Big Success for Little Sweetie at 2015 International Sweet Wine Challenge

The 10^th annual International Sweet Wine Challenge (ISWC) presentation dinner was held last night to unveil this year’s top sweet and semi-sweet wines from around the world. Since 2006, the ISWC panel of expert judges have tasted their way through hundreds of wines to help showcase the variety and high quality of sweet wines available, and this 10-year celebration definitely helped highlight the huge diversity on offer with the ultimate title being awarded to a viognier for the first time.

2015 International Sweet Wine of the Year ~ FREEMAN Dolcino 2013

In the ISWC’s 10 year history, previous winners have ranged from Semillons to Rieslings to Sauvignon Blancs and Gewurztraminers, and now it is time for Viognier to shine. The 2013 FREEMAN Dolcino (meaning “little sweetie”) is made from Viognier grapes harvested at very high sugar levels and fermented by wild yeasts in a combination of old and new oak barrels.

The Trophy win also shines a light on the relatively small wine region of the Hilltops in New South Wales, which is where Dr Brian Freeman (previously professor of Wine Science at Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga) and his winemaker daughter Xanthe make this wine at their family wine company.

Chair of Judges Sophie Otton said of the winner, “I am thrilled that this year’s International Sweet Wine Challenge Wine of the Year is the Freeman 2013 Dolcino, as this wine highlights the skills of a small boutique producer, from the granite based Hilltops region, and stands in complete contrast to last year’s winner, the G. Gramp & Sons 2011 Botrytis Semillon.

A dashing mix of complexity and freshness, the wine is most distinguished by its particular flavour, a characteristic achieved by harvesting partially botrytised sweet wine from the non-traditional Viognier.”

Commenting on other successful wines at the ISWC Sophie continued, “The International Sweet Wine Challenge 2015 had a broader range of styles than seen previously, with the traditional richly botrytised Semillon and late harvest Riesling less dominant than before.

The semi-sweet wine and frizzante filled the space, and the quality was excellent. Producers were mindful of delicacy and freshness, and walked the ever-challenging tightrope of sugar versus acid better than ever.  This was exemplified by the 2014 Tempus Two Copper Moscato, a most deserving winner in this category.

One continues to marvel at the labour of love that many of these wines represent.  Being undervalued and under-appreciated, they nevertheless show what diversity can be achieved when winemakers dedicate themselves. We’ve seen all manner and form this year, from late harvest to cane cut, and noble rot across to the museum class, which particularly shows, in their evolution, how glorious these wines can become.”

So experience the sweeter side of life at the International Sweet Wine Challenge, as beautiful things really do come in little packages.

2015 ISWC TROPHY WINNERS:

Best Sweet, Moscato style ~      2014 Tempus Two Coppers Moscato (rrp$25)

Best Mature Sweet, Semillon ~  2010 Cookoothama Riverina Botrytis Semillon (rrp$22.95)

Best Mature Sweet, Other Varieties ~ 2013 Freeman Dolcino (rrp$25)

Best Sweet Wine from Museum Class ~ 2002 Lillypilly Estate Wines Noble Blend

2015 International Sweet Wine of the Year ~ 2013 Freeman Dolcino (rrp$25)

Contact

Media enquiries and sample requests:

Alex Burgener, Palate PR P: +61 (0)404 900 961 E: info@palatepr.com.au

For information on entering the International Sweet Wine Challenge:

Stuart McGrath-Kerr, Riverina Winemakers Association P: + 61 2 6964 3504