English & Welsh Wine of the Year Competition results: “Look out Loire and New Zealand, English Bacchus is on its way!”

Sparkling wines from the UK have been generating terrific press worldwide, but the latest results from the annual English & Welsh Wine of the Year Competition suggest that still wines, especially Bacchus whites, also run deep. No fewer than five of the main Trophies were awarded to Bacchus wines, and five of the 14 of Gold medals. Here are the Bacchus trophy winners:
Chapel Down Bacchus Reserve 2010 – The Wine Guild Trophy (Most outstanding large production vintage earlier than 2011) & The Tom Day Trophy (Most outstanding single varietal wine);
Camel Valley Bacchus 2011 – The English Wine Producers Dudley Quirk Memorial Trophy (Best Large Production);
New Hall Bacchus 2011 –The Berwick Trophy (Best unchaptalised wine)
Furleigh Estate Bacchus Fumé 2010 – The McNie Trophy (Most outstanding oaked white wine).
As for sparkling wines, the field was bigger than ever and trophies were awarded to:

Furleigh Estate Classic Cuvée 2009 – The Vintners’ Trophy (Most outstanding sparkling wine). 

Camel Valley Pinot Noir Rosé Brut 2010 – Trophy for Most Outstanding Sparkling Rosé Wine.

A still rosé scooped two awards, as did a sweet wine:

Sharpham Vineyard ‘Whole Berry’ Rosé 2011 – The Waitrose Rosé Trophy (most outstanding still rosé) and The Jack Ward Memorial Salver (most outstanding large production from 2011).

Denbies Estate Noble Harvest 2011 – The Stefanowicz Trophy (Most Outstanding Sweet Wine trophy ) and The President’s Trophy (Best Small Production).

For red wines, a Pinot Noir dominated the field – the trophy was awarded to Biddenden Vineyards Pinot Noir 2011.

From the 263 entries, 14 Gold, 88 Silver and 113 Bronze medals were awarded to new producers and regular award winners alike. Commenting on the competition, Chairman of Judges Susan McCraith MW said: “The results this year endorse the world class quality of our sparkling wines.  Sparkling rose, where the trend seems to be for very pale colours, is catching up with white sparkling and is right on trend for the UK market.  On the still wine front, once again Bacchus confirms itself as a signature grape variety for English and Welsh wines, capable of showing real concentration and finesse.  Look out Loire and New Zealand, English Bacchus is on its way!”

A full set of the results will shortly go online at www.englishwineproducers.com.