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SAKE TROPHIES ANNOUNCED FOR IWC 2014International Wine Challenge announces 18 Trophies and the first Great Value Sake
• Trophies awarded for new categories of Sparkling and Ordinary Sake• First ever Great Value Sake Award announced• Most Trophies ever awarded to sake by the IWC
This year, the International Wine Challenge Sake competition, sponsored by Japan Airlines, was the biggest ever competition with 725 sake submitted. 2014 also marked the first step towards a truly international sake competition, with entries from Norway, USA and Canada.
40 International judges also attended, with the IWC’s unique 50/50 Japanese / Non-Japanese judging panel supported by the Sake Samurai Association in London on the 14 and 15th of April.
IWC Trophies are awarded to those Gold medal Sakes that the judges feel should be recognised further. Initially the sake are re-tasted to find a sub-regional Trophy based on the breweries home town. If there are several Sake designated a higher quality, those will be awarded a Prefecture (Regional) based Trophy. Then those ‘Prefecture’ Sake winners will be tasted against each other to find a Category Trophy.
All Category Trophy winning Sake have been tasted against watch other to find the Champion Sake that will be announced at the IWC Awards dinner on the 16th July in London.
IWC Great Value Sake sponsored by the Sake Samurai AssociationHistory has also been made and for the first time a Great Value Sake Award for a sake with a high production (over 100k bottles), low price (less than ¥ 1000), also widely available throughout Japan and a high quality (Gold or Silver medal) has been awarded to Asahiyama Senjuhai from Asahi Shuzo Co. Ltd in Niigata
IWC is delighted to announce the following Trophies from the 2014 competition.
Ordinary Sake TrophyThe first ever Trophy awarded to an Ordinary Sake was won by Jousen Hourai from Watanabe Shuzouten from the Gifu prefecture.
Sparkling Sake TrophyThe first ever IWC Trophy medals for Sparkling Sake is awarded to Junmai Ginjo-shu Origarami by Tenzan Shuzo in Saga.
The judges also awarded the Miyagi Sparkling Sake Trophy to Haginotsuru Junmai Daiginjo by Shikenjozoshu Hagino Shuzou
Honjozo TrophyThe Honjozo Trophy was awarded to Honjozo Myokosan from Myoko.Also the Fukuoka Honjozo Trophy is awarded to Honjozo Shouden from Kitaya, last year’s Champion Sake maker now showing quality across their range of sake.
Junmai Trophy
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The Junmai Trophy was awarded to Isojiman Tokubetsu Junmai Omachi by Isojiman Premium Sake Brewery in Yaizu City
Junmai Daiginjo TrophyTwo Junmai Daiginjo Trophies were awarded as follows:The Junmai Daiginjo Trophy is awarded to Ginrei Gassan Junmai Daiginjo by Gassan Sake Brewery in Yamagata.The Fukushima Junmai Daiginjo Trophy is awarded Hiroki JunmaiDaiginjo by Hiroki Shuzouhonten in Aizu Bange Cho.
Ginjo Daiginjo TrophyWas the most awarded category with 6 Trophies
Ginjo Daiginjo Trophy was awarded to Toko Daiginjo Yamadanishiki by Kojima Sohonten
The Akita Ginjo Daiginjo Trophy to Daiginjo Fukukomachi by Kimura Brewery
The Tendo Ginjo Daiginjo Trophy was awarded Dewazakura Yuki Manman by Dewazakura Sake Brewery The Katamagi Ginjo Daiginjo Trophy was awarded to Taiheizan Daiginjo Juhonen by Kodama BrewingThe Kainan Ginjo Daiginjo Trophy was awarded Kido Daiginjo by Heiwa Shouzou in WakayamaThe Sakata Ginjo Daiginjo Trophy was awarded Kikuisami Daiginjo Hiden by Kikuisami
Koshu TrophyThree Trophies have been awarded to KoshuThe Koshu Trophy has been awarded to Jukusei Koshu Hidanohana Suiou by Hirata Shuzojou from Gifu
The Akita Koshu Trophy has been awarded to Yamabuki Gold by Kinmon Akita Shuzo Co LtdThe Hiroshima Koshu Trophy has been awarded Hanahato Kijoshu aged for 8 years by Enoki Shuzo
Sam Harrop, Co-Chairman of the IWC commented:“The calibre of sake has been outstanding at this year’s competition. The Trophy winners are absolutely stunning, increasing in quality every year, making the judges decisions more difficult every year.
2014 also saw the introduction of two new sake categories – Ordinary Sake (Futsu-shu) and the relatively new phenomenon of Sparkling Sake. Both fared well. Each category was judged independently, so no comparison was made across different categories. Therefore, while the Ordinary Sake was judged on the same criteria as other categories – yeast, rice polish rate and the addition of alcohol – it was not competing against the more premium sake.
“If a consumer sees an IWC medal sticker on a bottle of sake, they can trust the quality of the product, as it has been tasted by some of the finest sake judges in the world,” explained Sam Harrop.
“Whether you are a sake novice or a seasoned expert, our stickers can help you choose great sake every time you shop,” he added.
All International Wine Challenge news can be found at our Digital Newsroom
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What is International Wine Challenge?Now in its 31st year, the International Wine Challenge is accepted as the world’s finest and most meticulously judged competition. The IWC assesses every wine or sake ‘blind’ and judges each for its faithfulness to style, region and vintage. Each medal winning wine or sake is tasted on at least three separate occasions by a minimum of 10 different judges including ‘master’ tasters. Awards include medals (Gold, Silver, Bronze) and Commended awards. The IWC is committed to helping consumers discover great wine and the medals displayed on winning bottles offer a trusted guarantee of quality.
Visit the IWC website for the full list of winners - www.internationalwinechallenge.com
For more information please contact:Manifest IWC
Ali Maynard & Helen Kennyt. 0203 1379270m. 07712 877 972e. [email protected]
Chris Ashtont. 07884 063405e. [email protected]
All International Wine Challenge news can be found at our Digital Newsroom
