England
2015: Gold 2 Silver 4 Bronze 1 Commended 3
2014: Gold 1 Silver 1 Bronze 0 Commended 2
When New World winemakers start wittering on about cool-climate viticulture, English winemakers must feel a bit like Paul Hogan in Crocodile Dundee. ‘That’s not cool climate,’ they should say, then gesture to vineyards shivering in a British summer. ‘This is cool climate…’
The 2012 weather did for Britain’s entry last year, but in 2015, we had a range of good whites (and a good red, too!) from the more clement 2013 vintage. High medals for Pinot Blancs, Pinot Gris, Bacchus, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir suggests that there’s more to this sceptred isle than bubbles. Well worth watching – we await 2014’s wines with bated breath.
From the Tasting Teams
‘Both our Golds were very different styles. They didn’t shout out “English”, they shouted out being nice wines worth talking about on a list.’ Roger Jones, The Harrow at Little Bedwyn
‘Stylistically, they’re very relevant: light, crisp and dry. You could say “try this, it’s English” and even among those different styles, they showed that light crispness. Pricing was steeper than we would have liked, but we understand why that is.’ Neil Bruce, Studio Alto
‘If you are running some sort of special English menu with English wine, or an English wine promotion, then this [Bolney Estate Pinot] could certainly sell.’ Richard Brooks, Caroline Catering