We’ve done it again!

Competition Director, Chris Losh, having handed us the award for the second year running, asked just how we manage to present such fantastic value, year after year. He added that with over 75% of our entries falling under £12, “the nearest competition were mere dots in Boutinot’s rear view mirror”.

There’s no short answer to Chris’s question, (and I might pass on writing up the long answer today), but for now, we feel chuffed to bits to be recognised for something that is at the centre of everything we do.

21 Golds, 49 Silvers and 5 Extra Awards…

Highlighted from the Gold medal haul were 5 wines given extra awards:

• Les Volets Malbec, 2017 was awarded a ‘By the Glass’ trophy, identified by wine writer Christopher Cooper as a ‘superior house wine or by-the-glass option’.
• Brisa de Verano Garnacha Tinta won a ‘Pub and Bar’ trophy, praised for offering ‘lots of soft squashy summer berries, refreshing acidity and a very soft, gentle finish’ by Angela Reddin.
• Laura Rhys MS praised Terrazze Della Luna, Pinot Grigio Rosato, Vigneti Delle Dolomiti, 2018 as an impressive ‘aperitif wine, juicy and soft, with red fruits’ resulting in both ‘By the Glass’ and ‘Pub and Bar’ trophies.

The jewel in this year’s SWA crown, however, must be Kloster Eberbach Estate Pinot Noir, 2016 which was awarded the ‘Critics’ Choice’ trophy. The River Cafe’s Mattia Mazzi thought it ‘vibrant, elegant and charming’, and an ideal match for ‘terrine or a cheese board’.

Congratulations to all winning producers and winemakers!