Almost every bottle of English and Welsh wine entered in the Decanter World Wine Awards 2012 succeeded in gaining a medal or commendation. This result made the UK the most successful region, judged by the percentage of entries winning a medal in the international competition, comfortably beating Old and New world producers.
Eighty-nine percent of English and Welsh wines won a medal in the competition, which attracted 14,120 wines this year. The best mainstream producer was New Zealand which achieved 92%. The October issue of influential consumer wine magazine Decanter contains the results which showed some 85 medals and commendations made to some 95 English and Welsh wine bottles entered.
Decanter’s managing editor Amy Wislocki is convinced that English and Welsh wine’s success at the awards reflects significant advances in the standards of wine grown and produced in the UK. She says: “In my view, this is an achievement that UK growers can be very proud of and a reflection of the huge increase in quality – particularly in sparkling wines – that we have seen over the past few years.
“There is a common perception among consumers that English sparkling wine is somewhat of a curiosity, and should be priced at a level lower than Champagne. These results demonstrate that it is a category to be taken seriously, and the best sparkling wines – such as the Trophy-winning Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs 2007 – can more than hold their own against Champagnes.”
Chenin Blanc on the podium
While France triumphed with six International Trophies, closely followed by Chile with five, China is again on the winner’s podium with the Red Bordeaux Varietal Under £10 Trophy for Chateau Reifeng-Auzias Cabernet 2010.
Highlights of the awards included:
- The most successful grape was Chenin Blanc
- The most successful region was the UK
- Since the Awards’ debut in 2004 there has been little, or no, variance in the percentage of wines winning medals
- In 2004 there were 4,500 entries, a number that has increased by an average 20% every year
- The most-entered grape is – unsurprisingly – Chardonnay, with 1,338 wines. That is followed by Syrah/Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc
- France and Australia dominate the Chardonnay winners, while New Zealand heads the list of the most successful mainstream regions with 92% of entries winning a medal
Wislocki’s readers may have international tastes but are displaying a growing appreciation of English and Welsh wine. A recent Decanter poll – asking whether readers would consider English sparkling as good as Champagne – saw more than half respondents say they rate English versions as good as Champagne while further quarter suggested that English sparkling has potential to match Champagne.
Wislocki says: “Achieving 89% is a considerable achievement. Often only Sherry, Maderia and Port reach that level of success. This however is an incredible achievement for straight wine.
She admits to a knowledge and liking of English and Welsh wine, saying: “I would like to drink more of it. I enjoy Bacchus and Ortega varieties. I enjoy white wine but have yet to be convinced about red wine, especially in relation to its price.”
Wines from 28 English and Welsh vineyards were entered into the awards.
Awards and commendations for English and Welsh wine
Decanter World Wine Awards 2012
GOLD
Camel Valley Pinot Noir Brut 2010
Hush Heath Estate Balfour Brut Rosé 2008
SILVER
Ancre Hill Estates Sparkling 2008
Breaky Bottom Cuvée Francine 2007
Chapel Down Marks & Spencer Sparkling Rosé NV
Chapel Down Three Graces 2008
Denbies Wine Estate Noble Harvest 2011
Furleigh Estate Bacchus Fumé 2010
Furleigh Estate Classic Cuvée 2009
Gusbourne Estate Rosé 2008
Henners Reserve 2009
Henners Vintage 2009
Hush Heath Estate Balfour Brut Rosé 2009
Jenkyn Place Vineyard Rosé 2008
Nyetimber Classic Cuvée 2007
Nyetimber Rosé 2008
Plumpton Estate The Dean Blush NV
Ridgeview Grosvenor 2009
Ridgeview Victoria Rosé 2009
Sharpham Vineyard Sparkling 2009
Strawberry Hill Vineyard Premier Sparkling 2008
BRONZE
Bluebell Vineyard Estates Hindleap Blanc de Blancs 2009
Bolney Wine Estate Cuvée Rosé 2009
Bolney Wine Estate Pinot Noir 2011
Breaky Bottom Cuvée Alexandre Schwatschko 2008
Breaky Bottom Cuvée Princess Colonna 2008
Brightwell Vineyard Crispin 2010
Camel Valley Annie’s Anniversary 2009
Camel Valley Bacchus 2011
Camel Valley Brut 2010
Camel Valley Darnibole Bacchus 2011
Camel Valley Darnibole Bacchus 2010
Camel Valley Pinot Noir Brut 2009
Camel Valley White Pinot 2009
Chapel Down Blanc De Blancs 2007
Chapel Down Marks & Spencer Sparkling Reserve Brut NV
Chapel Down Pinot Reserve 2005
Chapel Down Pinot-Chardonnay 2006
Chapel Down Rosé Brut NV
Chapel Down Tenterden Estate Bacchus Reserve 2010
Coates & Seely Blanc De Blancs NV
Coates & Seely Rosé NV
Davenport Vineyards Limney Blanc de Blancs 2007
Davenport Vineyards Limney Horsmonden 2010
Denbies Wine Estate Sainsburys Taste The Difference Sparkling Brut 2007
Gusbourne Estate Brut Reserve 2007
Jenkyn Place Vineyard 2008
Litmus Wines Element 20 2010
Meopham Valley Rosé 2009
Oatley Vineyard Leonora’s 2010
Plumpton Estate The Dean Brut NV
Ridgeview Bloomsbury 2009
Ridgeview Cavendish 2009
Ridgeview Knightsbridge 2009
Ridgeview Marksman 2009
Ridgeview South Ridge Blanc de Noirs 2009
Ridgeview South Ridge Brut 2009
Ridgeview South Ridge Rosé 2009
Sharpham Vineyard Dart Valley Reserve 2010
Sharpham Vineyard Sparkling Pink 2009
Tesco English White 2011
Three Choirs Vineyards Blanc De Noir 2009
Wickham Vineyard Special Reserve 2009
Wissett Wines Gloriana Brut Rosé 2009
REGIONAL
Gusbourne Estate Blanc De Blancs 2007
COMMENDED
Ancre Hill Estates Pinot Noir 2009
Ancre Hill Estates Sparkling Rosé 2008
Bluebell Vineyard Estates Hindleap Brut Rosé 2009
Bluebell Vineyard Estates Hindleap Classic Cuvée 2009
Bluebell Vineyard Estates Hindleap Seyval Blanc 2008
Camel Valley Rosé 2011
Chapel Down Bacchus Reserve 2010
Chapel Down Chardonnay 2010
Chapel Down Pinot Blanc 2010
Chapel Down Vintage Reserve Brut NV
Furleigh Estate Bacchus Dry 2010
Marks & Spencer English Rosé 2010
Sharpham Vineyard Bacchus 2010
Sharpham Vineyard Barrel Fermented 2010
Sharpham Vineyard Estate Selection 2010
Sharpham Vineyard New Release 2011
Sharpham Vineyard Rosé 2010
Sharpham Vineyard Summer Red 2010
Stopham Estate Pinot Gris 2010
Three Choirs Vineyards Annum 2011
Upperton Nebula 2009
