English Vines Bear Big Winning Wines
Today sees the announcement of the International Wine and Spirit Competition’s (IWSC) first Northern Hemisphere results of the year at the London Wine Fair, Olympia. English wine entries have increased by 70% year on year and medals for home grown wines are up an impressive 63% from 2014, smashing records in the competition’s 46 year history. This success is a tribute to the wines which have all undergone the IWSC’s rigorous judging process which includes a double blind tasting.
In total, a record breaking 80 medals were awarded to English wines. This year, three English wineries achieved coveted Gold medals, including the very first IWSC medal for an English still wine. Two Gold Outstanding medals were taken home by the same Kent vineyard, Gusbourne Estate. Gold Outstanding is the highest medal distinction awarded by judges in the prestigious international competition.
The top winning English wines are:
· Gold Outstanding: Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs 2007 LD, Gusbourne Estate, White Sparkling
· Gold Outstanding: Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs 2010, Gusbourne Estate, White Sparkling
· Gold: Nutbourne Sussex Reserve 2013, Nutbourne Vineyards, White Still
· Gold: Gusbourne Rosé 2011, Gusbourne Estate, Rosé Sparkling
· Gold: Black Dog Hill Classic Cuvee 2011, Black Dog Hill Vineyard, White Sparkling
Julia Trustram Eve, Marketing Director for English Wine Producers, comments on the announcement: “It’s great to see that English wines are continuing to prove their international status through these fantastic competition successes. It’s the consistency that is really showing just what world-class wines are produced in England.”
Ewan Lacey, General Manager of the IWSC said: “This is a brilliant result for these three English wineries, Gusbourne Estate has won three gold medal awards in all and is the only English wine to be awarded the IWSC’s highest accolade – a gold outstanding. Family owned, Sussex based Black Dog Hill Vineyard has burst onto the English wine scene with a much coveted Gold medal win for their first ever release. Sussex has also won Gold for Nutbourne Vineyard’s Nutbourne Sussex Reserve 2013, the first still English wine to take home a gold medal.”
The competition also saw emerging wine producing countries Hungary and Georgia take home Golds. The Czech Republic stormed the medal table with a total of 39 medals with Greece and Romania picking up 32 and 24 respectively, proving traditional wine making countries have tough competition from Eastern Europe.
The IWSC’s Northern Hemisphere results exclude France and Italy which will be released to celebrate the start of Vinexpo 2015.
To mark the release of the IWSC’s Northern Hemisphere wine results, winners’ tastings will take place during the London Wine Fair (Monday 18th – Wednesday 20th) at Olympia, London. The line-up includes tastings from 2015 IWSC President, Australian Winemaker Neil McGuigan, and BBC2’s Food & Drink wine expert, Joe Wadsack.
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Notes to Editors
For further information or images, please contact Cecilia Hocking or Chloe Rowley at touch pr on 020 8544 6900 or email cecilia@touch-pr.co.uk/chloe@touch-pr.co.uk
IWSC
- Established in 1969, The International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) was the first competition of its kind, set up to seek out, reward and promote the world’s best wines, spirits and liqueurs. Now in its 46th year, The IWSC’s relentless pursuit of excellence underpins every aspect of the competition today
- What sets the IWSC apart is the formidable reputation of its judging process. Our panels of carefully selected industry experts comprise Masters of Wine, buyers, sommeliers, WSET qualified educators and respected wine journalists. Every single wine is assessed on its own merits within the context of its class
- Its panels of carefully selected industry experts comprise Masters of Wine, buyers, sommeliers, WSET qualified educators and respected wine journalists. Every single wine is assessed on its own merits within the context of its class
- Currently receiving entries from around 90 countries, the IWSC is truly international in its reach and recognition
- IWSC partners around the world work throughout the year to drive awareness and promote winners to both trade and consumer audiences
- With 46 years heritage, an IWSC Award is recognised internationally as a badge of quality
- For the list of Northern Hemisphere winners or more information, visit: www.iwsc.net
THE TOP WINNING ENGLISH WINES
- Gusbourne Estate Blanc de Blanc 2007 LD is available to buy at SRP £59.99
o Stockists include: Selfridges, Fortnum and Mason and Wright Wine Company
- Gusbourne Estate Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs 2010 is available to buy at SRP £37.99
o Stockists include: Berry Bros, Wine Pantry and Lea and Sandeman.
- Nutbourne Sussex Reserve 2013 is available to buy at RRP £10.80
o Stockists include: The Shed Restaurant, Notting Hill; Rabbit Restaurant, Chelsea; The Wine Pantry, Borough Market; Pallant, Arundel; Mason and
o Mason, Chichester; Grapes of Worthing; English Wine Centre; The Exceptional English Wines Company, Midhurst and Harveys of Lewes
- Black Dog Hill’s 2011 Vintage Classic Cuvee will be released on May 31st 2015
o To pre-order contact: info@blackdoghill.com
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