 | South East Wine of the Year Awards 2010 Announced! |
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Press release – South East Wine of the Year Awards 2010 Date of press release: 15th June 2010 Ceremony date: 8th June 2010 A record number of medals were awarded this year in the annual South East Wine of the Year Competition. Andy Howard, Chief Wine Buyer for Marks and Spencer, led a team of four specialist wine industry professionals to judge the best English wines in Sussex, Surrey and Kent. Tasting alongside him were Patricia Stefanowicz MW, Lindsay Oram and Sue Daniels. Nearly 60 entries were received, of which 75% were awarded a medal in the Highly Commended,Bronze, Silver and Gold categories. Winning wines were submitted from a diverse range of vineyards from the SE region, including large producers such as Ridgeview, Chapel Down and Biddenden Vineyards alongside smaller producers such as Bluebell and Nutbourne, and even amateurs, who also won medals. The ceremony, held at Denbies Wine Estate on 8th June 2010 was a great success, attended by a record number of winemakers, vineyard owners and related professionals. Andy Howard said he felt that English wines have gone from strength to strength, improving year on year, and was encouraged by the quality of the wines and the number of entries. The judges selected 9 of the best wines to taste during the meal. The top wine this year was Gusbourne Estate Classic Blend 2006, a sparkling white from a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier made by winemakers Michael and Simon Roberts of Ridgeview Wine Estate. Vineyard owner Andrew Weeber collected the South East Wine of the Year trophy to applause. Runners up, and winners of the Charles Laughton trophy, were Bluebell Vineyards, whose winemaker Kevin Sutherland (from Plumpton College)collected the award for their sparkling Blanc de Blancs 2006. Please see results attached. For more information on this event, and on the SEVA in general, contact: Lila Hunnisett SEVA Administrator southeastvineyards@googlemail.com or go to www.seva.uk.com |
