Supermarket own-label Champagnes scoop Gold
Waitrose and Sainsbury’s own-label Champagnes beat some of the most popular Champagne houses to win Gold (Best in Class) at the UK’s prestigious International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) Northern Hemiphere Wine Results.
The Waitrose Champagne Brut NV, currently priced at £16.19, was rated against Boizel Brut Reserve NV (Silver), Champagne De Cazanove Grand Azzarart NV (Silver), GH Mumm Cordon Rouge NV (Bronze) and Lanson Black Brut NV (Bronze).
The supermarket also picked up a Gold for its Waitrose Blanc de Noirs Champagne NV, currently retailing at £18.04 along with four (Silver Best in Class) 12 Silvers and seven Bronze medals.
Sainsbury’ won Gold (Best in class) for its Taste the Difference Champagne 2005, competing against Champagne Froment Griffon Privilège 2005 (Silver) and Heidsieck Monopole Gold Top 2005 (Silver). Another Gold was awarded to the supermarket’s own-label Taste the Difference Amontillado 12 YO Sherry as well as Four Silver (Best in Class), 16 Silver and 25 Bronze Medals.
The only other supermarket to win Gold Medals was Marks & Spencer, which scooped three Gold (Best in Class) for its own-label Chabli Grand Cru Grenouille 2006, M&S Dry Old Palo Cortado and M&S Finest Reserve Port. The supermarket also took home six Silver (Best in Class), 10 Silvers and 12 Bronze Medals for a range of wines, Port and Sherries.
IWSC Marketing Manager David Kelly comments: “It clearly demonstrates that quality wines can be purchased at a reasonable price and that the supermarkets choose good producers when selecting wines for their own brand range”.
Other highlights for retailers included:
• Asda picked up two Silver (Best in Class) awards for its Asda Extra Special Viognier 2010 and Asda Petit Chablis 2009 along with eight Silver Medals and 27 Bronze.
• Tesco won five Silver (Best in Class) including for its Asti NV and a further 20 Silver medals and 33 Bronze.
• Discounter Aldi scooped one Silver for its Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC Collezione 2009 and 14 Bronze medals including one for its Hungarian Budavar Pinot Bianco 2009.
• Spar won two Silver (Best in Class) for its Sancerre Chêne Saint Louis 2009 and Les Trois Couronnes Chateauneuf du Pape 2010 along with a further six Silver and 21 Bronze.
The results were announced at the London International Wine Fair, May 17-19 at London’s Excel. For the full results of this year’s Northern Hemisphere judging, visit www.iwsc.net/search2010/wine/
For more information please contact:
David Kelly
IWSC Marketing Manager
Tel: +44 (0) 1483 548 963
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