The Sommelier Wine Awards 2013 were a great success
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Found 11 wines
Value and food-friendliness set this wine apart from the start. It has an elegant blend of savoury notes, alongside peppery raspberries and spicy Christmas fruits, plus balanced acidity and medium tannins. While it stole the Roast Chicken Food Match gong, there were calls also for pork belly.
£6.64 Hatch Mansfield
Great Chardonnay flavours at a bargain price won this not just the poached salmon Food Match gong, but also a coveted place on the By the Glass list.'Very attractive and appealing flavours, this is lively, zingy with a nice finish,' said Caroline Caterings's Richard Brooks.'Peachy and slightly nutty but without any heavy oak influence,' said team leader Angela Reddin.
£6.60 Boutinot
One of the most garlanded wines of 2013, and for good reason.'Ripe red fruits and hints of mint on the nose lead to a juicy palate with nice supporting tannins,' said Louise Gordon of The Rib Room.'An attractive colour with young, pinky rim, it is easy drinking but with enough stature for a variety of foods,' said Richard Brooks of Caroline Catering.
£5.10 Boutinot
Many wines attempted to be the scallops partner in our Food Match round, but this was the one. Half the price of some of its rivals, but double the quality.'Mandarin and a hint of minerality on the nose, there's a bit of spice and warmth to the palate, textured and weighty as it it,' said Viajante's Christophe Richelet.'Pinot Blanc-esque, this has nice floral notes and a properly vinous character. Makes you come back for a second glass!' said Martin Lam of Ransome's Dock. And we did.
£5.29 Majestic Commercial
With its enchanting aromas, seductive texture and sweetly spiced finish, it's no wonder this well-priced Verdicchio stole our judges' hearts. From ripe pineapple and honeydew melon to orange blossom and hints of aniseed, the flavours intrigue. The well-balanced palate is pleasantly herbaceous, with medium acidity. From roast chicken to grilled sardines to going solo, this wine will never be without fans.
Not one, but two Food Match gongs for this exceptionally priced wine – Margherita pizza and mushroom risotto, since you ask – illustrates how versatile Chilean Pinot Noir can be in the right hands.'Fresh with typical Chilean purity, yet restrained with fresh bright, red fruit, vibrancy and crunch. Delicious,' said a happy team leader, Peter McCombie MW. ‘A pretty wine and a very enjoyable by-the-glass introduction to the good value Pinot that cooler climate Chile can offer. Try this with a lamb shank or ossobuco,’ said Michael Moore of Enigma 88.
£5.38 CyT UK
Sheer depth of zesty flavours won this the Thai Prawn Curry Food Match gong as well as Gold. Exotic floral notes of jasmine and elderflower mix with ripe stone fruits, Bramley apple, grated lime and petrolly, rubberband aromas on the nose. The medium-bodied palate shows a slightly waxiness, with honeyed flesh and limey notes.'Very poised and confident, this has lovely length and balance,' said team leader Angela Reddin, while Stefano D'Andrea of Maze felt this had 'good ageing potential'.
£8.07 Babich Wines UK
'Well-balanced, vibrant and refreshing.' said Irina Atanasova of Jamie Oliver's Fifteen of one of 2013's most garlanded wines. The complex nose shows floral notes alongside quince, apple, citrus peel, gooseberry, capsicum and grass, flavours which follow through to a beautifully textured palate. Whether served by the glass, or with food – think shellfish, crab, lightly spiced Asian dishes – this is 'delicious and classy', said Athila Roos of The Arts Club.
£8.41 New Generation Wines
The Terroir Hunter was one of two polished Syrahs to bag the coveted steak Food Match, and with its smoky, tarry persona, that was perhaps not that surprising. A complex bouquet of violets, roses, red berries and hints of mint, lead through to a spicy palate with good minerality, medium tannins and juicy red fruit.'Very Limarí,' said Martin Lam of Ransome's Dock.
£9.48 González Byass
Good as an aperitif but also with sufficient tang and body to match food, as shown by its Fish & Chips Food Match gong.'Good mousse and an elegant nose of apples, pears and citrus fruit with creamy brioche, there's a hint of sweetness on the palate, with ripe apples and well balanced acidity,' said Laura Ward of Vivat Bacchus.'Slightly peppery with delicate minerality,' added Coq d'Argent's Olivier Marie.
£15.00 Jenkyn Place Vineyard
Hugely versatile wine, with a breadth that appealed widely and a worthy winner of not one but two Food Match gongs.'Aromas of prune, kirsch and jammy blueberry leaves space for a touch of liquorice and dried lavender that gives elegance,' said an inspired Marco Adreani of The Pass at South Lodge. With its youthful, chunky fruit and firm ripe tannins, this has some life ahead of it.
£11.99 Matthew Clark