VINELAND, Ont.,Canada: Royal DeMaria Wines 'Canada's Icewine Specialists' have just swept Brussels based competition Concours Mondial with five gold medals. Judges at the competition held April 12 - 14th, 2003 honoured the winemaking excellence of Royal DeMaria's 2000 Chardonnay Icewine, 2000 Gewurztraminer Icewine, 2000 Pinot Gris Icewine, 2001 Riesling Icewine and 2000 Winter Harvest Merlot.

Competition organizers confirmed that it is the first time in the 10 year history of Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, which is a founding member of the World Federation of International Competitions and has become the largest international competition sponsored by the International Office of the Vine and Wine(OIV) and by the International Union of Oenologists, that a winery has won 5 gold medals within the same category.

This year's competition had 40 countries represented with a total of 3795 wines entered. The winnings for Royal DeMaria Wines, who exclusively produce only icewine, further demonstrate that they are ranked as the finest producers of icewine in the world.

Word of the winnings came just days after Royal DeMaria Wines received the Great Golden Award for the highest score of all Canadian wines entered, and the Grand Gold for their 2000 Vidal Icewine at the Verona-based Vinitaly 2003. Vinitaly 2003 had 31 countries represented with a total of 2400 wines entered.

"I am just beside myself," Winemaker Joseph DeMaria was quoted as saying, "My accomplishments at Vinitaly 2003 were incredible but breaking another international wine record is absolutely thrilling."

This is the second consecutive year that Joseph has broken a world record. DeMaria's first world record was set last year with 5 gold Citadelles du Vin trophies from the most prestigious wine and spirits exhibition in the world. The Citadelles du Vin, formerly known as the Civart Trophy and the Grand Prix d'Honneur, was held at VinExpo in Bordeaux, France. Two years ago the Vineland based winery was also anointed as one of the worlds finest producers when it's 1999 Riesling Icewine was awarded with Olympiades du Vin gold Trophy, the highest possible honour from VinExpo, the worlds leading wine and spirits exhibition.

In their four year history of competing, they have won over 120 awards from some of the most highly recognized and respected international wine competitions.

For more information or interviews contact Charlene Stephenson Royal DeMaria Wines
Email icewine@royaldemaria.com
Phone: 905-562-6767 or 1-888-793-8883 fax: 905-562-6775 web: www.royaldemaria.com