Spanish Wines Win Big in International Wine Challenge Awards!

From shortlisted winemakers to varietal regional trophies, plenty of Spanish wines took home awards during thie prestigious annual competition International Wine Challenge.

The results of the International Wine Challenge (IWC) are in and there’s no shortage of accolades for Spain!

Javier Martínez de Salinas from Bodegas Olarra was shortlisted for 2021 Winemaker of the Year in the red wine category and Sergio Martínez from Emilio Lustau in the fortified wine category.

National 2021 trophies went to Lustau Palo Cortado V.O.R.S 30 Years from Emilio Lustau, Granbazán Etiqueta Ámbar from Argo de Bazán, and Montecastro Reserva from Bodegas Montecastro for sherry white and red wines, respectively.Spain took home two varietal trophies: Pedro Ximenez San Emilio from Emilio Lustau for Pedro Ximenez and Baigorri Maturana from Bodegas Baigorri for Maturana.

As for regional awards, winners included Olarra Clásico Gran Reserva from Bodegas Olarra for the Rioja and Rioja Gran Reserva trophies, Pastora Manzanilla Pasada En Rama from Barbadillo for the Manzanilla trophy, Tío Pepe Cuatro Palmas from González Byass for the Amontillado trophy, and Mayor De Ondarre Reserva from Bodegas Ondarre for the Rioja Reserva trophy.

The International Wine Challenge is celebrating their 37th edition this year and is known as “the world’s most rigorous, impartial and influential annual wine competition.” Competing wines are tasted blind with no price or producer information by at least eight different judges before the winners are decided.