The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Toast medal-winners with winners of medals
Sam Wylie-Harris parades some award-scooping wines to raise a glass to the Summer Olympic Games
While Team GB is preparing for the Rio Olympics in the hope of winning a cache of medals, wine competitions have been handing out a stack of silverware to the makers behind some of the world’s finest tipples.
Judging panels for The Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) and International Wine Challenge (IWC) have spent weeks behind closed doors meticulously tasting wines blind – swirling, sniffing and swishing.
Thousands of wines are entered into the competitions (more than 16,000 for Decanter) and after comparing notes, retasting and scoring, the finalists have their chance to shine and add their names to the medal table.
Basking in glory, here are some podium winners that impressed the greatest palates in the world and now sport a trophy.
Vidal Fleury Cotes du Rhone 2013, France (£10.75, www.nywines. co.uk) – Decanter Platinum Best in Category: Red Rhone under £15.
A classic southern Rhone red with a fetching cherry-esque bouquet, it is beautifully concentrated with a forest floor of spiced black fruit and fine tannins entwined with black pepper. Compulsively drinkable.
M Signature Chablis Premier Cru 2013, France (£15, Morrisons) – IWC Gold.
With Chablis producers warning us of a reduced harvest for 2016 and inevitable price increases, this own label Premier Cru from Morrisons (voted Supermarket of the Year, IWC 2016) is a stunner and should be snapped up before it races off the shelves. A well-crafted mix of apple, melon and lemon with a discreet buttery finish.
Taylor’s 20-Year-Old Tawny Port, Portugal (£34.24, 75cl, www. thedrinkshop.com) – Decanter Gold.
Port is often thought of as the last wine of the night but this aged tawny can be served lightly chilled as an appetiser to enjoy with Parmesan or manchego cheese.
A fortified wine that’s fit for summer sipping, it has a spicy, raisiny character with a nutty note and honeyed finish.
Extra Special El Meson Rioja Gran Reserva 2008, Spain, (£9.98, Asda) – IWC Gold.
A Gold winner for the third year running, this Rioja is a rhapsody of vivid ripe fruits, sweet spices, vanilla and toasty caramel that really shines through. Simply gorgeous and unbeatable value.
Chateau de Berne Rose, right, 2015, Provence, France (£13.99 or £9.99 mixed case of six, now until August 1, Majestic) – Decanter Gold.
With a striking square-shaped bottle, this ravishing rose hails from the vineyards of Chateau de Berne, a boutique hotel in one of the prettiest parts of Provence.
A ballet slipper pink that is perfectly poised, the red fruits are coated in a creamy freshness with crisp acidity on the graceful finish.