Awards

A still white wine has triumphed as Wine of the Year in this year's English & Welsh Wine of the Year competition for the first time since 1999. Although England and Wales are now acknowledged leading sparkling wine producers, it is perhaps a timely reminder that this country also produces some uniquely attractive still white wines, particularly from aromatic varieties. The competition took place at Brightwell Vineyard in Oxfordshire on 26th and 27th June, with a top team of judges, chaired by Patricia Stefanowicz MW and comprising Julian Brind MW, Anthony Foster MW, Maggie McNie MW, Alastair Peebles MW, Stephen Skelton MW and David Wrigley MW. “This annual UK vineyards competition highlights the quality and range of styles that England and Wales produce,” comments Patricia Stefanowicz MW. “We were delighted to see vineyards entering the best that they produce, and this was reflected in the higher number of awards. Professionalism and quality in grape-growing and winemaking has shone through, and the range of different producers now winning top awards shows just how good the standards are. This is a serious competition.”   This year’s national competition saw an impressively high number of entries. More gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded than in the previous two years, with a good number awarded to 2007 vintage wines, showing that despite the difficult vintage and low volume, the quality is high. 2006 vintage wines also showed well, illustrating that a year in bottle has allowed the wines time to show their inherent quality. The sparkling wines did not disappoint, with some impressive trophies and gold medals awarded, proving once again the consistently high quality coming from English and Welsh sparkling producers.

This year hailed a welcome return by Nyetimber, whose newly-released 2001 vintage wines both scooped gold medals alongside Ridgeview also won two gold medals. Last year’s highest award-winner Camel Valley continued their success by scooping three gold medals as well as the trophy for Best Sparkling Wine, which was awarded to their “Cornwall” White Pinot 2005.

The aromatic still white category surpassed many expectations, with Bacchus showing top form by winning two trophies, and securing its reputation as a quality grape variety ideally suited to the UK and producing a consistently appealing style. Other aromatic varieties such as Ortega and Schönburger also earned a good number of awards, both as single varietals and in blends. “Bacchus, along with these other aromatic varieties, has earned true recognition for producing a very successful style in the UK,” adds Patricia.

The resounding winner this year is Three Choirs Vineyards, whose Estate Reserve Siegerrebe 2006 won the Gore-Browne Trophy (‘Wine of the Year’) and fittingly the Tom Day Trophy for Best Varietal Wine. Tom Day was involved with Three Choirs Vineyards when it was first set up in the early 1970’s. Siegerrebe is another intensely aromatic variety which produces outstanding wines when grown on the right site.

The accolade of Winemaker of the Year recognises the significant contribution that winemakers in the UK make towards the quality of English and Welsh wines. This year’s acknowledged winner is Martin Fowke of Three Choirs Vineyards. “Although only one award can be presented in any year, there are other winemakers that also deserve credit given the impressive results that many of them have achieved this year – congratulations to them all, particularly to Martin,” concludes Patricia.