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Winner Details

Other Sparkling Rosé

2016 Gold: 2 Silver: 5 Bronze: 5 Commended: 9
2015 Gold: 4 Silver: 7 Bronze: 4 Commended: 9

After two years of non-champagne pinks outperforming their more famous French counterparts, this year it was back to earth – if not with a bump, then at least with a resigned sigh.

This was very much a performance of two halves, with the English rosés performing well and providing most of the moments of quality (and both Golds), while Italy and the lone Kiwi pink filled in with some useful Silvers and Bronzes. Not a lot of love from the tasters, for the most part, though the prices compare reasonably well with Champagne for the most part.

FROM THE TASTING TEAMS

‘It’s safe to say that sparkling rosé outside champagne and the UK is struggling to find wines with character and balance – there were rubbery reductive notes whereas it should be about bright fruit and easy drinking pleasure.’ Natasha Hughes MW, team leader

‘Some were better than others. Quality was decidedly variable.’ James Hocking, The Vineyard Group

‘[The Harrow & Hope rosé] would suit a wine bar with a terrace outside. It’s good value for money.’ Ned Neville-Rolfe, Vinoteca King’s Cross

Award winners

Found 10 wines

Sparkling: Rosé, excluding Champagne

Bisol, Jeio, Cuvée Rosé -1, Veneto, Italy

'Wild berry with rose and cassis aromas and a light peppery character,' said Andre Luis Martins of The Cavalry and Guards Club, applauding the 'rich, elegant finish'. Team leader Natasha Hughes MW picked up floral and spicy aromas, also noting 'simple, brisk, with well-defined, red berry fruit', while Tanguy Martin of La Trompette found it 'soft and gentle with peach stone and red berries'.

£10.42 Bibendum

Akarua, Brut Rosé -1, Bannockburn, Central Otago, New Zealand

While team leader Sam Caporn MW noted this wine's 'pale colour', describing it as 'light, fresh, dry and long', James Hocking of The Vineyard Group found it to have a 'delicate, fine quality', saying: 'Great length and depth with a fine, persistent mousse, and showing good balance between fruit and acidity.'

£15.96 Liberty Wines

Cleto Chiarli, Vecchia Modena, Premium Lambrusco di Sorbara 2014, Emilia-Romagna, Italy

Team leader Tom Forrest found it 'straightforward, with cranberry and raspberry fruit and a sherbet sweetness to the finish', while Vinoteca's Zigmars Grinbergs said: 'Fresh and even, it's simple but it works.'

£10.82 Enotria&Coe

Ceci, Otello 1813, Rosé -1, Emilia-Romagna, Italy

'Vibrant and lively!' began James Hocking of The Vineyard Group, highlighting its 'clean and fresh, strawberry-raspberry flavours', while Emilie Sagot of The Sign of the Don noted its 'good acidity and fruity finish'.

£11.70 Eurowines

Revino, Donna Trevigiana, Raboso -1, Treviso, Italy

'Good, bright colour, with aromas of squashed strawberry fruit, this has a good balance with some residual sugar and acids,' said team leader Sam Caporn MW, adding: 'Nicely commercial.'

£8.18 Cockburn & Campbell

Costaripa, Mattia Vezzola, Metodo Classico Brut Rosé -1, Lombardy, Italy

'Fresh, balanced and lively, with a firm and persistent mousse,' said James Hocking of The Vineyard Group, adding: 'Lengthy finish, well made with good fruit and acid balance.'

£15.69 Alivini