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Camel Valley winemaker tipped for top award
Cornish winery, Camel Valley, could see its winemaker, Sam Lindo, awarded the title of International Sparkling Wine Producer of the Year.
Lindo is the first English winemaker to ever be shortlisted for the award and will go up against two Champagne winemakers; Régis Camus of Charles Heidsieck and Laurent Fresnet of Champagne Henriot.
Lindo, who has been named UK Winemaker of the Year three times before, told the Daily Telegraph that being shortlisted was “fantastic” and said it would put his family’s vineyard, “on the map”.
Lindo told the Telegraph: “One of the two Champagne makers shortlisted for the award, Charles Heidsieck has already won it a few times.
“To knock him off his perch would be quite a coup. For an English wine to beat French Champagne houses would definitely cause quite a stir. It feels slightly ridiculous.”
English sparkling wine has already registered several successes in blind tastings with its French counterparts.
Camel Valley and Sussex-based winery Nyetimber caused a stir a few years ago when they beat several Champagnes in a blind tasting in Italy.
Nyetimber’s 2003 was named the best sparkling wine overall, beating Bollinger and Louis Roederer into second and third place, while its 2001 was also listed in the top 10 as was Camel Valley’s Pinot Noir Brut.
The winner of the award will be announced at the International Wine Challenge dinner on 16 July.