Decanter China Announces DAWA Winners

The International Trophy winners in the first Decanter Asia Wine Awards (DAWA) were announced recently at an awards ceremony and tasting at The French Window, IFC, Central. Thirteen wines were awarded the best-of-the-best International Trophy prize, which is given to wines that were recognised not just as the best of type in their own region, but also as being the best among all the other Regional Trophy winners of that style from around the world. Of the 2,249 wines entered into the Decanter Asia Wine Awards, just 0.6% achieved the prestigious accolade of being crowned an International Trophy winner.

Australia and France did exceptionally well, collectively securing nine of the 13 International Trophies, including the Sweet International Trophy for Château Suduiraut’s 2005 Sauternes and the Red Blend International Trophy for Wynns, Cabernet-Shiraz-Merlot 2009 from Coonawarra, South Australia.

The Decanter Asia Wine Awards competition, co-chaired by Jeannie Cho Lee MW, the first Asian Master of Wine and world-renowned wine expert Steven Spurrier, had been specifically designed as an Asian competition for Asian consumers. With more than 2,200 wines entered in this inaugural event, it has already become one of Asia’s largest wine competitions. The Decanter Asia Wine Awards is the sister competition to the Decanter World Wine Awards, which was founded in 2004, and is one of the world’s most respected and influential competition. It is the largest wine competition in the world, receiving 14,120 entries in 2012.

The Decanter Asia Wine Awards are judged by a panel of leading wine experts, with 92% coming from or based in Asia, including top sommeliers, wine critics, and wine buyers.

Commenting on the quality of the judging panel, Scott Mitchell, Brand Ambassador in Asia for Single-Varietal White International Trophy winner, Brokenwood (distributed in Hong Kong by Cellarmaster Wines), said: “It was very easy for us to put wines into this competition, because it is very credible with the judges and panel that was assembled to do the tastings”.

This was also important to other winners, including Julien Bonnard, the Asia Brand Ambassador for Marchesi Alfieri (distributed in Hong Kong by Concord Wines), who won the Red Italian Varietal International Trophy commenting: “The way Decanter has organised this event with a real professional panel of judges is very important.” He feels the Decanter Asia Wine Awards also gives the opportunity for consumers to discover new wines to enjoy, “it shows that you can find some outstanding wines, which have to be discovered. For us, the Decanter Asia Wine Awards is a very nice window to have our wines awarded as trophy wines”.

Co-Chair, Jeannie Cho Lee MW noted: “Congratulations to all of our winners. There was tough competition in every category. The international trophy winners really do represent the very best in their class”.

“Decanter is proud to endorse the quality of these wines to consumers. They have been evaluated by Asia's finest palates in a very rigorous competition. I believe that we have some truly exciting recommendations for consumer to discover,” said Sarah Kemp, Decanter’s Publishing Director and founder of the Decanter Asia Wine Awards.

Paul Rogers, CEO of Fox Creek Wines (distributed in Hong Kong through Summergate Fine Wines), the Red Bordeaux Varietal International Trophy winner, said: “This trophy has already opened many doors for us and we have started to get some interest in the Hong Kong and Macau markets, so hopefully in the future we can sign a new partner here with the aid of this trophy.”

Charmaine So, of Fiesta Ltd, who represent Protos, the Red Spanish Varietal International Trophy winner, commented of their win: “We are very happy that Protos has got this award from Decanter. This is a very prestigious award and we are very happy to be a part of it.”

For the full results of the Decanter Asia Wine Awards and profiles of each of the judges, please visit www.decanterchina.com.  The 2013 Decanter Asia Wine Awards will open for entries in April 2013 and results will be published in October 2013”.

Trophy Winners (only those actually available in Hong Kong):

Riesling Trophy – Eden Springs High Eden Riesling 2008 (Advantage Asia Pacific)

Red Blend Trophy – Wynns Cabernet Shiraz Merlot 2009 (Jebsen Fine Wine)

Chardonnay Trophy – Bay of Fires Tasmania Chardonnay 2010 (Accolade Wines)

Red Bordeaux Varietal Trophy – Fox Creek Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 (Summergate Fine Wines)

Single Varietal White Trophy – Brokenwood Maxwell Vineyard Semillon 2006 (Cellarmaster Wines)

Sweet Trophy – Chateau Suduiraut 2005 (Sun’s Wine)

Sparkling Trophy – Piper Heidsieck Brut Millesime 2004 (Telford Wine and Spirits)

Red Italian Varietals Trophy – Marchesi Alfieri Barbera d’Asti Superiore 2009 (Concord Wines)

Red Spanish Varietal Trophy – Protos Seleccion Finca El Grajo Viejo 2009 (Fiesta Limited)