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Eastern European wines take host of medals at International Wine Challenge 2014

Published:  07 May, 2014

Eastern Europe's wine producing countries have enjoyed their most successful result ever in the International Wine Challenge closely followed by a strong performance from other emerging wine regions.

Results released today for the 2014 IWC reveal that both Croatia and Hungary both received five gold medal wines. It was a particularly strong year for Croatia which saw it double its total medal count from 19 in 2013 to 38 this year, including eight silver medals and 23 bronze.

The Kozlovic Winery on Croatia's Istrian peninsula won two gold medals for its Malvazija 2012 and its Santa Lucia Malvazija 2006. Croatia also received a medal for an ice wine, Bodren Ice Wine 2011 from the Bodren vineyard in the Croatian upland.

As well as five gold medals Hungary's 32 medal haul included nine silver medals and eight bronze medals and was over three times up on the 10 medals it received in 2013. 

Bulgaria demonstrated its growing international reputation with its first gold medal for the Angelus Estate and its Merlot Stallion 2011. It also received five silver medals and seven bronze, taking its total number to 13 compared to three in 2013.

Serbia received two silver medals and three bronze medals for its wines, and Slovenian wines picked up one silver and four bronze.

Elsewhere in central and Eastern Europe, Turkey was rewarded with nine silver medals, and 30 bronze. Greek producer, Sigalas Gasparis, received a gold medal for its Sigalas Aidani 2013. Seven other Greek wines also picked up IWC silver medals. 

Georgia received its first IWC gold medal for its Marani Mukazani 2012 from JSC Telavi Wine Cellar. Georgia also picked up two silver medals and Macedonia won nine bronze medals.

Charles Metcalfe, co-chairman of the IWC, said: "This year we have seen a dramatic increase in the quality of wines entered from Eastern Europe, and the improved medal scores are a testament to that. It has been wonderful to uncover these fantastic wines, and to see how native winemakers are using the traditional grapes with such mastery."

Today's announcement of medals is the second set to be announced for IWC 2014. The competition has been split for the first time in to two sessions to help wineries in the northern and southern hemispheres enter their most recent wines in to the competition based on when they go to harvest. The first tranche of medals was announced in November 2013. 

Metcalfe explained: "By hosting two separate tasting events across the year, wines are given the best chance to perform well, wherever they're from."

For a full set of the medal winners announced today go to www.internationalwinechallenge.com

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