RAISE A GLASS
IT’S that time of year when the International Wine Challenge announces its latest award-winners and I’m always keen to check them out and share them with you. I could wax lyrical about lots of the winning wines, but for the purposes of this space I’ll point you in the direction of a handful.
I’m thinking “I told you so” with Tesco Finest Premier Cru Champagne (£19.99) which scooped a gold medal. Judges said it had “vibrant, crisp acidity layered well with brioche and honeyed weight”. It was my Best Buy out of all the supermarket fizz I tried for the festive season last year. Tesco also won gold for Tesco Finest Chablis Premier Cru 2015 (RRP £15).
It took me all of an hour to rush to Asda when I saw that the Extra Special Selection Marlborough
Pinot Noir 2014 (£8.50) had won a gold medal. Now then – here’s a thing. I couldn’t get hold of the 2014 vintage in my store, the vintage wasn’t available and perhaps it has sold out. I bought the 2016, which isn’t the awardwinner but it is still a beautiful wine and great value too.
The judges described the 2014 as having “intense perfumed aromas, red fruit and floral notes”. If sherry is your thing you
should head down to Waitrose which won no less than six gold medals for its fortified wines, including González Byass Matusalem Cream VORS 30 YO
(£19.99 for 37.5cl). There were gold medals at Waitrose for seven reds, four whites, and three sparkling wines including Cornwall’s Camel Valley Pinot Noir Rosé Brut 2015 (£29.99). Morrisons also celebrated gold with three own-brand sherries
Morrisons The Best Oloroso, Morrisons The Best Palo Cortado and Morrisons The Best Pedro Ximenez, all £6 for 37.5cl. Staying in Spain it won gold for the rioja Morrisons The Best Marques De Los Rios Rioja Gran Reserva 2011 (£12). Marks & Spencer won gold for three whites and a red – Marks &
Spencer Ascheri Langhe Arneis 2017 (£13.50), Marks & Spencer Domaine Pierre de Prehy Chablis 2016 (£15.50);
and Darting Estate Durkheimer Riesling 2016
(£10.50). The red was Colomé Altitude Blend Malbec Cabernet Franc Tannat 2015
(£12.50).
In all, over 900 medals were awarded to wines available in supermarkets, including 50 gold medals, 351 silver and 512 bronze. To check them out go to internationalwinechallenge.com
Also in my glass…
It has been my first afternoon of the year sitting outside enjoying the rays with a glass (or two?) of wine. These two were our companions: Dark Horse Rosé (RRP
£8.50, widely available, 12.5% abv) is a Californian wine, ripe and tasty with strawberries, red berries and creamy notes. It is a blend of grenache, barbera, pinot grigio, tempranillo and zinfandel.
My second pink, Peter Yealands Sauvignon Blanc
Rosé (RRP £9.99 Waitrose, 12.5% abv), is elegant, with red berries and a floral subtlety with a mineral edge. I visited Yealands in New Zealand and it’s amazing; so I’m happy to tell you that the producer is offering four pairs of tickets for a 10-day trip to New Zealand to see their vineyards in action. Check out neck collars on bottles up to May 28.
Jane is a member of the Circle of Wine Writers. Find her online as One Foot in the Grapes.