elegant, bright fruit on the palate, and a lovely, soft mousse. Very precise.
BEST ITALIAN SPARKLING WINE The shortlist: BEST ALTO ADIGE Kettmeir 2018 Athesis Brut in Magnum BEST ASTI Cuvage NV Acquesi Asti BEST FRANCIACORTA Fratelli Berlucchi NV Brut 25 in Magnum BEST LAMBRUSCO Cleto Chiarli 2021 Vecchia Modena Premium in Magnum BEST PROSECCO Mionetto NV Extra Dry BEST SICILIAN SPARKLING WINE Milazzo 2003 Federico II in Magnum BEST TRENTODOC Ferrari Trento 2013 Ferrari Perle Nero Riserva in Magnum
The winner:
Kettmeir 2018 Athesis Brut in Magnum
For the first time, Italy’s National Trophy has gone to a wine other than Franciacorta or Trentodoc. See Regional Alto Adige Trophy.
BEST NEW ZEALAND SPARKLING WINE The shortlist: BEST IN CLASS NEW ZEALAND BRUT VINTAGE Hunter’s Wines 2017 Mirumiru Reserve BEST IN CLASS NEW ZEALAND ROSÉ No.1 Family Estate NV Rosé
The winner:
No.1 Family Estate NV Rosé Marlborough, New Zealand (75cl, 13% ABV) 100% Pinot Noir (Rosé, 8.6g/l RS)
Exquisitely pale peach, with aromas rich in cherry fruit, a biscuity complexity and a stylish, spicy twist. Feisty and expressive, with a precise mousse.
BEST ROMANIAN SPARKLING WINE
Carassia NV Rosé in Magnum Transylvania, Romania (150cl, 12% ABV) 64% Pinot Noir, 18% Meunier, 9% Chardonnay, 9% Pinot Blanc (Rosé, 9g/l RS)
A serious rosé by any standard. Peach color. Seductive and succulent, with a sumptuous mousse. Fresh and elegant. This is just lovely.
BEST SPANISH SPARKLING WINE The shortlist: BEST CAVA Freixenet NV Cordon Negro Brut in Magnum BEST CORPINNAT Llopart 2017 Panoramic Imperial
The winner:
Freixenet NV Cordon Negro Brut in Magnum
Amazing quality for an annual production of 200,000 magnums. See Cava Regional Trophy. BEST US SPARKLING WINE Caraccioli 2016 Blanc de Blancs See California Regional Trophy.
is a big win for Gusbourne, and it shows in the winemaking, which is exemplary. Soft, restrained, white-fruit aromas. Fresh and invigorating on the palate, with elegant, bright fruit, a soft mousse, and biscuity notes on the long finish. Classy wine.
WORLD CHAMPION TROPHIES
WORLD CHAMPION CLASSIC BRUT NV The shortlist: BEST IN CLASS ENGLISH BRUT NV Hattingley Valley Wines NV Classic Reserve in Magnum BEST IN CLASS CHAMPAGNE BRUT NV Louis Roederer NV Collection 242 in Magnum BEST IN CLASS FRANCIACORTA BRUT NV Lantieri de Paratico NV Brut BEST IN CLASS HUNGARIAN BRUT NV Sauska NV Brut in Magnum BEST IN CLASS CAVA BRUT NV Freixenet NV Cordon Negro Brut in Magnum
The winner:
Louis Roederer NV Collection 242 in Magnum See Non-Deluxe Champagne Regional Trophy.
WORLD CHAMPION CLASSIC BRUT VINTAGE The shortlist: BEST IN CLASS AUSTRALIAN BRUT VINTAGE Bream Creek Vineyard 2016 Cuvée Traditionelle BEST IN CLASS ENGLISH BRUT VINTAGE Gusbourne 2018 Brut Reserve BEST IN CLASS CHAMPAGNE BRUT VINTAGE Louis Roederer 2014 Brut Vintage in Magnum BEST IN CLASS ALTO ADIGE BRUT VINTAGE Kettmeir 2018 Athesis Brut in Magnum BEST IN CLASS FRANCIACORTA BRUT VINTAGE Fratelli Berlucchi NV Brut 25 in Magnum BEST IN CLASS SICILIAN BRUT VINTAGE Milazzo 2003 Federico II in Magnum BEST IN CLASS TRENTODOC BRUT VINTAGE Endrizzi 2017 Piancastello Riserva BEST IN CLASS CAVA BRUT VINTAGE Bodegues Sumarroca 2015 Núria Claverol Homenatge BEST IN CLASS CORPINNAT BRUT VINTAGE Llopart 2017 Panoramic Imperial BEST IN CLASS NEW ZEALAND BRUT VINTAGE Hunter’s Wines 2017 Mirumiru Reserve BEST IN CLASS CALIFORNIA BRUT VINTAGE Caraccioli 2016 Brut Cuvée
The winner:
Gusbourne 2018 Brut Reserve Kent, England (75cl, 12%) 46% Meunier, 35% Chardonnay, 19% Pinot Noir (White, 8.9g/l RS)
Up against the world’s best Vintage brut, this
WORLD CHAMPION CLASSIC BLANC DE BLANCS The shortlist: BEST IN CLASS AUSTRALIAN BLANC DE BLANCS Swift 2011 Blanc de Blancs BEST IN CLASS BULGARIAN BLANC DE BLANCS Midalidare Estate NV Sparkling Wine Gold in Magnum BEST IN CLASS ENGLISH BLANC DE BLANCS Gusbourne 2018 Blanc de Blancs BEST IN CLASS CHAMPAGNE BLANC DE BLANCS NV Palmer & Co NV Blanc de Blancs in Magnum BEST IN CLASS FRANCIACORTA BLANC DE BLANCS NV Fratelli Berlucchi NV Brut 25 in Magnum BEST IN CLASS TRENTODOC BLANC DE BLANCS VINTAGE Ferrari Trento 2016 Perle in Magnum BEST IN CLASS CALIFORNIA BLANC DE BLANCS VINTAGE Caraccioli 2016 Blanc de Blancs
The winner:
Palmer & Co NV Blanc de Blancs in Magnum Champagne, France (150cl, 12% ABV) 100% Chardonnay (White, 6.9g/l RS)
Consistently one of the finest Champagnes on the market, this is the third time that Palmer has won this trophy. Lovely, sweet toastiness on the nose, with notes of coffee, cream, lemon curd, and tropical fruit filtering through to the palate. A fine, linear acid line focuses super-pure fruit of serious potential complexity, while the cushiony mousse brings a lightness and precision to the massive yet surprisingly elegant fruit. Drink now or keep 20 years—your choice.
WORLD CHAMPION CLASSIC BLANC DE NOIRS The shortlist: BEST IN CLASS ENGLISH BLANC DE NOIRS VINTAGE Simpsons Wine Estate 2018 Flint Fields Blanc de Noirs BEST IN CLASS CHAMPAGNE BLANC DE NOIRS NV Palmer & Co NV Blanc de Noirs in Magnum BEST IN CLASS FRANCIACORTA VINTAGE BLANC DE NOIRS VINTAGE Derbusco Cives 2009 Decem Annis BEST IN CLASS TRENTODOC BLANC DE NOIRS VINTAGE Ferrari Trento 2013 Ferrari Perle Nero Riserva in Magnum
The winner:
Palmer & Co NV Blanc de Noirs in Magnum Champagne, France (150cl, 12% ABV) 53% Pinot Noir, 47% Meunier (White, 6.9g/l RS)
This is such a difficult trophy to win (see English National Trophy winner) that it is the only
THE WORLD OF FINE WINE | ISSUE 79 | 2023 | 31
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