Latest news with #2025InternationalWine&SpiritCompetition
Wales Online
14-06-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
10 award-winning supermarket wines you must try this summer — including a £7 bottle of red
10 award-winning supermarket wines you must try this summer — including a £7 bottle of red It turns out some of the world's best wines could be hiding in your local supermarket, according to the results of the 2025 International Wine & Spirit Competition Your favourite supermarkets sweeped at the International Wine & Spirit Competition (Image: Getty Images ) Summer is just around the corner, and with the warm weather and chock-a-block calendar often comes the need for a good glass (or bottle) of fine wine. Whether it's a cheap bottle of red or a snazzy bottle of champagne, UK supermarkets have got your back, as they swept up a load of medals with their own-brand drinks at the latest International Wine Awards. From Aldi and Tesco to Sainsbury's and M&S, all of your trusty supermarkets went head to head with wine producers from around the world and proved themselves to be some of the best. In one of the most competitive judging seasons yet, wines from your favourite household brands earned Gold, Silver and Bronze medals for their everyday-priced products. David Kermode, IWSC judge and broadcaster, shared: "These results are a wake-up call for anyone who still associates great wine with high prices." The best supermarket own-label ranges are now being made by some of the most respected producers in the world, and the blind tasting at IWSC proves just how well they perform." A £12 Tesco wine made the top 10 list (Image: Getty Images ) The top 10 supermarket wine winners In no particular order, here are 10 of the best supermarket wines that came out on top at the 2025 International Wine & Spirit Competition. 1. Aldi Animus Douro Reserva 2022 – £6.99 Article continues below This full-bodied Portuguese red received high praise for its richness and structure, coming out on top as one of the best-value medallists of this year's competition, with a silver win. 2. Co-op Les Pionniers Vintage Champagne 2013 - £22 This was the one and only supermarket Champagne to take the Gold, with its complex brioche and citrus notes, as a standout vintage in the category. 3. Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2022 - £16 One judge described this drink as "impressively elegant", which helped to rank it as gold, thanks to its bold southern Rhône red made in partnership with top estates. 4. Tesco Finest Sauternes - £12 This drink is a classic French dessert wine that offers a luscious, honeyed fruit, sitting at half the price of its château equivalents. 5. M&S Collection Saint Gall Premier Cru Champagne NV - £28 Made in partnership with a historic grower in Épernay, this champagne offers an elegant, chalky feel that is finely textured. Two selections from M&S made the top 10 list (Image: Mirrorpix ) 6. Asda Extra Special Rioja Reserva 2019 - £8 The Asda fruit-filled wine was praised for its structure and ageing potential, alongside its classic vanilla, spice and red fruit Rioja profile. 7. Sainsbury's Taste the Difference English Bacchus 2023 - £9.50 This is a fresh and zesty white made right here in England and earned itself a silver ranking in a competitive aromatic white category. 8. M&S Collection Picpoul de Pinet 2023 - £9 When it comes to an ideal summer drink, this is your best friend as a crisp, coastal white from the Languedoc. 9. Waitrose No.1 English Sparkling Brut NV - £22.99 The unsurprising entry from Waitrose is one of the UK's most awarded sparkling wines, holding its own against Champagne. Article continues below 10. Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Barolo 2019 - £14 This Barolo is an accessible expression of Italy's king of wines and gained a silver award for its delicious dark cherry and rose petal notes. The CEO of the International Wine & Spirit Competition, Christelle Guibert, explained the significance of the supermarket wins. They shared: "At the IWSC, every wine is judged blind by a panel of experts from across the globe. What makes this year especially exciting is the number of affordable supermarket wines standing out alongside premium bottles. It's proof that great winemaking doesn't have to come with a luxury price tag."
Powys County Times
11-06-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
Award-winning Aldi, Co-op, Asda, Sainsbury's and Tesco wines
Shoppers can find some of the world's best wines in their local supermarket, according to the results of the 2025 International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC). From a £7 Portuguese red to a £22 vintage Champagne, UK supermarkets picked up dozens of top medals for their own-brand bottles, with wines from Aldi, Tesco, Sainsbury's, M&S, Co-op, Asda and Waitrose going head-to-head with fine wine producers from around the globe. In one of the most competitive judging seasons yet, wines from major UK grocers earned Gold, Silver and Bronze medals across every style, from English sparkling to Barolo, Rioja, and Sauternes – many at everyday prices. @uktoday_ Are there benefits to drinking red wine? I happily found out. 🍷 #uknews #redwine #winetimе #uknewsheadlines ♬ original sound - UKToday 🇬🇧 Newsquest Top medal winners from the IWSC 2025 Pop these award-winners in your trolley this weekend Aldi Animus Douro Reserva 2022 – Silver (94 points), £6.99 A full-bodied Portuguese red, praised for its richness and structure. One of the best-value medallists of the year. Asda Extra Special Rioja Reserva 2019 – Silver (94 points), £8 Classic vanilla, spice, and red fruit Rioja profile, praised for structure and ageing potential. M&S Collection Picpoul de Pinet 2023 – Silver (91 points), £9 A crisp, coastal white from the Languedoc – ideal summer drinking. Sainsbury's Taste the Difference English Bacchus 2023 – Silver (92 points), £9.50 A fresh, zesty white made in England, earning high praise in a competitive aromatic white category. Tesco Finest Sauternes (37.5cl) – Gold (92 points), £12 A classic French dessert wine, offering luscious, honeyed fruit for under half the price of château equivalents. Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Barolo 2019 – Silver (90 points), £14 An accessible expression of Italy's king of wines, delivering dark cherry and rose petal notes. Co-op Les Pionniers Vintage Champagne 2013 – Gold (95 points), £22 The only supermarket Champagne to win Gold. A standout vintage with complex brioche and citrus notes. Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2022 – Gold (95 points), £16 A bold southern Rhône red made in partnership with top estates, described by judges as 'impressively elegant.' M&S Collection Saint Gall Premier Cru Champagne NV – Gold (95 points), £28 Elegant, chalky, and finely textured – made in partnership with a historic grower in Épernay. Waitrose No.1 English Sparkling Brut NV – Silver (91 points), £22.99 One of the UK's most awarded sparkling wines, holding its own against Champagne. David Kermode, IWSC judge and broadcaster, says: "These results are a wake-up call for anyone who still associates great wine with high prices. "The best supermarket own-label ranges are now being made by some of the most respected producers in the world and the blind tasting at IWSC proves just how well they perform." Christelle Guibert, CEO of the IWSC, added: "At the IWSC, every wine is judged blind by a panel of experts from across the globe. What makes this year especially exciting is the number of affordable supermarket wines standing out alongside premium bottles. It's proof that great winemaking doesn't have to come with a luxury price tag." The International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) is widely regarded as the gold standard for wine and spirit quality. With entries judged blind by Masters of Wine, sommeliers, buyers and producers, its rigorous methodology ensures medals are awarded purely on taste and quality – with judges never seeing the bottle or label, eliminating all bias or visual influence.
Daily Record
03-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Small Scottish distillery wins international award for wood-fired drink
A small Lowlands distillery has won gold for its wood-fired unaged spirit, scoring 96 points for its depth, clarity and character. A small Scottish distillery tucked away in the Lowlands has struck gold on the international stage, quite literally. Moffat Distillery, based in Dumfries and Galloway, is celebrating a major milestone after its Moffat Moonshine scooped a prestigious gold medal at the 2025 International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC). The award comes just as the distillery prepares for its highly anticipated first whisky release. The unaged spirit, described by the distillery as a 'wood-fired, unaged spirit made entirely in Dumfries & Galloway ', earned an impressive 96 points, with judges praising its 'depth, clarity and character.' That's a remarkable result for what is essentially the debut offering from the fledgling distillery. 'This is a huge moment for our small team,' said founder Nick Bullard. 'Moffat Moonshine is where our journey begins, raw, honest and full of character. "We're proud it's been recognised on a global stage and we hope it puts our small but perfectly-formed corner of Scotland on the spirits map.' Moffat Distillery is no ordinary producer. It claims to be the first and only distillery in Scotland to heat its stills using wood fires, a method not seen in over 200 years. With an output of just 6,000 litres per year, the distillery prides itself on sustainable, small-scale production. Sharing their excitement in a social media post, the team wrote: 'We've just won a Gold medal! Our Moffat Moonshine has been recognised by the IWSC, a huge honour for our wee distillery. 'This is a win not just for us, but for everyone who's supported us along the way, from those who've shared a dram, to our brilliant partners at Crisp Malt, WHC Lab, and Camlachie Cooperage.' The award-winning Moffat Moonshine has been bottled at two strengths, 48.5% and a fiery cask strength of 61.25% ABV. Distilled in the open air, the team say each run carries its own unique character, with the spirit matured in ex-Oloroso Sherry casks for just seven months. 'Not wanting to drown our own spirit's character in sherry, we decided to bottle the fiery potion when we felt it was ready,' the distillery says on its website. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. While Moffat Moonshine has stolen the spotlight for now, the distillery is also no stranger to blended malts. In 2018, it released The Moffat Blended Malt Scotch, and more blends from its Local Dram series are on the way. These unique creations are developed in close collaboration with local people, drawing on regional culture, history, geography and language to produce a dram that truly reflects the character of its community. 'We create unique recipes,' the distillery explains. 'We source our spirit directly from producers, avoiding the secondary market, since consistency and authenticity of supply are vital to the brand.' All bottling is currently done under contract, and each blend is dressed in bespoke packaging designed by a local artist, echoing the spirit of the community behind it.
