Almost 200 wines were tasted at the PIWI International Wine Challenge at the end of October and the qualities were outstanding.

The PIWI International Wine Challenge took place for the second time on October 22nd. The tasting took place in the Vinotheque WEINWERK in the Reinhardt winery in Ruppertsberg/Palatinate near Deidesheim. Almost 200 wines were submitted. In addition to Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Switzerland and Italy, wines from France, Spain and Poland were also included and the results were far beyond expectations.

20 tasters from Italy, Switzerland, Austria and Germany selected the winning wines according to the OIV's 100-point system.

"The tasting once again showed which high-quality wines our PIWI winemakers produce every yearsays PIWI International President Alexander Morandell. He and PIWI Germany President Andreas Dilger welcomed the international tasters and were very impressed by the local conditions and the great infrastructure that the WEINWERK provided.

The tasting was organized by bonvinitas Chef Dieter Simon in cooperation with PIWI-International. Like last year, the awards were given based on the following points:

87 to 92 points: very good = SILVER

93 to 95 points: excellent = GOLD

95 points and more: excellent / top wine = TOP GOLD

The highest score (98 points) reached the Saphira 2021, a Beerenauslese from the Czech Republic from the Winery Ing. Miroslav Volarik. It landed just behind Theia (97 points) from the Nove Lune winery in Cenate Sopra, Italy.

  • The other TOP Gold wines:
    Sparkling wine Brut from Weinhof Scharl, Austria,
    the Donauveltliner from the Diem winery in Austria,
    the red Divico from the Swiss breeding facility Agroscope,
    the Saphira 2022 dry from Volarik, Czech Republic,
    the Cabernet Blanc 2022 from the Dürrenzimmern Wine Convention, Germany,
    the ice wine – Souvignier Gris 2022 from the Britzingen wine cooperative, also Germany.

A total of 147 wines were awarded, 8 wines with Top Gold, 34 with Gold and 105 with Silver. The wide range of award-winning wines clearly shows that the PIWIs are a force to be reckoned with in the coming years. In terms of taste, they have long been on a par with classic wines, but their popularity and thus customer acceptance requires even more mediation and persuasion.

"Such wine competitions in particular are important indicators and help enormously in building the image of the PIWIs in a wine world that is also heavily affected by climate change.” says Andreas Dilger and is already looking forward to the official presentation of the winning wines to a larger audience. Date and location will be announced later.