Devon sparkling wine wins top industry prize
A DEVON vineyard is celebrating after its English Sparkling Classic Cuvee 2018 picked up second gold medal this week in the annual Independent English Wine Awards (IEWA).
The coveted gold went to just nine sparkling wines out of 51 produced across the country, with judges calling it: “A youthful, exuberant, classic English fizz.” And: “Lovely, [with] delicate elegance – absolutely delicious”. The competition is consumer-focused and independent, with 23 judges sitting on four panels to complete the blind tasting process.
Swanaford’s Classic Cuvee is made with the vineyards’ own-grown Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, in the traditional method, from grapes harvested in 2018.
The award is good news for Devon which is fast building a reputation for producing great sparkling and still wines, and it is the second gold medal awarded to Swanaford, which picked up the top award last year for their Brut
Sparkling Rosé 2018. The vineyard is situated in the Teign Valley, seven miles from Exeter, and is owned and managed by Ben and Caroline Goulden who planted the vineyard in 2013.
Judging took place at the historic Avery’s Wine Merchants in Bristol on Saturday September 4 with a panel made up of some of the country’s leading wine experts, wine makers and journalists including broadcaster and journalist Susy Atkins, top sommelier Elly Owen and Liam Steevenson MW.
Owner and wine-maker Ben Goulden said: “To win Gold at the IEWA awards two years running is a dream come true. We put so much work and passion into the vineyard and it’s completely brilliant to have that recognised in the wines we have taken from vine to bottle.
“We are very proud to make wine in Devon and to be among a raft of great vineyards putting the region on the map.”