New Zealand wines beat entries from around the world to win the top Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc Trophies at the 2016 International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC), based in the U.K. This year, New Zealand wines were also awarded Gold Medals for styles ranging from sweet Riesling to Syrah, Gewürztraminer to Malbec.

For another year running, New Zealand retained possession of the Pinot Noir Trophy, awarded in 2016 to the Giesen Single Vineyard Ridge Block Marlborough Pinot Noir 2013. New Zealand also scooped the Sauvignon Blanc Trophy with the Kim Crawford Small Parcels Spitfire Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016.

New Zealand wine showed it could excel with other styles and varieties on the world-stage by winning top awards for a spectrum of Riesling styles, and a Chardonnay and Gewürztraminer in the whites, and a Syrah, Merlot Cabernet and Malbec in the reds.

“New Zealand has established itself as a world-beater in Sauvignon Blanc, and more recently Pinot Noir,” commented Jo Burzynska, a long time IWSC judge and a New Zealand panel chair. “However, in all the years that I’ve been judging at the IWSC, this is one if the widest range of styles I’ve witnessed winning top awards.”

“We are delighted with the results New Zealand wines achieved at IWSC this year. It’s great see a continued focus on premium Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, as well recognition of the quality coming from a wide range of other up and coming New Zealand wine styles and varieties.” said Chris Yorke, Global Marketing Director for New Zealand Winegrowers.