RAISE A GLASS

If you read me on a regular basis, you’ll know I like to point you in the direction of wines which have a thumbs-up, and to supermarkets which have won a gong or two.

It’s the time of year when the team at the International Wine Challenge announces its annual awards.

Here we go then, some wines to look out for when you’re doing the Big Shop.

Tesco came out top in the 2022 awards with four own-label gold medal winners:

The red wine Tesco Finest Montepulciano D’abruzzo 2019 (£7); sherry Tesco Finest Pedro Ximénez (£6); Tesco Finest 10 Year Old Tawny Port (£12.50) and Tesco Vermouth Rosso (£5.75).

Great prices for award winners if you ask me!

Also picking up own-label gold medals

were Aldi’s Specially Selected Crémant de Limoux Rose (£6.49); and two sherries, Morrisons The Best Oloroso (£6.25) and

Waitrose & Partners

Nº1 Manzanilla Pasada El Benito (£11.99).

Thousands of wines from more than 50 countries entered the challenge and were judged by an international panel of wine experts in a series of blind tastings last month.

Only the very best wines were rewarded with a medal.

Supermarkets triumphed in the Great Value Awards with seven recognised for the quality of their wines.

They include Marks & Spencer’s Graham Beck ‘The Rhona’ Brut Rosé (£14) which won the IWC Great Value Sparkling between £12 and £20; Co-op Irresistible Gavi di Gavi 2021 (£8.50) and the winner of the IWC Great Value White between £8 and £12; and Asda Extra Special Marques Del Norte Rioja Gran Reserva 2015 (£11.50) and IWC Great Value Red between £8 and £12.

Here’s another nod to Tesco, and one of my favourite white wines: Tesco Finest Tingleup Riesling 2021 (£9) which was the IWC Great Value White between £8 and £12.

The full list of award winners in the 2022 International Wine Challenge can be seen online at internationalwinechallenge.com.

The IWC 2022 Champions, which are selected following a re-tasting of all trophy-winning wines, will be revealed in July.

Jane is a member of the Circle of Wine Writers. Find her on social media and online as One Foot in the Grapes.