Supermarket wines shine at 2016 IWSC

The International Wine and Spirits  Competition (IWSC) has released the first tranche of results for 2016 from the Northern Hemisphere, comprising wines from France, Italy and Spain, with supermarket wines performing particularly well.

The annual IWSC awards banquet will take place on 16 November

For 2016, France led the Northern Hemisphere medal table with 37 Gold and 8 Gold Outstanding medals awarded by the IWSC’s international experts. However it was the supermarket own-label wines that shined brightest.

Within the Champagne category a Gold medal was awarded to Tesco finest* Vintage Champagne 2009, and a Silver Outstanding medal to its Tesco finest* Premier Cru Champagne NV, which carries an RRP of just £10.

Waitrose picked up a Gold Outstanding medal for its Brut Champagne NV, currently priced at £18, while Marks and Spencer were awarded a Gold medal for its Vintage Abel Charlot 2005.

Lidl also scored highly receiving a Silver Outstanding medal for its Champagne Bissinger Premier Cru NV, which judges felt had “gorgeous elegance”. While Aldi’s Silver Outstanding winner, Philippe Michel Crémant du Jura, demonstrated France’s ability to produce great sparkling wines outside of France.

The NV Champagne trophy was awarded to Champagne Le Brun de Neuville for their Cuvée Lady de N. Chardonnay NV, which was praised for its “appealing nose of baked apple and cream”. The Vintage Champagne trophy was awarded to Champagne de Saint Gall for their “smooth and creamy”, Orpale Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs 2002.

Within the Sherry category Marks and Spencer received a  Gold Outstanding medal for its Manzanilla as well as its Rare Pedro Ximinez, as well as the Sherry Trophy for its Very Rare Dry Olorosso, which was described by IWSC judges as “a brazier of roasting hazelnuts over sandalwood, candied citrus peel and a whiff of incense”.

“Once again the UK’s supermarket buyers have proved they are selecting top quality wines at affordable prices so consumers should be on the lookout for the IWSC medal on these products in store”, said Ewan Lacey, managing director at the IWSC of this first set of results.

The next result’s announcement from the IWSC will be on Wednesday, 27 July, when all spirits medals and trophy results will be announced.

• Rioja Trophy – Coto Real Rioja Reserve 2011 – El Coto de Rioja SA
• International Indigenous Grape Variety Trophy – Villa Gemma Rosso Antiprima Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC 2011 – Masciarelli Tenute Agricole S.R.L
• NV Champagne Trophy – Cuvée Lady de N. Chardonnay NV – Champagne Le Brun de Neuville
• Vintage Champagne Trophy – Orpale Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs 2002 – Champagne de Saint Gall
• Madeira Trophy – Blandy’s 1979 Verdelho – Blandy’s Madeiras Lda
• Sherry Trophy – Marks & Spencer Very Rare Dry Oloroso – Marks & Spencer plc
• Port Trophy – Cálem Porto Colheita 1961 – Sogevinus Fine Wines
• Prosecco Trophy – Mionetto Cartizze DOCG Luxury NV – Mionetto S.P.A.
• Cava Trophy – Vallformosa Cava Classic Brut Rose 2014 – Masia Vallformosa SA

A full list of winners can be found at www.iwsc.net. Trophies will be awarded at the IWSC Awards Banquet on Wednesday 16th November.