There has been a record-breaking haul of medal-winners in the UK wine industry’s annual national wine awards – The English & Welsh Wine of the Year Competition.
It is organised by the United Kingdom Vineyards Association and this year saw the largest number of wines ever entered … 327 wines, from over 90 producers all over the UK.
The wines were judged over two days by a team of six Masters of Wine – the only competition in the world judged entirely and only ever by Masters of Wine.
The judges awarded 284 medals and a further 26 wines gained Highly Commended status.
The UK’s top three most widely planted grape varieties – chardonnay, pinot noir and bacchus – dominated the trophies, producing winners in all but one category: the still rosé.
The trophy winners
Vintners’ Trophy – The most outstanding sparkling wine
Langham Wine Estate Classic Cuvée 2011
Jack Ward Memorial Salver – The most outstanding large production wine – 2013 vintage
Albourne Estate Bacchus 2014
McNie Trophy – The most outstanding oaked white wine
Gusbourne Estate Guinevere 2013
Wine Guild Trophy – The most outstanding large production wine – any other year
New Hall Pinot Noir Rosé 2013
Tom Day Trophy – The most outstanding single varietal wine
Albourne Estate Bacchus 2014
Dudley Quirk Memorial Trophy – The most outstanding large production wine(>10,000 litres)
Chapel Down Bacchus 2014
President’s Trophy – The most outstanding small production wine (<1500 litres)
Plumpton Estate The Dean Blush Brut NV
Waitrose Rosé Trophy – The most outstanding still rosé wine
Meopham Valley Vineyard Rosé 2014
Bob Lindo Trophy – The most outstanding sparkling rosé wine
Plumpton Estate The Dean Blush Brut NV
Bernard Theobald Trophy – The most outstanding red wine
Sharpham Vineyard Pinot Noir and Précoce 2013
Berwick Trophy – The most outstanding large production unchaptalised still wine
Hattingley Valley Entice 2014
Stefanowicz Trophy – The most outstanding sweet wine
Hattingley Valley Entice 2014
Montagu Trophy – Best presented wine
Castle Brook Vineyard Classic Cuvée 2009