By Jim Boyce | Another wine contest, another gold medal for a Chinese label, this time at the Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships (CSWWC).
Among the 149 gold and 143 silver medal winners were a pair of wines from Ningxia: Chandon NV Brut Rosé (Chardonnay-Pinot Noir) with gold, the first for a China entry, and Chandon NV Brut (same blend) with silver.
This year’s entries hailed from 26 countries and were judged by Tom Stevenson, Essi Avellan and Tony Jordan, the latter involved in establishing Chandon in Ningxia.
France dominated the medals, particularly big names like Mumm (10 medals), Louis Roederer (10), Perrier-Jouët (7), Taittinger (6), Lanson (6), and Veuve Cliquot (5). Only the gold and silver results are available now; the trophy winners will be announced on September 1.
The CSWWC says the wines are tasted “blind”, with judges told only where each originates, its basic style and the grape varieties used. Medals and “best in class” are decided using flights of like wines.
I’m not sure if Grace Vineyard in Shanxi participated—my guess is no—but it launched four sparkling wines last summer, including a reserve that was well-received by consumers and critics.
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