English wines rake in record number of IWC 2016 golds

By Erin Smith

Published: 11 May, 2016

English wines continue to go from strength to strength and at this weeks English Wine Producers tasting 120 medals were awarded by the International Wine Challenge 2016.

English wines continue to go from strength to strength and at this weeks English Wine Producers tasting 120 medals were awarded to English wine producers by the International Wine Challenge 2016.

The record-breaking number of accolades surpassed last years 94 medals and only further solidifies England as top producer of sparkling and still wines.

"Our home-grown wines are getting better and better! I don't know if it's down to maturing vineyards, more experienced winemakers, or a changing climate, but the wines we see in the IWC improve with every year. Some winners come from familiar names, whose wines have shone before, some from people I've never heard of. It's very exciting! The top results, as usual, are for the sparkling wines, but there are seriously good still wines made as well," said Charles Metcalfe, Co-Chairman of the IWC.

Ten gold medals were awarded along with 57 silver and 53 bronze medals.

Sussex-based Nyetimber picked up two gold accolades for its Blanc de Blanc 2009 and its Classic Cuvver Magnum 2009 as well picking up a bronze medal for its non-vintage sparkling Rosé.

Wiston Estates, where Dermot Sugrue leads the winemaking efforts, picked up gold for its Blanc de Blancs 2010 as did Hart of Gold 2010.

Hambeldon Vineyard picked up gold for its Premiére Cuvée, as did Cottonworth Classic Cuvée NV and Surrey vineyard Denbies. Exton Park from the South Downs nabbed its first gold medal for its Pinot Meunier Rosé NV.

Camel Valley received the highest number of medals walking away with 12 medlas, eight were silver and four were bronze.

While many of the wines awarded were sparkling, English still wines also took home some medals. Ten silver and 18 bronze medals were awarded to English still wines.

Metcalfe said: "The south of England gets the top awards, but we have Silver medals for producers from Shropshire, Staffordshire and Oxfordshire, and Bronzes from East Anglia, Worcestershire and even Yorkshire. And two Silvers for red wines! This year's IWC confirms what we have known for a few years: we can be really proud of the top English wines. More medals than ever, and even higher quality."

Printer friendly version