UK’s only on-trade wine competition – the Sommelier Wine Awards

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Winner Details

New World Sparkling Wine

2015: Gold 2 Silver 3 Bronze 6 Commended 3
2014: Gold 0 Silver 6 Bronze 5 Commended 1

New World sparklers have been attracting more positive feedback in this competition of late, and they certainly made big strides this year, delivering both cheaper champagne-style wannabes and left-field weirdness at decent prices. Maybe not for everyone, but certainly worth a look if you’re after £25-on-a-list fizz that isn’t prosecco.

FOOTNOTE: This section also encompasses those that are red, frizzante (all colours), semi-sweet or with a lower abv.

From the Tasting Teams

‘It’s quite nice when they work with aromatic grapes. It’s something distinctive and in its own category.’ Giuseppe Longobardi, The Cross at Kenilworth

‘The problem with New World sparkling is where are they? I don’t think they can compete with the entry-level stuff or with champagne at the top end.’ Charles Van Wyk, FJB Hotels

‘I think a lot of people are looking for something different other than champagne these days, especially different grape varieties.’ Sandia Chang, Bubbledogs

Award winners

Found 11 wines

Sparkling: New World countries

Miolo, Brut Millésime 2011, Vale dos Vinhedos, Brazil, Other

Brazil takes to the podium, and there's not a football in sight! ‘Interesting, modern style, rich, but crisp and full of flavour,’ began Jeremie Guiraud of Lords of the Manor, with team leader Annette Scarfe MW adding: ‘Delicious, with well-integrated dosage, persistent mousse, citrus and cream notes on the palate, with redcurrants.’ 'Match with goats' cheese dishes,' recommended Charlotte Lamouroux of Le Pont de la Tour.

£13.81 Bibendum

Undurraga, Brut Royal -1, Leyda Valley, Chile

‘Great character, with wonderful white flower notes, this is excellent value and can rival lower-end Champagne,’ said Jeremie Guiraud of Lords of the Manor. ‘A more aromatic style, clear and fresh,’ added team leader Annette Scarfe MW.

£14.00 González Byass

Distell, Pongrácz, Brut -1, Western Cape, South Africa

‘Ripe stone fruit and sweet biscuit on the nose, the mousse is quite creamy, with good grapefruit and peardrop fruit presence on the palate. Quite complex for the money,’ said Gergely Barsi Szabó of Bread Street Kitchen.

£12.25 Matthew Clark

KWV, Laborie, Blanc de Blancs 2010, Western Cape, South Africa

‘Attractive, complex stone fruit aromas with slate minerality and grapefruit notes,’ began an impressed Charles Van Wyk of FJB Hotels: ‘Hints of toasted brioche, limey citrus and fine, elegant mousse. Refreshing, with a lingering citrus finish.’

£9.60 Bottle Green

Undurraga, Nature -1, Leyda Valley, Chile

‘Fresh apple on the nose, with a grassy, herbal palate along with notes of juicy peach. Great acidity and creamy mousse,’ began Sandia Chang of Bubbledogs, with Charles Van Wyk of FJB Hotels adding: ‘Plenty of tropical fruit, with a lemony acidity on the finish.’

£14.00 Viña Undurraga

Undurraga, Brut Supreme -1, Leyda Valley, Chile

‘Exotic fruit notes of pineapple and sultana, and very balanced,’ began Giuseppe Longobardi of The Cross at Kenilworth, with team leader Annette Scarfe MW adding: ‘Attractive citrus and lime, lovely brioche and toast.’

£20.00 Viña Undurraga

Brown Brothers, Sparkling -1, Victoria, Australia

While Jeremie Guiraud of Lords of the Manor found ‘beautiful zestiness’, team leader Annette Scarfe MW said: ‘Lots of toasty autolytic notes, some evolution, with colour and palate. Fresh acidity, persistent mousse, with complexity. Good value.’

£12.82 Bibendum

Cono Sur, Sparkling Brut -1, Bío-Bío Valley, Chile

‘This has good, persistent mousse, showing citrus and red fruit notes on the nose, an attractive style and good value for money,’ said team leader Annette Scarfe MW.

£5.49 CyT UK