was a significant increase in French and Asian spirit entries and Chinese Baijiu saw five times the entries compared with 2016.

Full results are available at www.hkiwsc.com. Winning wines are available for tasting at events during the HKIWSF and at Booth 3G-F24. Visit the booth for full events schedule.

[Full Trophy Results]

Trophies	Wine Name	Producer/Company	Country
Wine Varietal Trophies
Best Cabernet/Cabernet Blend	Evans & Tate Redbrook Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2013	McWilliam's Wines Group	Australia
Best Chardonnay	Evans & Tate Redbrook Margaret River Chardonnay 2014	McWilliam's Wines Group	Australia
HKTDC Best Pinot Noir	Wakefield Taylors Family Wines Jaraman Pinot Noir 2016	Wakefield Taylors Family Wines	Australia
Best Sauvignon Blanc	Nepenthe Petraea Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2016	Australian Vintage	Australia
Best Sémillon	Tempus Two Copper Zenith Hunter Valley Sémillon 2004	Australian Vintage	Australia
Best Syrah/Shiraz	Wolf Blass Platinum Shiraz 2010	Wolf Blass Wines	Australia
Best Grüner Veltliner	Weingut Meinhard Forstreiter Grüner Veltliner Ried Kremser Kogl Kremstal DAC 2016	Weingut Meinhard Forstreiter	Austria
Best Riesling	Weingut Baumgartner Riesling Ried Heiligenstein DAC Reserve 2016	Weingut Baumgartner	Austria
Best Indigenous Grape Variety	Kir Yianni Diaporos 2013	Kir Yianni SA	Greece
Best Tempranillo	CVNE Imperial Reserva Rioja DOCa 2012	C.V.N.E	Spain
Best Merlot/Merlot Blends	Cakebread Cellars Merlot 2014	Cakebread Cellars	USA
Best Regional Wines
Best Wine from Argentina	Bodega Navarro Correas Alegoria Gran Reserva Malbec 2013	Bodegas Trapiche SA	Argentina
Best Red Wine from Australia	Wolf Blass Grey Label Shiraz 2014	Wolf Blass Wines	Australia
Best White Wine from Australia	Tahbilk 1927 Vines Marsanne 2010	Tahblik	Australia
Best Wine from Austria	Weingut Jurtschitsch - Riesling Zöbinger Heiligenstein Kamptal DAC Erste Lage 2015	Weingut Jurtschitsch Sonnenhof	Austria
Best Wine from Chile	Vina La Rosa Cornellana Icon 2009	Vina La Rosa SA	Chile
Best Wine From China	CITIC Guoan Niya Berries Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2014	Citic Guoan Wine Industry	China
Best Wine from Eastern Europe	Marcus Rynsky Ryzlink Pozdni Sber 2008	Narodni Vinarske Centrum, o.p.s.	Czech Republic
Crown Wine Cellars Trophy Best Wine From France	Domaine François Carillon Puligny-Montrachet 2014	Domaine François Carillon	France
Best Wine from Germany	VDP.Weingut Bürgerspital Würzburger Riesling 2016	Weingut Buergerspital	Germany
Best Wine from Italy	Marchesi di Barolo - Barolo Cannubi 2013	Cantine dei Marchesi di Barolo	Italy
Best Wine from New Zealand	Cobblestone Vineyards Te Muna Martinborough Pinot Noir 2015	Cobblestone Vineyards	New Zealand
Best Wine from Portugal	Adega de Pegões Alicante Bouschet 2014	Cooperativa Agricola Sto.Isidro de Pegoes CRL	Portugal
Best Wine from South Africa	Babylonstoren Nebukadnesar 2015	Babylonstoren	South Africa
Best Wine From Spain	Bernard Magrez Herencia del Padri Priorat DOCa 2012	Bernard Magrez	Spain
Best Wine from South East Asia	Asoke Valley Winery GranMonte Verdelho 2017	Asoke Valley Winery	Thailand
Best Wine From USA	Castello di Amorosa QUATTRO Cabernet Sauvignon 2012	Castello di Amorosa	USA
Best Style Classes
Best Worldwide Fortified Wine	De Bortoli Old Boys 21 Years Old Tawny NV	De Bortoli Wines	Australia
Best Dessert Wine	Schloss Gobelsburg Eiswein Grüner Veltliner 2016	Weingut Schloss Gobelsburg	Austria
Best Methode Traditionalle Sparkling Wine	Piper-Heidseick Rare 2002	Piper-Heidseick	France
Best Dessert Wine from South East Asia	Hatten Wines Pino De Bali NV	Hatten Wines	Indonesia
SHTM HK PolyU Trophy Best Charmat Method Sparkling Wine	SCAVI&RAY Valdobbiadene DOCG Prosecco Superiore	MBG International Premium Brands GmbH	Italy
Best Sake	Saito Junmai Daiginjo	Asia Euro Wines & Spirits Hong Kong	Japan
Best Rosé Wine	Marisco Vineyards The Ned Pinot Rosé 2017	Marisco Vineyards	New Zealand
Best Asian Food & Wine Pairings
Best Wine with Jiaozi (Pork Dumplings)	Asoke Valley Winery GranMonte Heritage Syrah Viognier 2014	Asoke Valley Winery	Thailand
EAST, Hong Kong Trophy Best Wine with Golden Prawns in Salted Egg Yolk	Château Mercian Nagano Chardonnay 2015	Château Mercian	Japan
Best Wine with Crispy Chicken	VDP.Weingut Domdechant Werner, Hochheimer Riesling Classic 2016	Weingut Domdechant Werner	Germany
Best Wine with Braised Pig's Knuckle with Dried Oysters and Sea Moss	Asoke Valley Winery GranMonte Sakuna Syrah Rosé 2017	Asoke Valley Winery	Thailand
Best Wine with Japanese Sea-Salt Grilled Red Snapper	Château Mercian Mariko Vineyard Rosé 2016	Château Mercian	Japan
Best Wine with Otoro Sushi	Siam Winery Monsoon Valley Colombard 2016	Siam Winery	Thailand
Best Wine with Vegetable Tempura	Pegeric Pinot Noir 2009	Pegeric Wines	Australia
Best Wine with Prawn Vindaloo	Pegeric Pinot Noir Late Picked Sweet Style 2008	Pegeric Wines	Australia
Best Wine with Lo-Hei Yu Sheng (Raw Fish Salad)	Hokkaido Wine Tsurunuma Pinot Blanc 2013	Hokkaido Wine	Japan
Best Wine with Cua Lot Cuon (Soft Shell Crab Rice Rolls)	Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viognier 2016	Pine Ridge Vineyards & Seghesio Family Vineyards	USA
Best Wine with Crispy Thai Fried Fish	Siam Winery Monsoon Valley Chenin Blanc Late Harvest 2017	Siam Winery	Thailand
Best Wine with Ko Mu Yang (Grilled Pork Neck with Spicy Tamarind Sauce)	Shottesbrooke Estate Series McLaren Vale GSM 2015	Shottesbrooke Vineyards	Australia
Best Spirits
Best Grape Brandy	St Agnes XO 15 Year Old	Angove Family Winemakers	Australia
Best London Dry Gin	Southern Wild Distillery Dasher + Fisher Mountain Gin	Southern Wild Distillery	Australia
Best Spirit from China	Chongqing Jiangji "Joyouth"	Chongqing Jiangxiaobai Liquor	China
Best Gin	Kyrö Napue Rye Gin	Kyrö Distillery Company	Finland
Best Armagnac	Armagnac Castarede Gustave Eiffel Extra XO	Armagnac Castarède SA	France
Best Cognac	Louis Royer Cognac Extra	Louis Royer SAS	France
Best Liqueur	Komasa Jyozo Komasa No Umeshu	Komasa Jyozo	Japan
Best Shochu	Komasa Jyozo Mellowed Kozuru Migaki	Komasa Jyozo	Japan
Best Worldwide Whisk(e)y	Hombo Shuzo Mars Cosmo Blended Malt Whisky	AF Trade Limited	Japan
Best Blended Scotch Whisky	Dewar's 15 Year Old - The Monarch Blended Scotch Whisky	John Dewar & Sons	Scotland
Best Single Malt Scotch Whisky (Under 15 Years Old)	Old Pulteney 12 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky	Asia Euro Wines & Spirits Hong Kong	Scotland
Best Single Malt Scotch Whisky (No Age Statement)	Aberlour A'bunadh Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky	Chivas Brothers	Scotland
Best Single Malt Scotch Whisky (Over 15 Years Old)	Aberlour 16 Years Old Double Cask Matured Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky	Chivas Brothers	Scotland
Best Single Malt Scotch Whisky (Over 25 Years Old)	Highland Park 30 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky	Edrington Hong Kong Limited	Scotland
Best Rum	Chalong Bay Rum - Pure Series	Premium Thai Brands	Thailand

- ENDS -

TROPHY WINNING BOTTLE SHOTS AND TASTING NOTES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/5ugw6988v4ioxon/AAAzrL7QKDuLW6aCMjHrgGKZa?dl=0 (Available Immediately)
JUDGING IMAGES AVAILABLE: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/uor47iobnb5akna/AADzXa-moX_eu_BHMt8xFUUOa?dl=0 (Available immediately)
AWARDS CEREMONY IMAGES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/do8san4kxsbgnds/AADJBEMN5_rwHeyneNq5q89Na?dl=0(Available immediately)

For all press enquiries, please contact:

Alex Webster Aranchikov
Communications Manager, Meiburg Wine Media
Tel: +852 2515 0178 / Mob: +853 6280 8562
Email: alex@mwminternational.com

Tessa Chan
Marketing Manager, Meiburg Wine Media
Tel: +852 2515 0178 / Mob: +852 6472 4260
Email: tessa@mwminternational.com

About the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition

Now celebrating its ninth year, Cathay Pacific HKIWSC remains the original and most well-respected wine and spirit competition in Asia. Founded by Allen Gibbons from 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 Cathay Pacific 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.