Taylors Wines has won an international wine competition for their shiraz. Image credit: Wavebreakmedia-micro, Freepik
A $20 bottle of South Australian shiraz has been named the champion of a major international wine competition.
Taylors Wines, a family-owned winery based in Clare Valley, was awarded the International Champion 2023 at the annual VINUS International Wine and Spirits Competition in Argentina.
A jury comprised of recognised world experts, sommeliers, and journalists rated Taylors’ Heritage Shiraz 2022 with 100 points — a perfect score.
Taylors also received the Best Series of Five Wines in Competition award and several gold medals.
Third-generation Winemaker and Managing Director, Mitchell Taylor, said it was a “phenomenal” outcome.
“This is such exciting news for our winery — not only have we taken out a major trophy for our wine, but the judges deemed it to be worthy of 100 points,” he said.
“The Heritage Shiraz is a special wine that celebrates the heritage of our family winery and takes inspiration from our very first vintage release in 1973.”
The wine defeated more than 580 entrants from 15 different countries.
Last year, the winery won the same award for its Estate Shiraz 2020, marking the first time a winery has won the award consecutively.
“Fifty years on, we are proud to represent the Clare Valley and South Australia and its awards like this that help showcase the quality of Australian wines to the world,” Taylor continued.
The Australian wine industry has faced ongoing trade and economic challenges, with Wine Australia reporting a 10 per cent decline in wine exports last financial year.
However, Taylor is “optimistic” about the future of the industry, claiming he has learnt that “not every year can be rosy”.
“One thing is certain — the wine community knows how to navigate itself during challenging times to come out stronger on the other side,” he said.
“Winning this award is one of those times we get to come together and celebrate.”
