Winning Wines

Winning Wines

A number of Hampshire’s vineyards are celebrating after receiving medals in the recent Independent English Wine Awards (The IEWA).

The Independent English Wine Awards (The IEWA), England’s only independent national wine competition, held its second annual judging at the historic Rummer Hotel, Bristol on 17 March 2018.

This year, 51 different producers from 22 counties across England submitted wines into the competition, which amounted to a total of 88 English wines.

The competition awarded 13 gold medals, 28 silver medals and 31 bronze medals. Hampshire has every reason to be proud with four of the gold medals going to Cottonworth, Hattingley Valley, Jenkyn Place and Laverstoke Park. A further three silver medals were awarded to Exton Park, Cottonworth and Three Choirs and two additional bronze medals were presented to Three Choirs.

Jody Scheckter, owner of Laverstoke Park Farm and vineyard commented on the announcement: “We are really thrilled to have won a gold medal. We’ve had many comments that it was fantastic , I definitely believe the biodynamic grapes all from our vineyard  has made some of the difference. We look forward to releasing our 2013 Sparkling Rosé and Brut Reserve later this year, we have every hope they will be just as great.”

The 18-person judging panel was chaired by Master of Wine Liam Steevenson, and sub-chaired by winemaker Ben Hulland, Champagne buyer Alex Schuster and drinks writer Cherry Constable, with panel members drawn from across the wine spectrum, from merchant, to broadcaster, to knowledgeable consumer. 

Judging was carried out by blind tasting, with scoring submitted via a digital platform, with gold medals then tasted again by the panel chairs to verify results and establish ‘trophy’ wines for both sparkling and still.   

Judging panel chair Liam Steevenson MW noted of English wine: “What cannot be disputed anymore is that England and its talented group of enthusiastic producers are creating wines that compete in style and quality with anything the rest of the world can offer.  We are without doubt a wine producing nation!

Event founder, Bristol-based marketer Alexander Taylor commented: “These results really show off the diverse capability of English wine. They show that we’re making compelling wine all over the country, still and sparkling, using a range of grapes and styles - a fantastically broad offering to consumers; Cornwall to Hampshire, Staffordshire to Sussex - medal winning wine is being made all across England.”

A number of Hampshire’s Vineyards are coming together on Sunday 22nd July at Raimes Vineyard where they will offer tastings and an opportunity to buy. There will be vineyard tours and masterclasses. This unique event is an opportunity to meet the producers and discover more about Hampshire’s wine industry. Find out more.

Discover more about hampshire's vineyards:

Hattingley Valley
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Hattingley Valley

Multi award-winning, Hattingley Valley specialise in producing delicious sparkling wines in the traditional method.

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