30th June 2005

NATIONAL COMPETITION RESULTS REFLECT HIGH QUALITY IN ALL STYLES OF ENGLISH AND WELSH WINE

English sparkling wines once again proved themselves to be resounding winners in this year’s national competition, THE ENGLISH & WELSH WINE OF THE YEAR COMPETITION, which this year took place at Chilford Hall in Cambridgeshire. However there were also other interesting surprises which included a first gold medal for a dessert wine and a higher than ever number of awards overall.

In a year that saw a record number of entries, a higher proportion of gold and silver medals were awarded over previous years, reflecting the mounting quality of wines from England and Wales. Of the total 201 wines entered, 181 gained an award (13 gold, 50 silver, 76 bronze and 38 highly commended) equating to almost 90% award winners.

All the wines were judged to international standards by the judging team, led by Julian Brind MW, and included David Wrigley MW, Patricia Stefanowicz MW, Stephen Skelton MW, Maggie McNie MW and Anthony Foster MW. The wines were tasted over two days on 27th and 28th June.

It was once again the sparkling wines that proved their might, with Nyetimber Vineyard from Sussex proving an undisputed winner with all the wines they entered, including scooping The Gore-Browne Trophy – or Wine of the Year - for their Classic Cuvée 1999. This wine is currently widely-available through Majestic and many independents. Nyetimber owner Andy Hill commented: “I am absolutely over the moon that Nyetimber has once again won the Gore-Browne Trophy, as well as these many other terrific awards. We have always striven to produce the best and it is a great honour to have that acknowledged through this the national competition.”

Trophies were also awarded for the following categories:

The best wine of the previous year’s vintage – Camel Valley Bacchus 2004
The best wine of any other year’s vintage – Nyetimber Classic Cuvée 1999
The best sparkling wine - Nyetimber Classic Cuvée 1999
The best oaked white wine – Denbies Hillside Chardonnay 2003
The best wine produced in excess of 10,000 litres – Nyetimber Classic Cuvée 1999
The best wine produced in smaller quantities – Sharpham Pinot Noir 2003
The best red wine in the competition – Sharpham Pinot Noir 2003
The best single varietal wine – Nyetimber Première Cuvée Blanc de Blancs 1999 (Chardonnay)
The best still rosé wine – Camel Valley Cornish Rosé 2004

The award for best presented bottle was this year awarded to two wines, being one still and one sparkling: Davenport Vineyards Limney Estate 2000 (sparkling) and Down St Mary Yeo Vale. The accolade of Winemaker of the Year has been awarded to Owen Elias of English Wines Group – who is no stranger to this award, having won it some three times before.

Commenting on the competition, Julian Brind MW announced: “The quality of English and Welsh wines across all categories is getting better and better. Once again the sparkling wine category was one of the highlights of the competition, but it has been extremely pleasing to see some excellent reds, whites and rosés proving their quality in the line up as well.”

The President of the UKVA, Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, will present the certificates and trophies at the ceremony at the House of Lords on July 22nd.

- ENDS -

Please contact Julia Trustram Eve at EWP for more information, on 01536 772264 or e-mail: info@englishwineproducers.com
A full list of awards will be available on the English Wine Producers Website: www.englishwineproducers.com