May 21: Sula Vineyards, India’s largest wine producer has been awarded a Gold medal for its Tropicale Rose Brut at the recently conducted International Wine Challenge 2022 whereas Moet Chandon has been awarded a Bronze for its competing Rosé Brut, with Sula Late Harvest Chenin Blanc awarded a Bronze and its Sauvignon Blanc 2021, Dindori Reserve Shiraz 2020 as well as Charosa Tempranillo Reserve 2016 bagging a ‘Recommended’ Award, writes Subhash Arora
Sula Brut Tropicale, an elegant and delicious wine was introduced in 2015 during the 15th year of Sula celebration in Mumbai when it was introduced as a Brut and a Blanc de Noir, with over 50% grapes claimed to be red grapes and the colour as distinct Rosé, ostensibly to compete with the new foreign kid on the block Chandon Brut which had been introduced as sparklers over a year earlier. Over the years, Sula quietly changed the classification from Brut to Rosé Brut. The method of second fermentation from the initial traditional method (like in Champagne) to the tank method (as in Prosecco). It has declared the grapes used as Chenin Blanc, Syrah and Riesling whereas Chandon Rose has stuck to Shiraz-intrinsically the same as Syrah, as the grapes used.
Tropicale has won the Gold with a remarkable 95 points, according to the Press Release by Sula whereas the Late Harvest scored 87 points. The PR also says that this is the first time an Indian wine has scored a Gold Medal.
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Elated by the Award, Rajeev Samant, Founder & CEO, Sula Vineyards, who is reportedly in London at the moment says, ‘We are absolutely thrilled to be the first Indian winery ever to win a Gold medal with our Rose Brut Tropicale bubbly. This award is a terrific milestone that firmly puts Indian wines on the world wine map and paves the way for many more to come. This Award is a testament to our team's hard work and to the increasing quality of Sula and Indian wines.’
The International Wine Challenge (IWC) is one of the most prestigious international wine awards held every year since 1984 when it was started by Robert Joseph and Charles Metcalfe. Perhaps the biggest international wine competition today, it received more than 18,000 wine entries this year, compared to around 50 bottles tasted at the inaugural edition.
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Trophy Winners and Special Awards ‘Best in Show’ wines and winemakers are on top of the scale of Awards. These are followed by Gold Medal (95 – 100 points), Silver Medal (90 – 94 points) and Bronze Medal (85-89 points) followed by a 'Commended' Award.
There are Six Co-Chairs, each of them leaders in their field, for IWC. Between them, they taste every single medal-winning wine. These judges are Tim Atkin MW, Sam Caporn MW, Oz Clarke, Dr. Jamie Goode, Peter McCombie MW and Helen McGinn. The Competition is owned by William Reed Ltd.
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For detailed results, please click
Congratulations to all the winners of the Awards.
Subhash Arora
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